Easy 15-Minute Thai Holy Basil Stir-Fry Recipe
A quick and flavorful Thai holy basil stir-fry featuring ground chicken or beef, fragrant garlic, chilies, and aromatic holy basil, finished with a savory sauce and served with jasmine rice. Ready in just 15 minutes, this classic Thai street food dish is perfect for a spicy and satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1 lb extra-lean ground chicken or ground beef
Herbs and Aromatics
- 1 cup holy basil or Thai basil (stems removed)
- 1 shallot or ¼ cup onion, finely diced
- 2 large red chili or bird’s eye chili, de-seeded and finely chopped
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
Liquids and Sauces
- ¼ cup chicken stock or beef stock, low-sodium
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil or any neutral oil
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce or vegetarian stir-fry sauce
- 2 teaspoons fish sauce
- 1 teaspoon regular soy sauce or light soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
Other
- 2 teaspoons white granulated sugar or cane sugar / palm sugar
- 2 fried eggs (optional)
- Cooked jasmine rice or any white rice of choice
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, combine the oyster sauce, fish sauce, sugar, light soy sauce, and dark soy sauce. Stir well until the sugar has completely dissolved. Set this sauce mixture aside for later use.
- Sauté aromatics: Heat the vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the finely diced shallot, minced garlic, and chopped red chilies. Stir-fry these ingredients until they soften and become fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Cook the meat: Add the ground chicken or beef to the pan. Use a spatula to break up the meat into small pieces, avoiding large chunks. Continue cooking until the moisture evaporates and the meat is slightly browned and cooked through.
- Add sauce and stock: Pour the prepared sauce over the cooked meat and stir-fry for about 30 seconds to blend the flavors. Then add the low-sodium chicken or beef stock, continuing to stir-fry for another 30 seconds to combine all elements well.
- Finish with basil: Add the fresh holy or Thai basil leaves to the pan. Stir-fry just until the basil softens and releases its aroma, approximately 15 seconds. Immediately transfer the dish to a serving plate to preserve freshness.
- Serve: Serve the Pad Kra Pao hot with steamed jasmine rice. Optionally, add a fried egg on top for a classic touch. Enjoy your flavorful Thai holy basil stir-fry!
Notes
- Use ground chicken for a lighter option or ground beef for a richer flavor.
- Adjust chilies according to your spice preference—remove seeds for less heat.
- Holy basil is preferred for authenticity, but Thai sweet basil works well as a substitute.
- Oyster sauce can be substituted with vegetarian stir-fry sauce for a vegetarian-friendly version.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the fresh aroma of the basil and crisp texture of the dish.
- Adding a fried egg on top is traditional and adds extra protein and richness to the meal.
Keywords: Thai holy basil stir-fry, Pad Kra Pao, ground chicken stir-fry, Thai basil recipe, quick Thai dinner, spicy Thai stir-fry
