Looking for more ways to incorporate greens in your diet? This delicious Stir-Fried Watercress recipe is an unexpected alternative to the usual spinach and kale.
If you’re searching for a vegetable side dish to add to your weekly dinner routine, look no further—this stir-fried watercress recipe is a great option that delivers on flavor and nutrition. It’s always difficult to find a healthy side for dinner that can be cooked in a flash. A simple one should only require a few ingredients and take less than 15 minutes to make. Thankfully, this stir-fried watercress recipe checks those boxes. The star of the dish is obviously the watercress, although the addition of sesame oil adds a lovely hint of nuttiness. The sesame oil is complemented by the garlic and ginger’s beautiful aroma and flavor, creating a harmonious blend.
I love making this side dish on busy weeknights. After a long day of work and juggling countless tasks, this recipe is a saving grace, especially when I’m trying to add more vegetables to the dinner table. This stir-fried watercress is tender but lightly crisp, easy to make, and full of flavor. The minimal ingredients allow the watercress’ naturally peppery, zingy flavor to shine through. This recipe requires minimal preparation, making sure you won’t be stuck at the cutting board chopping away all evening. Plus, it only requires one pan, so cleaning up will be an absolute breeze after dinner!
Is Stir-Fried Watercress Healthy?
It will likely come as no surprise that stir-fried watercress is a healthy option for a side dish. It’s packed with potassium and is an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and K. Additionally, this recipe happens to be both gluten-free and vegan.
Stir-frying allows you to remove any excess moisture from the watercress so it can become tender but still retain a bite. Furthermore, stir-frying intensifies the peppery taste of the watercress, and since it’s cooked with aromatics like garlic and ginger, the flavor is even more explosive. Blanching may be healthier because it doesn’t require oil or fat, but I prefer the stir-fried recipe solely because of the delicious flavor.
What Is Watercress?
Watercress is a leafy green vegetable that is part of the mustard family. It’s a semi-aquatic plant, growing wild in cool, shallow streams, and was used both as a food and for medicinal purposes by the ancient Persians, Greeks, and Romans. It was even reported to be served at the first Thanksgiving dinner!
Today, you can find watercress in Asian dishes such as this one, as well as in British recipes (watercress sandwiches are a popular afternoon tea offering) and in Mediterranean cuisine where it’s a favorite salad ingredient.
FAQs & Tips
How Do I Store Leftovers?
After it’s cooled, the stir-fried watercress can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Freezing the sautéed watercress isn’t the best idea since it can accumulate more water and become soggy during thawing. When you’re ready to eat, reheat it in a lightly oiled pan over medium-high heat until it’s warmed, and enjoy.
How Can I Prevent Sautéed Watercress From Becoming Too Watery?
To prevent your watercress from becoming too watery, you must ensure it’s completely dry before cooking and use medium-high heat with minimal oil. The fast, hot sauté and consistent stirring will help the watercress to cook quickly, maintaining its crispness and preventing it from becoming too waterlogged.
How Do I Clean Watercress?
Since watercress is typically grown in wet soil, you want to be sure to clean it well. Start by rinsing the watercress under cold water or submerging it in a bowl of fresh water to wash away any leftover dirt or grime, then trim off any tough roots, stems, or yellow leaves. You can pat dry with a towel or use a salad spinner to remove any excess water.
Serving Suggestions
This stir-fried watercress recipe is a great accompaniment to any meal, whether it’s lunch or dinner time. Since the recipe includes the addition of sesame oil, white pepper, and ginger, it pairs exceptionally well with Asian-inspired dishes. Try it coupled with this Asian Garlic Shrimp, Thai Basil Beef, or Sweet-and-Sour Chicken. For people on a plant-based diet, stir-fried watercress will also go well with Crispy Baked Tofu or this Coconut Sweet Potato Curry With Sweet Potato Noodles. You can even add your leftover stir-fried watercress to your Fried Rice to add some additional vegetables and give it a bit of a flavor boost. Whichever dish you decide to pair it with, this stir-fried watercress will disappear in no time!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 3/4 teaspoon fresh ginger julienned
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 pound watercress washed and trimmed
- 1 pinch white pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt plus more to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon sesame oil
Instructions
- Heat a wok or nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Add canola oil and swirl to coat the surface.
- Add julienned ginger and minced garlic. Stir-fry 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Immediately add watercress. Stir continuously for 20-30 seconds until the greens begin to wilt.
- Add white pepper, sugar, and salt. Drizzle sesame oil over the greens and stir-fry for an additional 20 seconds to ensure even coating. Adjust salt as needed.
- Transfer the stir-fried watercress immediately to a serving dish to keep its bright color and crisp texture. Avoid overcooking to maintain a fresh and crunchy bite.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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