Thai Basil Beef (Pad Kra Pao) is a flavorful, spicy stir-fry that combines tender beef, aromatic Thai basil, and a spicy, savory sauce. It’s a quick and easy dish that delivers a satisfying punch of heat and fragrance. Perfect over steamed rice for a complete meal! 🌿🥩🌶️
🕒 Time: 15 minutes prep + 10 minutes cooking
🍽 Serves: 2-3
🌟 Ingredients:
For the Stir-Fry:
- 500g ground beef (or thinly sliced beef sirloin or flank steak)
- 1–2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2-3 Thai bird’s eye chilies (adjust based on spice preference) 🌶️
- 1 medium onion (sliced)
- 1 bell pepper (sliced) (optional)
- 1–2 tbsp fish sauce (or soy sauce if preferred)
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce (for color and depth)
- 1 tbsp sugar (preferably palm sugar)
- 1/4 cup chicken or beef broth
- 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves (packed)
For Serving:
- Steamed jasmine rice 🍚
- Fried egg (optional, for topping) 🍳
🔪 Instructions:
- Prepare the Ingredients:
- Mince the garlic and chop the chilies, onion, and bell pepper (if using).
- Wash the Thai basil leaves and set aside.
- Cook the Beef:
- Heat vegetable oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add the garlic and chilies, stirring quickly for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef (or thinly sliced beef) and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through.
- Add the Sauce:
- Stir in the fish sauce, oyster sauce, soy sauce, and sugar.
- Add the broth and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Let it cook for about 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to combine.
- Add the Vegetables:
- Add the sliced onion and bell pepper (if using) to the pan and cook for another 2 minutes until slightly tender, but still crisp.
- Finish with Basil:
- Stir in the fresh Thai basil leaves and cook for another minute, just until the basil wilts.
- Serve:
- Serve the Thai basil beef hot over steamed jasmine rice.
- Top with a fried egg (optional) for extra richness.
🍽️ Perfect Pairings:
- Steamed jasmine rice 🍚
- Cucumber salad or pickled vegetables 🥒
- Thai-style stir-fried vegetables 🥦
- A side of fresh lime wedges 🍋 (for squeezing over the dish)
💡 Tips:
- Adjust the spice level: Add more or less chili depending on your heat tolerance. Thai bird’s eye chilies are very spicy, so feel free to adjust! 🌶️
- For extra flavor: Use ground pork or chicken as an alternative protein.
- Fried egg tip: Fry the egg sunny side up, with a crispy edge for extra texture and richness.
Thai Basil Beef (Pad Kra Pao) = fragrant, savory, and spicy with the aromatic freshness of basil! 🌿🔥
Would you like a vegetarian version using tofu or mushrooms instead of meat? 🍄
