Description
A quick, healthy, and flavorful Chinese Lettuce With Oyster Sauce recipe featuring crisp lettuce stir-fried with a savory umami-rich oyster sauce. Perfect as a vibrant side dish, it pairs well with rice, noodles, or proteins and is ready in under 15 minutes.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Chinese lettuce (or Romaine) – 1 head, washed and chopped
- Garlic cloves – 2, minced
- Vegetable oil or sesame oil – 1 tablespoon
- Oyster sauce – 1 tablespoon
- Soy sauce – 1 teaspoon
- Water or broth – 2 tablespoons
- Optional sugar – a pinch
Instructions
- Prepare the Lettuce: Wash the Chinese lettuce thoroughly under cold running water to remove any dirt. Drain well and chop into large, manageable pieces or separate the leaves, depending on your preference.
- Heat the Oil and Garlic: Warm a tablespoon of vegetable or sesame oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and sauté briefly until fragrant but not browned, to infuse the oil with a lovely aroma.
- Stir-fry the Lettuce: Add the lettuce to the wok and toss quickly, making sure each leaf gets coated with the garlicky oil. Stir-fry for about 1-2 minutes until the lettuce is bright green and just starting to soften.
- Add Sauce Ingredients: Pour in a tablespoon of oyster sauce and a splash of soy sauce, followed by a little water or broth to create a light sauce. Toss everything together to evenly coat the lettuce, cooking for another 30 seconds to absorb the flavors.
- Final Touch and Serve: If desired, add a pinch of sugar to balance the flavors and give the sauce a subtle glaze. Remove from heat immediately to keep the lettuce crisp-tender and serve warm right away.
Notes
- Use fresh lettuce for best texture and flavor.
- Avoid overcooking to maintain the bright color and crispness.
- Adjust oyster sauce amount to suit taste preferences.
- Sesame oil adds a nutty aroma, while vegetable oil provides a neutral base.
- Prepare ingredients ahead of cooking for a smooth process.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Stir-Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 60
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg