Soy-free Bok Choy (AIP, Paleo, Whole30)

Bok choy is a cool-weather cabbage that appears in early summer and again in autumn, with tender greens and crisp, celery-like stalks that mellow when cooked. You can buy large bunches – like I’ve cooked here – or look for baby bok choy. It’s not that one is just a more mature version of the other. Baby bok choy is a slightly different vegetable cultivated to stay small and more tender. I like them both and I’ll buy whichever I can find at the farmer’s market or in the produce section, as long as the leaves are lush and firm. Then it comes down to how to cook it. You could chop it up and use it in a stir fry, but I like to keep it (mostly) whole, caramelize it in a ripping-hot pan, then cook it with shallots and garlic before glazing it in coconut aminos instead of soy sauce. This soy-free bok choy comes together in just a few minutes on the stovetop.

How this recipe fits AIP, Paleo and Whole30

Many recipes for bok choy add chiles or hot peppers. While delicious, we need a nightshade-free version for AIP and this is it. And of course, adding coconut aminos instead of soy sauce is another classic AIP, Paleo and Whole30 swap.

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Cut the bok choy in half lengthwise and wash it well before cooking. Season the cut side with salt. If you’re using standard bok choy, you’ll want to grab the largest pan in your kitchen that has a cover.

Heat avocado oil over medium-heat and sear the cut side of the bok choy until it’s browned, then transfer it to a plate. You may need to do this in batches, depending on the size of your bok choy. Just add more oil as needed until the browning process is complete.

Turn the heat down to low then add the shallot and garlic along with a tablespoon more oil. I prefer avocado oil in this recipe because it has a higher smoke point than olive oil and it has a very neutral flavor. Cook the garlic and shallot until it just begins to be fragrant, then add the coconut aminos and a few tablespoons of water.

Add the bok choy back to the pan, toss it to coat and cover to steam. The stalks should begin to get tender within five minutes or so, less time if for baby bok choy. Keep an eye on things and be ready to add a splash of water or two if the pan starts looking dry. As soon as the stalks are fork-tender, uncover and toss until the sauce thickens.

Remove the bok choy to a platter and spoon the sauce with all of the garlic and caramelized shallots over the top, with another pinch of salt. If you’ve ever walked by bok choy in the grocery store because you’re not sure how to cook it, you’ll be so surprised how easy it is to make this light and leafy cabbage.

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Soy-Free Bok Choy (AIP, Paleo, Whole30)

5 from 1 vote

This soy-free bok choy is quickly seared and finished with garlic, shallots, and coconut aminos for a tender, flavorful side dish. It’s an easy, nightshade-free recipe that fits AIP, Paleo, and Whole30.

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Total Time:20 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Author: Christina Marche

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp avocado oil
• 2 lb bok choy, about two heads (or 4 heads of baby bok choy)
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• ¼ cup chopped shallot
• 2 tbsp coconut aminos
• ¼ cup water
• Kosher salt

Instructions

• Heat one tablespoon of avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high.
• Season the cut sides of the bok choy with salt, then sear cut-side down, until golden brown and caramelized. You may need to do this in batches, adding more oil as needed.
• Transfer to a plate. Lower the heat and add another tablespoon of oil, garlic and shallot. Cook just until fragrant, about one minute. Stir in the coconut aminos and two tablespoons of water.
• Return the bok choy to the skillet, toss to coat, then cover and steam—about four minutes for baby bok choy, longer if larger—adding a splash more water if the pan begins to dry out. Once the stalks are tender, uncover and cook a minute or two more until the sauce thickens slightly.
• Transfer to a platter, spoon the pan sauce over the bok choy and finish with a pinch of salt.

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: AIP, AIP Modified, Paleo, Plant-Based Whole30, Whole30