Stir Fried Pea Shoots with Garlic

Name: Stir Fried Pea Shoots with Garlic
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 500 g / 1.1 lb pea shoots ((we get a bag from the local Asian supermarket)); 3 cloves garlic ((thinly sliced)); 2 tbsp cooking oil; 1/2 tsp salt ((or to taste)); 1 tsp chicken bouillon powder

If you are looking for the EASIEST way to bring a side of vegetables to the table, these Stir Fried Pea Shoots with Garlic are sure to please. It only uses five ingredients and takes just 10 minutes!

Stir Fried Pea Shoots with Garlic in a dish.

An easy side dish every time

No dinner spread is truly complete without an aromatic vegetable dish plated straight out of the wok.

There’s just something about the simplicity that makes every mouthful worth the undivided attention. Think of our family’s Stir Fried Water Spinach with Fermented Bean Curd or Chinese Broccoli with Oyster Sauce and you’ll know what I mean!

But with THIS home-cooked pea shoot recipe, the possibilities are endless. It combines a quick and easy cooking method with the freshest seasonal produce from the pantry.

And the most incredible part? The ingredient list is super short. It comes together using just garlic, greens and seasoning!

Make your kitchen smell just like Grandma’s when the garlic hisses in wok oil. Better yet, it will taste exactly like her cooking too!

What are pea shoots?

Pea shoots are a fast-growing vegetable that germinate from pea plants. Typically grown during the winter season, they can thrive outdoors or even on your window sill!

We love using pea shoots for this recipe because they come PACKED with vitamin C, fibre and protein. It is also said that they have anti-inflammatory benefits and antioxidants for supporting the heart.

All the more reason to give them a try, I say!

Stir Fried Pea Shoots with Garlic with chopsticks on it.

Why this recipe works

This Stir Fried Pea Shoots with Garlic recipe only uses 5 ingredients and can be made in under 20 minutes, which makes it into the A-list of easy dinner recipes.
The flavor profile is simple to highlight the texture and taste of the greens.
Garlic adds a fragrant kick to the entire dish.

What you’ll need

A colander of pea shoots along with dishes of oil, chicken bouillon powder, salt and sliced garlic.

About the greens

If you don’t have pea shoots on hand, just use any leafy green you have available. Some great options include Chinese broccoli, water spinach, cabbage, snow peas, sugar snap peas and broccoli.

How to make this recipe

Add the oil into the wok using a high heat. Turn the heat down to a medium and throw in the garlic to avoid burning. Cook it for 30 seconds or until fragrant.

Bring the heat up to high and throw in the pea shoots, chicken bouillon powder and salt. Stir for 1-2 minutes (or until slightly wilted) then plate immediately.

Serve with a bowl of rice and enjoy!

Recipe FAQs

How do you clean pea shoots?

As we do with all of our greens, fill the sink with cold water and add 3 tbsp salt. Pour the pea shoots in and let it sit in the salted water for a few minutes.
Submerging it in saltwater not only cleans the pea shoots, but encourages any living creatures to crawl or swim out.
Transfer the greens into a colander, drain the sink water and repeat the salted soaking a few more times.

Why are my greens soft?

To retain the crunch, the heat HAS to be high enough for the vegetables to be cooked just enough without boiling. Make sure you’re using a hot temperature and not leaving the shoots on the heat for too long.

How long can I store this for?

The best way to enjoy it is to eat it immediately, but if you do end up with leftovers then store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It will last up to 3 days.

Tips for the TASTIEST vegetable stir fry

Make sure the wok is HOT. As with any stir fry, you don’t want to boil the anything and end up with a soggy plate of vegetables.
Dry the pea shoots as best you can. A little moisture is fine, but you need it as dry as possible to avoid steaming it during the cooking process.
Be quick with your hands. Stir vigorously to evenly cook all the pea shoots.
Turn the heat down to low before adding in the garlic to stop any burning. Burnt garlic will add unnecessary bitterness to this dish. Increase the heat back up to high before adding in the pea shoots.

Close up of Stir Fried Pea Shoots with Garlic in a dish.

Complete your dinner spread

You’ll want to complement this stir fry’s light seasoning with rice and side dishes that aren’t too overpowering. Here are some ideas that will work perfectly well together!

For a great appetizer, start the meal off with Aunty’s Lo Bak Go (Chinese Turnip Cake 萝白糕).
Get onto our family’s Steamed Pork Belly with Preserved Mustard Greens (梅菜扣肉).
For a mildy sweet, sticky and savoury side dish, serve your greens with Honey Glazed Ginger Chicken.
Add some warmth with Black Pepper Beef Stir Fry (黑椒牛柳) and a kick of XO Sauce (XO 酱).
Nourish the body with Chinese Fish Soup.
Finish it off with Yum Cha Mango Pancakes (芒果班戟)!

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