Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy – Ready in about 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy nights.
- Authentic Flavors – A delicious balance of spicy, savory, and slightly sweet.
- Minimal Ingredients – Uses pantry staples with fresh basil for a signature touch.
- Customizable – Easily adjust spice levels or swap proteins.
- One-Pan Meal – Less cleanup and hassle.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Ground beef
- Thai basil leaves (holy basil if available)
- Garlic
- Fresh red chilies (bird’s eye chilies for authentic spice)
- Soy sauce
- Oyster sauce
- Fish sauce
- Dark soy sauce (for color and depth)
- Sugar
- Cooking oil
- Cooked jasmine rice (for serving)
- Fried egg (optional, but highly recommended)
Directions
- Prepare ingredients – Mince the garlic and chilies, and pick the Thai basil leaves from the stems.
- Cook the beef – Heat oil in a pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and chilies, stirring until fragrant. Add the ground beef and cook until browned.
- Make the sauce – Stir in soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, dark soy sauce, and sugar. Mix well and let it simmer for a minute.
- Add basil – Toss in the Thai basil leaves and stir until they wilt. Remove from heat immediately to preserve their fresh flavor.
- Serve – Spoon the beef over jasmine rice and top with a crispy fried egg for an authentic experience.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
Variations
- Different Proteins – Use ground chicken, pork, or even tofu for a vegetarian version.
- Milder Version – Reduce or omit the chilies for a less spicy dish.
- Extra Veggies – Add bell peppers, green beans, or onions for extra texture.
- Gluten-Free – Use tamari instead of soy sauce and check your oyster and fish sauces for gluten-free versions.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Warm in a skillet over medium heat or microwave in short intervals, stirring in between.
- Freezing: Not recommended, as the basil loses its freshness when frozen.
FAQs
Can I use regular basil instead of Thai basil?
Thai basil has a unique anise-like flavor, but regular basil can be used in a pinch.
Is Pad Kra Pao always spicy?
Traditionally, yes, but you can reduce or omit the chilies for a milder version.
What’s the best rice to serve with this?
Jasmine rice is the best choice for an authentic Thai experience.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes, substitute the beef with crumbled tofu and use a vegetarian oyster sauce.
What if I can’t find fish sauce?
You can replace it with extra soy sauce, though the flavor won’t be as deep.
How do I make the perfect fried egg for this dish?
Cook the egg in hot oil until the edges are crispy but the yolk remains runny.
Can I meal prep this recipe?
Yes, cook the beef mixture in advance and store it separately from the rice for easy reheating.
How do I thicken the sauce?
The sauce is naturally light, but you can add a cornstarch slurry for a thicker consistency.
What’s the difference between Thai basil and holy basil?
Holy basil has a spicier, more peppery flavor, while Thai basil is slightly sweeter.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! Just cook in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
Conclusion
Thai Basil Beef (Pad Kra Pao) is a quick, flavorful dish that’s perfect for a fuss-free dinner. Its bold and aromatic flavors make it an irresistible meal that’s easy to customize. Whether you like it spicy, mild, or with a different protein, this Thai classic is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen. Try it today and enjoy a taste of Thailand at home!
PrintThai Basil Beef (Pad Kra Pao)
This Thai Basil Beef (Pad Kra Pao) is a quick and flavorful stir-fry featuring ground beef, garlic, chilies, and fragrant Thai basil. Ready in just 20 minutes, this one-pan dish delivers bold, authentic Thai flavors with a perfect balance of spicy, savory, and slightly sweet notes. Serve it over jasmine rice and top with a crispy fried egg for a restaurant-quality meal at home!
- Prep Time: 5min
- Cook Time: 15min
- Total Time: 20min
- Yield: 4servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-Fry
- Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup Thai basil leaves (or holy basil)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 fresh red chilies (bird’s eye chilies for spice), finely chopped
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tsp dark soy sauce (for color and depth)
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tbsp cooking oil
- Cooked jasmine rice (for serving)
- Fried egg (optional, but highly recommended)
Instructions
Prep Ingredients – Mince the garlic and chilies, and separate the Thai basil leaves from the stems.
2️⃣ Cook the Beef – Heat oil in a pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add garlic and chilies, stirring until fragrant. Add ground beef and cook until browned.
3️⃣ Make the Sauce – Stir in soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, dark soy sauce, and sugar. Mix well and let simmer for 1 minute.
4️⃣ Add Basil – Toss in the Thai basil leaves and stir just until they wilt. Remove from heat immediately to preserve their fresh flavor.
5️⃣ Serve – Spoon the beef over jasmine rice and top with a crispy fried egg for an authentic Thai experience. Enjoy!
