Description
This vibrant 15-Minute Thai Basil Stir-Fry (Pad Ka Prao) recipe combines spicy ground beef sautéed with fragrant holy basil, garlic, and chili peppers. Served over jasmine rice with crispy fried eggs and fresh cucumber, it offers an authentic taste of Thai street food that’s quick and easy to prepare at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Vegetables
- 1 pound Ground Beef
- 1 bunch Holy Basil Leaf
- 3 Red Chili Pepper
- 3 clove Garlic
- 1 Cucumber
Sauces and Seasonings
- 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)
Other Ingredients
- 2 Egg
- 1/4 cup Vegetable Oil
- 1 cup Jasmine Rice
Instructions
- Prepare Garlic and Chili Paste: Using a mortar and pestle, pound 3 cloves of garlic and 3 red chili peppers together until crushed and fragrant. Set this chili-garlic paste aside for later use.
- Fry the Eggs: Heat 1/4 cup vegetable oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Once hot, crack in an egg. When the egg white begins to brown, move the yolk to the center and spoon hot oil over the edges to seal it. Cook until golden brown on the white side, about a minute. Repeat this process with the second egg. Set the crispy fried eggs aside.
- Prepare for Stir-Frying: Pour the used frying oil into a heat-proof container, leaving a small amount in the wok. Keep the wok on medium-high heat, then add the crushed garlic and chili paste. Stir fry quickly for a few seconds until fragrant and lightly browned.
- Cook the Ground Beef: Add 1 pound of ground beef to the wok. Stir immediately, then add 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, 1/2 tablespoon dark soy sauce, 1/2 tablespoon fish sauce, and 1 teaspoon granulated sugar. Stir fry everything together for 2-3 minutes until the beef is cooked and the sauces are well combined.
- Add the Holy Basil: Toss in the holy basil leaves. Stir quickly just until the basil wilts and releases its aroma, roughly 30 seconds.
- Plate and Serve: Spoon the hot jasmine rice onto plates, topped with the spicy basil ground beef stir-fry. Garnish each plate with a crispy fried egg and slices of fresh cucumber. Optionally, serve with a dipping sauce made from fish sauce, red chili pepper, and lime juice to add extra flavor to the dish.
Notes
- Holy basil is key for authentic flavor; if unavailable, Thai basil can be a substitute but with a slightly different taste.
- The chili paste can be adjusted according to your heat preference; reduce the number of chilies for milder heat.
- Use vegetable oil or other neutral oils with a high smoke point for frying.
- Cook the eggs crispy for a traditional Thai street food texture, but you can cook them to your preferred doneness.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure the oyster and soy sauces are gluten-free.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to two days but are best eaten fresh.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Thai
Keywords: Thai stir-fry, Pad Ka Prao, Thai basil beef, ground beef stir-fry, quick Thai recipe, spicy Thai food, 15-minute meals
