Thai Basil Beef

Here’s a  Thai Basil Beef (Pad Gra Prow) recipe — a delicious and quick Thai stir-fry featuring ground beef, garlic, chili, and Thai holy basil. It’s savory, spicy, aromatic, and perfect with rice and a fried egg on top.

🇹🇭 Thai Basil Beef (Pad Kra Pao)

🛒 Ingredients

Main Ingredients:

• Ground beef – 500g (about 1 lb)

• Thai holy basil – 1 cup packed (can substitute with regular Thai basil if unavailable)

• Garlic cloves – 6 to 8, minced or crushed

• Thai bird’s eye chilies – 4 to 8, finely chopped (adjust to spice level)

• Shallots – 2 small, finely sliced (optional)

• Vegetable oil – 2 tbsp

• Cooked jasmine rice – for serving

• Eggs – 2 (optional, for frying on top)

Stir-Fry Sauce:

• Oyster sauce – 1½ tbsp

• Soy sauce (light) – 1 tbsp

• Dark soy sauce – 1 tsp (adds color)

• Fish sauce – 1 tbsp

• Sugar – 1 tsp (palm sugar preferred)

• Water – 2 tbsp

🥄 Prep Steps

1. Chop aromatics: Mince garlic and chilies together. This can be done with a knife or pounded in a mortar and pestle for a more traditional approach.

2. Mix sauce: In a small bowl, combine oyster sauce, soy sauces, fish sauce, sugar, and water. Set aside.

3. Wash basil: Rinse the Thai holy basil leaves and pat dry.

🔥 Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil: Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat.

2. Sauté aromatics: Add the garlic and chili mixture. Stir-fry for 15–30 seconds until fragrant (don’t let it burn).

3. Cook beef: Add the ground beef. Break it apart and cook until browned and no longer pink (about 3–5 minutes).

4. Add sauce: Pour in the prepared sauce. Stir well to coat all the meat and let it cook for another 2–3 minutes until it slightly thickens.

5. Add basil: Turn off the heat and immediately toss in the basil leaves. Stir until just wilted from the residual heat. (Don’t overcook the basil.)

🍳 Optional Fried Egg (Thai-style):

1. Heat ¼ cup oil in a small pan over high heat.

2. Crack an egg into the hot oil. Fry until crispy on the edges and the yolk is still runny.

3. Remove and drain on paper towels.

🍚 To Serve:

• Spoon the basil beef over steamed jasmine rice.

• Top with a crispy fried egg.

• Garnish with a wedge of lime and extra chilies if desired.

✅ Tips:

• Holy basil has a peppery, clove-like flavor — it’s different from sweet basil.

• Adjust the heat by changing the amount or type of chilies (e.g., use milder ones if needed).

• You can substitute ground chicken, pork, or tofu for beef.

• If using sliced beef instead of ground, cut it thinly against the grain and marinate briefly in a little soy sauce before cooking.