Chinese Broccoli is the perfect healthy side to enjoy for dinner. It has a sweet flavor with juicy stems and is especially tasty when cooked in a garlicky Asian sauce.

This is a great dish to incorporate with apricot chicken, chicken wraps, slow cooker balsamic roast beef or seafood recipes, like this shrimp curry.

Chinese Broccoli in a pan garnished with sesame seeds

Chinese Broccoli

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This Chinese Broccoli recipe is one of my go-to Asian dishes. It is healthy, flavorful, and very easy to prepare. All you need is to season the broccoli properly, stir-fry them for about 5 minutes, and you end up with the most delicious side dish.

With summer around the corner, this is the perfect veggie to incorporate with your diet. It has a bitter and sweet note to it, so you can pair it with pretty much any meal. I love to pair the broccoli with oyster sauce and some freshly minced garlic. It gives the veggies a nice aroma and deep flavor.

What is Chinese Broccoli?

Chinese Broccoli also is known as Gai Lan. It is a popular Chinese veggie known for its thick, tender stems and floral-like buds, which makes it look very similar to broccolini. It is basically Chinese kale, and it belongs to the same species as broccoli.

Chinese Broccoli with sesame seeds and sauce

What Are The Health Benefits Of Chinese Broccoli?

These veggies have plenty of nutrients and vitamins, such as Vitamin C, K and A. In addition, they have plenty of fibre and are a good source of folic acid. Like many greens, these veggies help fight cancer and should be incorporated more often in daily meals.

How To Cook Chinese Broccoli?

Making this dish is pretty straight forward.

  1. The secret to it is to purchase young and fresh veggies which have smaller stalks and dark green leaves.
  2. Be sure to wash the leaves and, depending on your preference, you can cut the stalks in half lengthwise.
  3. Next, heat oil in a wok till hot, but not smoking. Add some freshly minced garlic, ginger and cook for a few seconds.
  4. Add the broccoli and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes or just until slightly wilted.
  5. Pour in the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and brown sugar, and quickly stir-fry till the broccoli has a nice, crisp texture.

Chinese Broccoli being picked up by tongs

How To Store Leftover Chinese Broccoli?

If you have any leftovers, it is very simple to store and enjoy the following days. Ensure your Chinese Broccoli is completely cooled, then transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When ready to serve, re-heat the leftover in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.

Chinese Broccoli Recipe Tips:

  • If you prefer, you can substitute the sugar with honey or syrup.
  • The broccoli can be trimmed and cut 5-6 hours ahead and chilled in a sealed plastic bag.
  • For best results, try to go with the freshest chinese broccoli available. Look for dark green leaves, which are small to medium in size. These usually have the best texture and flavor.
  • I highly recommend using freshly minced garlic for this dish!

Favorite Broccoli Dishes

Chinese Broccoli with sesame seeds and sauce
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Chinese Broccoli

Chinese Broccoli is the perfect healthy side dish. It has a sweet flavor with juicy stems and is especially tasty when cooked in a garlicky Asian sauce.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 2 servings
Author Catalina

Ingredients  

  • 1 pound Chinese broccoli Gai Lan
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • ½ tablespoon minced ginger

Sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • ½ teaspoon Chinese spices
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar

Garnish:

  • sesame seeds
  • chopped green onions

Instructions 

  • Wash the Chinese Broccoli and trim about 1-inch from the ends of the stalk and discard.
  • Place a large wok or skillet over medium heat. Add the canola oil and heat it up.
  • Once hot, add the garlic and ginger, stir and cook for about 30 seconds.
  • Add the Chinese Broccoli stalks, toss and saute for about 3 minutes.
  • Add all the sauce ingredients to the pan, stir, toss to combine. Reduce heat to low, cover with a lid and cook for about 5-6 minutes, or until the stalks are tender.
  • Before serving, garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions if desired.
5 from 1 vote↑ Click stars to rate now!
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Nutrition Information

Calories: 309kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 1569mg | Potassium: 62mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 4075IU | Vitamin C: 210mg | Calcium: 177mg | Iron: 2.5mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Side Dish
Cuisine Chinese

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About the author

Catalina thinks that time in the kitchen should be fun, and we should spend less time cooking and more time eating! As a successful business woman, with a busy career on Wall Street, she develops easy weeknight meals that you can make in 30 minutes or less!. Catalina lives in the NYC metro area with her husband, who is also a great cook, and their 4 year old boy, who gladly helps in the kitchen. Catalina will inspire you to experiment with flavors, try new ingredients and create easy meals with less effort. You can visit her blog Sweet & Savory Meals for more inspiration.
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Comments

    1. We buy this at some of our larger grocery stores that have a lot of variety of produce, as well as the small green grocers in our neighborhood. More regular grocery stores are carrying it these days too. Ask the produce folks at your regular grocery store! Enjoy Derrick!