How to Microwave Bok Choy

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//cookanyday.com/cdn/shop/files/bok-choy-3-20481-66a911b5ee15c_360x.webp?v=1722356187 Bok Choy is cooked and served in a glass Anyday dish, featuring tender, steamed bok choy perfect for adding to stir-fries, soups, or as a healthy side dish.
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Prep Time

2 mins

Cook Time

1-2 mins

Free Time

to eat more veggies

If you're in the hunt for a quick, nutritious side dish, bok choy should be on your list. When cooked in the microwave, bok choy transforms into a tender, vibrant green delight in minutes. Serve it with white rice, add to ramen noodle soups, or toss it into a quick curry!

Bok choy, a staple in Asian cuisine, is known for its crisp texture and flavor profile that's a cross between spinach and mild cabbage. It's loaded with nutrients, keeps well in the fridge, and just needs the help of a few pantry staples to truly shine.

All of Anyday’s recipes are tested (and retested!) in many different microwave and home kitchens to make sure they work— and work well. Unless specified otherwise, all recipes should be cooked at full power.

Anyday Basics, Bok Choy, Anyday Basics, Vegetables, how to microwave Anyday Basics, Vegetables

What You’ll Need

What You’ll Need

The Medium Shallow Dish

Look no further for making poached eggs, desserts, dips, and small portions of meat or fish.

The Small Square Dish

Flash-steam small portions of food in the microwave, evenly reheat leftovers, or store food in the fridge with the lid’s airtight seal. 

The Strainer

Introducing: The Strainer! Flexible-yet-sturdy clips attach this clever ‘colander’ onto your Anyday dish, making it a master multitasker. Use this strainer on any size or shape Anyday dish.

The Anyhand Mitts

Handle hot Anyday dishes with care with these microwave mitts that double as trivets!
Try Anyday

Select your serving size and microwave wattage in the dropdown. The recipe will change accordingly.

2 bok choy (halved)

Select your microwave wattage in the dropdown. The cook times in this recipe will automatically change accordingly.

[[video-wattage]]

To find your microwave’s wattage, look at the front panel, the side of the door, in the back, in the user manual, or Google the model number. If both an input and output wattage are listed, use the output.

Wattage translates to how powerful the microwave is. The higher the wattage, the faster your food will cook. The lower the wattage, the longer the cook time.

When in doubt, start with less time — you can always add more.

Microwave oven by power - 700w
700w

Recommended 

Dish

The Medium Shallow Dish

Ingredients

  • 2 bok choy (halved)

Preparation

  1. Place the bok choy in an Anyday dish and rinse thoroughly under cold tap water. Using the Anyday Strainer, strain the excess water.
  2. After straining, cover the dish with the lid (knob lifted).
  3. Cook in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until it turns a vibrant green and the white parts begin to soften.
  4. Season to taste or use as part of a dish. See our serving suggestions for delicious ideas. 

Serving suggestions & tips

  • A little spice: Mix with chili crunch and sesame seeds.
  • Hummus: Mix with garlic hummus, and top with lime juice and fresh chopped parsley
  • Garlic butter: Top with a mixture of room temperature butter, garlic powder, and chopped parsley.
  • Sweet umami: Mix with fish sauce, chili flakes, and maple syrup.

Recipe notes

  • After rinsing the bok choy, don’t dry it before microwaving! The leftover moisture helps steaming the greens.
  • Microwave ovens vary, even with the same wattages. Adjust cooking times as needed.

Microwave Match Up: Bok Choy

See for yourself— microwaving bok choy is simply faster, start to finish.

Appliance Cook Time
Microwave in an Anyday dish 1-2 mins
Oven* 7-15 mins
Stovetop* 5-15 mins
Grill 5-15 mins
*Includes preheat time

All you need to know about microwaving bok choy

How long does it take to cook bok choy in the microwave?

Ingredient Cook Time
2 bok choy (halved) 1-2 mins
4 bok choy (halved) 3 mins
6 bok choy (halved) 5-6 mins
Cook time calculated for 700w microwave

Usually, it takes approximately 1-2 minutes to microwave 2 heads of bok choy to perfection. To determine if it's done, watch for vibrant green hues and slightly softened, yet crunchy, white portions. You can also check by gently piercing the white stems with a fork; they should be tender without turning mushy.

Can you cook sliced bok choy in the microwave?

Yes, you can. Whether they are sliced or halved, using the same quantity of heads will require approximately the same cooking time. We recommend stirring halfway to ensure even cooking.

How to freeze microwaved bok choy?

To freeze microwaved bok choy, start by microwaving sliced bok choy. Next, transfer them into 1/2 cup Anytime FreezerTrays and freeze for future use.

How to reheat frozen bok choy?

Place the frozen pucks of bok choy in your Anyday cookware and heat for 2-3 minutes per puck or until thoroughly heated.