Chinese stir fry lettuce cooked with garlic and soy sauce made in just 5 minutes. This simple vegetable side dish is perfect with any Asian inspired meal.
The Inspiration
My mom used to blanch iceberg lettuce then toss it in soy sauce and sesame oil.
I thought it was weird at first since iceberg lettuce is typically eaten raw in salads, sandwiches or burgers.
Surprisingly, it was really good. The lettuce was still crunchy, yet slightly soft.
I'm making a stir fry version of cooked lettuce because it requires a little less cooking time. You don't need to wait for the water to boil for blanching.
Why You'll Love this Recipe
- It's a 5 minute side dish. Can't get any quicker than that!
- It only requires 5 ingredients. Mostly pantry staples!
- It's a great way to use up any leftover lettuce that you need to use quickly.
Ingredients
- Sesame oil- I like the flavor of sesame oil in this dish but you can also use any neutral flavored high heat oil like canola oil, vegetable oil, or avocado oil.
- Garlic- fresh garlic is best. ½ teaspoon granulated garlic will also work. You can also use half garlic and half ginger.
- Iceberg lettuce- this recipe also works well with romaine and green leaf lettuce.
- Soy Sauce- I'm keeping it simple with just soy sauce, but you can also add or substitute with hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, or fish sauce.
- Sugar- to balance out the saltiness of the soy sauce.
How to Cook Stir Fry Lettuce
- Heat a large skillet or wok on high heat.
- Toss in all the ingredients and stir fry for 2-3 minutes.
Tasty Tips
- Don't overcook the lettuce. It should still have a crunch to it!
- Make is spicy. Add some chili flakes, drizzle some sriracha or garlic chili sauce over the lettuce for a kick.
- Top with sesame seeds for a nutty flavor.
FAQs
This is best eaten immediately but leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Reheat in the microwave or in a pan until hot.
Dishes to Serve with Stir Fry Lettuce
I love having this with steamed rice. This would be a great vegetable side dish with the dishes below.
- Braised Coca Cola Chicken Thighs
- Lemongrass Chicken Wings
- Chinese Tomato Egg Stir Fry
- Thai Basil Chicken Stir Fry
More Vegetable Side Dishes You'll Love
- Green Beans with Shiitake Mushrooms
- Oven Roasted Garlic Parmesan Purple Cauliflower
- Chinese Broccoli (Gai Lan)
- Maple Soy Brussels Sprouts
How to Cook Stir Fry Lettuce
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 head iceberg lettuce leaves torn into 3 inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon sugar
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet or wok on high heat, toss in all the ingredients in the order listed and stir fry for 2-3 minutes until the lettuce is just wilted but still crunchy.
- Remove excess water and drizzle more soy sauce on top to taste.
Notes
- Don't overcook the lettuce. It should still have a crunch to it!
- Make is spicy. Add some chili flakes, drizzle some sriracha or garlic chili sauce over the lettuce for a kick.
- Top with sesame seeds for a nutty flavor.
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