Name: 15-Minute Thai Basil Stir-Fry (Pad Krapow) Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients: 1 pound Ground Beef; 1 bunch Holy Basil Leaf; 3 Red Chili Pepper; 3 clove Garlic; 1 Cucumber; 1 tablespoon Oyster Sauce; 1/2 tablespoon Dark Soy Sauce; 1/2 tablespoon Fish Sauce; 1 teaspoon Granulated Sugar; to taste Fish Sauce (for serving); to taste Red Chili Pepper (for serving); to taste Lime (for serving); 2 Egg; 1/4 cup Vegetable Oil; 1 cup Jasmine Rice

Introduction

Experience the vibrant flavors of Thailand with this quick and easy 15-Minute Thai Basil Stir-Fry, also known as Pad Ka Prao. This dish features fragrant holy basil, spicy chili, and savory ground beef served over jasmine rice with a crispy fried egg on top. It’s a perfect weeknight meal full of bold tastes and satisfying textures.

A white round plate holds a dish with four main layers arranged side by side: a mound of fluffy white rice on the left, topped with small slices of red chili; next to it is a portion of browned minced meat mixed with green leafy herbs, red chili pieces, and thin slices of golden garlic; to the right of that sits a sunny-side-up egg with a bright orange yolk and a few red chili slices on top; at the bottom, there are five slices of fresh cucumber lined up next to the egg and rice. The plate rests on a white marbled surface, surrounded by bright red chili peppers, garlic bulbs, a small bowl of chili-garlic sauce, a lime, and a small dish with cucumber and lemon slices on a green cloth. A fork and spoon with dark handles lie beside the plate. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef

1 bunch holy basil leaves

3 red chili peppers

3 cloves garlic

1 tablespoon oyster sauce

1/2 tablespoon dark soy sauce

1/2 tablespoon fish sauce

1 teaspoon granulated sugar

2 eggs

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 cup jasmine rice

1 cucumber

Fish sauce, to taste (optional)

Red chili pepper, to taste (optional)

Lime, to taste (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Using a mortar and pestle, pound the garlic cloves and red chili peppers until they are crushed. Set aside.

Step 2: Heat vegetable oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Crack one egg into the hot oil. Once the white starts to color, place the yolk in the center and spoon hot oil over the edges to seal it. Cook until the white turns golden brown, about a minute. Repeat with the second egg and set both aside.

Step 3: Reserve most of the frying oil in a heat-proof container, leaving just a small amount in the wok. Keep the wok over medium-high heat and add the crushed garlic and chili. Stir fry briefly until fragrant and starting to brown.

Step 4: Add the ground beef to the wok and stir quickly. Then stir in oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, fish sauce, and granulated sugar. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally until the beef is cooked through.

Step 5: Add the holy basil leaves and stir briefly until they wilt.

Step 6: Serve the stir-fry over cooked jasmine rice topped with the crispy fried eggs and slices of cucumber. Optionally, prepare a chili fish sauce by combining fish sauce, red chili peppers, and lime to taste for an extra kick.

Tips & Variations

For a milder version, reduce the number of chili peppers or remove their seeds before pounding.

You can substitute ground chicken or pork for beef.

Use Thai holy basil if available for the most authentic flavor; otherwise, Thai basil or even sweet basil works as a substitute.

Serve with extra lime wedges for bright acidity.

Cook jasmine rice ahead of time or use leftover rice to save time.

FAQs

Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Yes, substitute the ground beef with firm tofu or chopped mushrooms, and use vegetarian oyster sauce or soy sauce to keep it plant-based.

What if I can’t find holy basil?

Thai holy basil has a unique peppery and slightly spicy flavor, but you can use Thai basil or sweet basil as a substitute. While the flavor will differ slightly, it will still add a nice herbal aroma to the dish.