How to Make Thai Basil Stir Fry - Pad Kaprow with Minced Beef ผัดกะเพราเนื้อ

ground meat

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground chicken

Ground turkey is leaner and lower in calories.

oyster sauce

🥗Healthier: soy sauce

💰Cheaper: hoisin sauce

Soy sauce is lower in calories and sodium.

basil leaves

🥗Healthier: spinach

💰Cheaper: cilantro

Spinach is more widely available and nutritious.

chili peppers

🥗Healthier: jalapeños

💰Cheaper: red pepper flakes

Jalapeños provide similar heat with less cost.

Welcome to ‘Thai Girl in the Kitchen’.

Today’s recipe is ‘Pad Kaprao’ with minced beef.

For the protein, we’re using minced beef. You can also use pork, chicken, or seafood.

For the chilis, use as much as you can tolerate. You can use fresh Thai and bird eye chilis.

The main ingredient is Holy basil, but if you can't find it, use Thai basil or Italian basil as alternatives.

We need fish sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, pepper powder, and sweet black soy sauce (optional) for flavor.

Heat vegetable oil in a pan/wok over medium heat.

Toast dried chilis in the oil until fragrant, if using dried chilis.

Get your mortar and pestle to roughly pound the garlic and chilis, or you can mash them with a knife.

Set the pounded garlic and chilis aside.

Rinse the Holy basil leaves thoroughly.

Fry the pounded garlic and chili in the pan for about half a minute.

Add the minced beef and keep stirring until the beef is about 80% cooked.

Season with 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon fish sauce, 1/2 tablespoon sugar, and pepper powder to taste.

Add a little bit of sweet black soy sauce for color and umami flavor, and mix well until the beef is completely cooked.

Turn off the heat and add the Holy basil, mixing just until wilted.

Add a few more dried chilis for garnishing.

Serve with jasmine rice, fried egg, and cool crunchy veggies.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens