The Best Thai Basil Beef in 15 Minutes (Pad Kra Pao)

ground meat

🥗Healthier: tofu

💰Cheaper: chicken

Tofu offers a plant-based protein option.

Thai basil

🥗Healthier: sweet basil

💰Cheaper: regular basil

Sweet basil is more widely available.

oyster sauce

🥗Healthier: mushroom sauce

💰Cheaper: soy sauce

Mushroom sauce provides a similar umami flavor.

bird's eye chili

🥗Healthier: jalapeño

💰Cheaper: red pepper flakes

Jalapeños are milder and easier to find.

Prepare the ingredients: 450 grams of ground beef, 7 cloves of garlic, 3 Thai chilies, 1 shallot, and red and green mild chilies.

In a mortar and pestle, crush 7 cloves of garlic and 3 Thai chilies into a rough paste. If you don't have a mortar and pestle, you can use a knife or food processor.

In a small container, mix 1 tablespoon of fish sauce, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 teaspoon of black soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce, and 1.5 teaspoons of sugar to create the sauce.

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a wok or pan over high heat.

Add 450 grams of ground beef to the pan, spreading it out and letting it cook for about 2 minutes until browned on the bottom.

Flip the beef and stir-fry for about 3 minutes, rendering out the fat and evaporating the liquid.

Once the beef is cooked, add the chili garlic paste and stir-fry for about 1-2 minutes over medium-high heat.

Pour in the sauce mixture and stir for about 1 minute, tasting and adjusting with more salt or fish sauce if needed.

Turn off the heat and add 1.5 cups of fresh basil leaves and a few shakes of black pepper, mixing everything together.

To make a fried egg, heat a generous amount of oil in a pan over medium-high heat and add 1 egg, frying it until crispy.

Assemble the dish by placing rice on a plate, adding a generous amount of the beef stir-fry, and topping it with the crispy fried egg.

For an authentic condiment, mix 2 tablespoons of fish sauce, 1 teaspoon of minced garlic, thinly sliced chili, a pinch of sugar, and the juice from half a lime in a small bowl.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens