Kapanlagi.com - Stir-fried water spinach, a simple dish that always manages to tantalize many people's appetites! With a delicious taste and crunchy texture, who can resist its delights? However, there is one challenge often faced: water spinach wilting quickly and turning black after cooking.
Don't worry! KapanLagi.com summarizes interesting tips from the Instagram account @kenyangterusz on Monday, (24/3/2025), about easy ways to keep stir-fried water spinach fresh and tempting. Get your notes ready, and let's explore together how to cook the perfect stir-fried water spinach!
1. Why Does Stir-Fried Water Spinach Often Wilt and Turn Black?
When cooking water spinach, there are several traps that often ensnare chefs, both beginners and experienced ones. Some of these include:
- Cooking it too long, which can make this green vegetable lose its freshness and nutrients.
- Additionally, using low heat can actually cause the water spinach to release too much water, resulting in a mushy outcome.
- No less important, covering the pan while stir-frying can also backfire, as trapped steam will change the texture of the water spinach to be unappetizing.
So, let's avoid these mistakes to keep our water spinach dishes delicious and tempting!
2. Mother-in-law's Secret: Simple Trick to Keep Water Spinach Green
The Instagram account @kenyangterusz shares interesting tips for cooking water spinach to keep it fresh and delicious! Avoid stirring too often, as this can cause the water spinach to wilt quickly due to excess heat.
Just let the water spinach sit for 2-3 minutes on high heat, then flip it once when it's almost cooked to ensure even cooking on all sides. With this simple trick, the quality of the water spinach you cook will be maintained; also make sure to choose fresh and high-quality water spinach to maximize your cooking results!
3. Steps to Sauté Fresh Green Water Spinach
Prepare yourself to create a delicious dish with fresh sautéed water spinach using the following ingredients and steps:
- 2 bunches of water spinach, cleaned and washed.
- 4 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
- 3 shallots, thinly sliced
- 2 large red chilies, sliced diagonally
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Granulated sugar
- Ground pepper
- 50 ml water
- 2 tablespoons oil for sautéing
During the cooking process, follow these steps:
- Heat the oil in a pan and sauté the garlic and shallots until they release an enticing aroma.
- Add the oyster sauce, salt, sugar, and pepper, then stir briefly before pouring in a little water.
- It's time to add the water spinach! Remember, do not stir immediately; let it feel the steam for about a minute.
- After that, flip the water spinach just once and stir lightly to mix the seasonings, then lift and serve while warm.
Enjoy the freshness and crunchiness of the captivating water spinach in every bite!
4. Don't Stir Water Spinach Too Often When Cooking

Photo: Instagram @kenyangterusz
With this method, water spinach will retain its enticing fresh green color and its texture will remain crisp. This technique also helps keep the water spinach rich in its natural water content, so it won’t dry out or wrinkle after cooking.
5. Avoid These Mistakes When Cooking Stir-Fried Water Spinach
To keep your stir-fried water spinach green and appetizing, there are several mistakes you should avoid:
- First, do not use too much water when stir-frying, as this can make the dish watery and lose its flavor.
- Second, avoid cooking for too long, so that the texture of the water spinach remains crisp and does not become mushy.
- And equally important, prepare all ingredients before you start cooking to make the process more efficient and ensure the water spinach served remains fresh and appetizing.
With these tips, your stir-fried water spinach will be even more delicious!
6. Secret Seasoning for a More Delicious Stir-Fried Water Spinach
The right mix of spices can transform stir-fried water spinach into an unforgettable dish! In addition to garlic and shallots as the base, add dried shrimp or shrimp paste for a tempting savory touch. Don't forget, a squeeze of lime at the end of the cooking process will inject an incredible freshness.
With the right seasoning, stir-fried water spinach is not just tasty, but also able to whet the appetite so that every bite feels satisfying. Come on, explore various combinations of spices and find your favorite flavor!
7. Tips for Storing Water Spinach to Keep It Fresh Before Cooking
To keep water spinach fresh and crunchy before processing, store it properly! Wrap this green vegetable in paper or kitchen tissue, then place it in a perforated plastic bag. Avoid washing it before storing, as moisture can accelerate the rotting process.
Many people often make the mistake of storing water spinach while it's wet, which actually causes it to wilt quickly. Also, make sure to place it in a cool spot away from direct sunlight to maintain the freshness of the water spinach!
8. Answers to Common Questions About Stir-Fried Water Spinach
Stir-fried water spinach is a simple dish but often raises interesting questions!
Why does water spinach turn black? This usually happens due to excessive heat or cooking for too long. To maintain the green freshness of this vegetable, use high heat, minimize stirring, and remove it from the heat as soon as it's cooked.
Then, does water spinach need to be boiled before stir-frying? It turns out, no need! Boiling it can actually make the water spinach limp and lose its bright color.
And if your stir-fry is too watery, just reduce the amount of water when cooking and make sure the water spinach is well-drained. With these tips, your stir-fried water spinach will surely be more appetizing!
(kpl/sfh)
Disclaimer: This translation from Bahasa Indonesia to English has been generated by Artificial Intelligence.