Minced Pork with Thai Basil Recipe

minced pork

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground chicken

Ground turkey is leaner, while ground chicken is often less expensive.

oyster sauce

🥗Healthier: hoisin sauce

💰Cheaper: soy sauce

Hoisin sauce provides a similar sweetness without shellfish.

Thai basil

🥗Healthier: sweet basil

💰Cheaper: regular basil

Sweet basil is more accessible and offers a similar flavor.

bird's eye chili

🥗Healthier: jalapeño

💰Cheaper: red pepper flakes

Jalapeños provide heat while being milder and easier to find.

Prepare the Thai basil: Strip the basil leaves from the stems by sliding your fingers along the stem. Set aside.

Chop the aromatics: Roughly chop a generous amount of garlic. Slice or chop bird’s eye chilies (adjust quantity for preferred spiciness).

Heat oil: Heat a wok over medium-high heat. Once hot, add oil.

Sauté garlic: Add the chopped garlic and stir-fry until fragrant.

Add minced pork: Stir in the minced pork. Mix with garlic to prevent it from burning. Add a pinch of salt to help draw out flavor.

Cook the pork: Stir-fry the pork over high heat until about 70–80% cooked through.

Add sauces: Add light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, fish sauce, white sugar, brown sugar, and your choice of bean paste or oyster sauce.

Add basil and chili: Stir in the Thai basil leaves and bird’s eye chili.

Toss and finish: Toss everything together until well mixed. Keep cooking until most of the liquid evaporates. Once you hear a sizzling sound, toss a few more times to bring out the aroma.

Serve: Serve hot with steamed rice.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens