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    Recipes » Side Dish

    Grilled Bok Choy

    Published: Jul 22, 2021 · Modified: Jun 28, 2022 by Marissa Stevens · 14 Comments

    Gluten FreeVegetarianVegan

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe
    Grilled Bok Choy on a platter.

    Lightly charred and drizzled with a spicy sauce bursting with Asian flavors, Grilled Bok Choy is a quick and easy side dish that just might steal the show at your dinner table this summer.

    Grilled Baby Bok Choy on a white platter.

    Bok choy may be a vegetable that you've never considered grilling. But I promise that if you try it once, you'll make it often. An excellent side dish for summer get-togethers and backyard BBQs, it's delicious hot or at room temperature, easy to make, and so elegant on the platter. 

    Ingredients You Need to Make Grilled Bok Choy

    Grilled Baby Bok Choy Ingredients on a white marble board
    • Bok Choy: Ideally baby bok choy, but the mature version will also work.
    • Sesame Oil / Toasted Sesame Oil: You'll need both plain sesame oil for brushing and toasted sesame oil for the finishing sauce.
    • Garlic: look for a plump head of garlic with smooth, silvery skin
    • Ginger: fresh ginger, dried ginger isn't a good substitute here
    • Sriracha Sauce:  or red chili paste such as sambal oelek
    • Soy Sauce: or tamari or liquid aminos for a gluten free version
    • Sesame Seeds: toasted sesame seeds, white, black or a mix of the two

    Cooks Notes and FAQ

    What is Bok Choy and what should I look for when I buy it?

    Bok choy is a leafy green that's a type of Chinese cabbage. It's a member of the mustards or cabbage family that's related to broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. Although several species go by the same name, they typically show the same traits — long dark or bright green leaves held together by a thick, juicy stem ranging in color from light green to bright white. 

    When buying bok choy for grilling, look for baby bok choy, which is more tender than its mature version (though you can use either for this recipe). Make sure the leaves are not withered and that the stem is firm and free of blemishes. 

    What Part of Bok Choy is Edible?

    Both bok choy leaves and stems are edible, so you just need to trim the bottom end. And although the leaves might seem like the most desirable part, you’ll find the snappy stem to be equally delicious.

    Keep in mind that the stem takes a bit longer to cook than the leaves, so you should monitor them both while cooking. The most common mistakes when cooking bok choy are overcooking the leaves and undercooking the stems. raw heads of Baby Bok Choy halved on a tray

    How Do you Prepare and Cook Bok Choy?

    To prepare bok choy for an outdoor grill, cut it in half lengthwise and rinse it carefully, particularly near the base of the stem where dirt and grit like to hide. Then pat it dry and brush the cut side generously with with oil. You'll want clean grill grates and enough heat to get those coveted grill marks. 

    For some recipes, like stir-fries, you’re better off separating the leaves from the stems to cook for different lengths of time. But when grilling bok choy, you'll keep the leaves and stem intact. The leaves take on a light char while the stems become tender, but retain some of their crunch. A warm spicy sesame-ginger dressing and shower of toasted sesame seeds spooned on at the end rounds out and enhances both the smoky and bright flavors of the dish. 

    If you can’t find baby bok choy at the farmers market or Asian supermarket, use mature bok choy instead; cut it into quarters lengthwise and grill it for a bit longer. 

    halved heads of Baby Bok Choy halved on the grill

    Can I Eat Bok Choy Raw?

    Yes, you can eat bok choy raw. Carefully rinse it as you would any other green. Chopped up, it makes a crunchy and delicious addition to all kinds of salads and slaws.

    Grilled Baby Bok Choy photographed from above on a white platter.

    Serve With

    • Grilled Tuna Steaks
    • Grilled Chicken Thighs
    • Spicy Grilled Shrimp

    More Delicious Grilled Vegetables to Try 

    • Grilled Cauliflower Steaks
    • Grilled Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
    • Grilled Green Beans
    • Grilled Broccolini
    • Grilled Fennel
    Grilled Baby Bok Choy on a white platter.

    Grilled Bok Choy

    Marissa Stevens
    I've written this recipe to serve 4, but feel free to double or even triple it!
    4.80 from 5 votes
    Save Recipe Saved! Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 14 mins
    Total Time 24 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine Asian
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 119 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 large heads baby bok choy cut in half lengthwise and rinsed carefully to remove all dirt and grit
    • 2 tablespoons sesame oil divided
    • 3 cloves garlic minced
    • 2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
    • ½ teaspoon sriracha sauce or more to taste
    • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
    • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
    • toasted sesame seeds for garnish, optional

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat a gas grill to medium (350˚F).
    • Drizzle cut side of bok choy with 1 tablespoon of the sesame oil and rub all over to coat. Place cut side down on grill and close cover. Cook 6 minutes; turn and cook 6-8 minutes more until crisp-tender with lightly charred areas. Arrange on serving platter cut side up.
    • Heat remaining tablespoon of sesame oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and ginger; cook and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Remove from heat and stir in chili paste, soy sauce and toasted sesame oil. Drizzle evenly over grilled bok choy. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds if desired and serve.

    Notes

    1. If you want to avoid the char on the tender leaves, you can place a strip of foil on your grill under just the leaves, leaving the remainder of the bok choy over direct heat.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 119kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 2gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gSodium: 590mgPotassium: 43mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 5030IUVitamin C: 52mgCalcium: 131mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword 4th of July, grilled, Memorial Day
    Tried this recipe?I'd love to see it! Tag me on Instagram at @pinchandswirl or leave me a comment and rating below.

    More Side Dishes

    • Roasted Green Beans and Potatoes
    • Garlic Butter Sauce
    • Green Beans and Mushrooms
    • Sweet Potato Hash Browns

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Brian says

      May 18, 2022 at 1:59 pm

      4 stars
      This is a very delicious recipe. Especially considering we have a hard time using up leftover bok choy. It worked very well on baby bok choy also. We did cut back on the soy sauce which didn't seem to affect the flavor but cut down a lot on the sodium. And we also didn't use sesame oil before putting on the barbecue because the flavor of the oil seems to cook off.

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        May 18, 2022 at 3:27 pm

        So glad you're enjoying the recipe, Brian! Thank you for your recipe notes.

        Reply
    2. The BBQ Evangelist says

      April 08, 2022 at 3:14 pm

      5 stars
      I made this yesterday and it was amazing! My daughter brought home this crazy extreme meat-hating skinny chick for dinner, so she got a Mushroom Wellington and this as a green side. The only thing she complained about was that meat had been previously cooked on my grill and n my oven. She may also have been a little scared at the Tomahawk I made (on a separate grill) for me and my daughter.

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        April 11, 2022 at 7:54 am

        You paint quite a scene, lol! So glad you're enjoying the recipe!

        Reply
    3. Kel says

      November 07, 2021 at 4:20 pm

      Very delicious. Thank you.

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        November 08, 2021 at 7:34 am

        My pleasure! So glad you enjoyed this, Kel.

        Reply
    4. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

      July 24, 2021 at 5:38 am

      5 stars
      Never tried grilling my bok choy Marissa. Can't wait to give it a try. Such a simple dish, yet so much flavor!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        July 26, 2021 at 10:22 am

        Thank you, Mary Ann! I hope you'll love it!

        Reply
    5. Dawn says

      July 23, 2021 at 9:47 am

      5 stars
      We love bok choy, but have never grilled it! What a wonderfully delicious idea, especially paired with those vibrant flavours. Gotta give this one a go soon! I know we'd really enjoy it!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        July 23, 2021 at 2:03 pm

        Thanks, Dawn! I hope you'll love it.

        Reply
    6. David @ Spiced says

      July 23, 2021 at 5:33 am

      5 stars
      I've grilled lots of things, but I don't think I've ever put bok choy on the grill. I'm curious about this one now! The flavors sound excellent, and the presentation is spot-on, too.

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        July 23, 2021 at 2:03 pm

        Thanks so much, David! It's such a fun way to enjoy bok choy during grilling season.

        Reply
    7. angiesrecipes says

      July 22, 2021 at 9:18 pm

      I think you can grill almost everything 🙂 though we don't do grill at all as my husband can't stand the aroma of smoke...that's why he doesn't eat bacon. I am on the contrary, enjoy a good grilled steak, or bok choy.
      These look mouthwatering and that spicy garlicky sauce sounds just as amazing. Have a wonderful weekend, Marissa.

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        July 23, 2021 at 2:04 pm

        Thank you, Angie!

        Reply

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