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    Home » Asian foods » Chinese Spinach Amaranth

    Chinese Spinach Amaranth

    Modified: Jun 23, 2021 Published: Jun 23, 2021 by Tracy O. This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    Simple and easy Chinese red spinach amaranth greens (yin choy) stir fry with garlic is a classic Chinese vegetable dish. This Chinese red spinach recipe takes around 10 minutes! It’s great for lunch or dinner as a vegetable side dish. Let’s learn how to cook this Chinese red spinach amaranth, yin choy, at home. 

    Love vegetable dishes? Check out these yu choy sum, gai lan, water spinach stir fry and baby bok choy stir fry recipes. 

    red yin choy Chinese red spinach amaranth stir fry with garlic in white container

    What is Chinese spinach amaranth?

    Amaranthus dubius is a plant species name for Chinese spinach. It is a family of amaranthaceae. In Cantonese, it called yin choy (莧菜) or xiàncài (苋菜) in Mandarin. 

    Yin choy has two types. One is green, the other type is red. Red yin choy part of the leaves is red and when you cook them the liquid is red purple that’s why people call it red spinach. In this Chinese red spinach stir fry recipe, I used red yin choy.

    red yin choy

    Besides, amaranthus dubius plant is native to South America, Mexico, and the West Indies. Now, it is widely used throughout the world. However, Chinese valued this kind of species as a leafy vegetable throughout Southeast Asia and Asia. Chinese like to cook yin choy with garlic and stir fry it with water to make it like a vegetable soup. 

    What are the ingredients for Chinese red spinach amaranth stir fry?

    The best way to cook Chinese spinach amaranth is to stir fry them with garlic. In this Chinese red spinach recipe, I used vegetable oil, garlic, water, red spinach amaranth (red yin choy) and salt to stir fry. 

    Chinese red spinach stir fry ingredients

    Cooking tips for how to cook Chinese red spinach:

    • Most of the yin choy comes with the roots when I bought them in Asia. However, in most of the Asian markets in the states, when you buy yin choy, the roots are removed. Therefore, if the yin choy has roots, remove them. Also, remove some hard and old stems. 
    • Soak the yin choy in water for 15 minutes. Then, wash it 2-3 times to remove mud or sand. 
    • Stir fry garlic until it’s golden brown, put the yin choy. Cover the lid for 2-3 minutes, flip the other side and cover another 2-3 minutes. Or until it’s soft. Then, add salt and stir it well. 
    • Personally, I like yin choy soft and with some liquid like soup. (Remember to add salt to your taste.)

    FAQS: 

    What is Chinese spinach amaranth taste like?

    It tastes similar to regular cooked spinach.

    What is the nutritional value of Chinese red spinach?

    Chinese spinach is rich in iron, copper, carbohydrates, calcium, folate, vitamin A, B6 and Vitamin C. 

    Instructions for how to cook Chinese red spinach, yin choy:

    garlic cloves stir fry in the silver pot

    1. Peel and wash 6 cloves of garlic. Then, pour 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil into a pot. Put the garlic and stir fry until it turns golden brown.

    Chinese red spinach amaranth yin choy in the silver pot

    2. After that, put the washed yin choy red Chinese spinach into the pot. Pour 4 cups of water. Then, cover the lid for 2-3 minutes.

    yin choy Chinese red spinach amaranth cooking in the sliver pot with garlic

    3. Next, open the lid and flip the yin choy on the other side and cover another 2-3 minutes. Or until it’s soft. Then, add ¼ teaspoon of salt and stir it well. (Remember to add salt to your taste.)

    cooked red Chinese spinach in a white container

    Enjoy this simple and tasty Chinese red spinach amaranth recipe! Also, check out these authentic Chinese beef & bitter melon stir fry, scallion pancakes and tomatoes & eggs stir fry recipes.

    You May Also Like These Recipes:

    • ORANGE CHICKEN
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    cooked red Chinese spinach in a white container

    Chinese Red Spinach Amaranth Stir Fry

    Simple and easy Chinese red spinach amaranth greens (yin choy) stir fry with garlic is a classic Chinese vegetable dish. This Chinese red spinach recipe takes around 10 minutes! It’s great for lunch or dinner as a vegetable side dish. Let’s learn how to cook this red spinach amaranth, yin choy, at home. 
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 69kcal
    Author: Tracy O.

    Video

    Ingredients

    • 1.5 pounds Chinese red spinach amaranth (Yin Choy)
    • 6 cloves Garlic
    • 1 tablespoon Vegetable oil
    • 4 cups Water
    • ¼ teaspoon Salt (Add salt to your taste)
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Peel and wash 6 cloves of garlic. Then, pour 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil into a pot. Put the garlic and stir fry until it turns golden brown.
    • After that, put the washed yin choy red Chinese spinach into the pot. Pour 4 cups of water. Then, cover the lid for 2-3 minutes.
    • Next, open the lid and flip the yin choy on the other side and cover another 2-3 minutes. Or until it’s soft. Then, add ¼ teaspoon of salt and stir it well. (Remember to add salt to your taste.)

    Notes

    Cooking tips for how to cook Chinese red spinach:

    • Most of the yin choy comes with the roots when I bought them in Asia. However, in most of the Asian markets in the states, when you buy yin choy, the roots are removed. Therefore, if the yin choy has roots, remove them. Also, remove some hard and old stems. 
    • Soak the yin choy in water for 15 minutes. Then, wash it 2-3 times to remove mud or sand. 
    • Stir fry garlic until it’s golden brown, put the yin choy. Cover the lid for 2-3 minutes, flip the other side and cover another 2-3 minutes. Or until it’s soft. Then, add salt and stir it well. 
    • Personally, I like yin choy soft and with some liquid like soup. (Remember to add salt to your taste.)

    Nutrition

    Calories: 69kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 350mg | Potassium: 549mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 10717IU | Vitamin C: 95mg | Calcium: 146mg | Iron: 3mg
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    5 from 6 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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    Tracy O.
    About Me

    Welcome to Oh My Food Recipes! Discover delightful meal inspiration in the world of specialty Asian cuisines. Our tried-and-true recipes come with step-by-step photo and video tutorials, making your cooking journey enjoyable and rewarding... Read more!

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