This spicy Thai Basil Beef (Pad Kra Pao) with ground beef, Thai basil, and fried egg is on our weekly menu - it's flavorful, protein-packed, and ready in just 30 minutes!
Our Go-To Thai Lunch Recipe
"Hon, what should I make for lunch today?" - "Thai Basil Beef!" That's a common conversation in our house. Honestly, I cook this dish almost every week for lunch or dinner. It's quick, requires just a few ingredients, is well-balanced, high in protein, and so incredibly delicious!
Thai Basil Beef is one of those dishes that instantly transports you to the street kitchens of Thailand - bold flavors, lots of aromatics, and just the right amount of heat. I slightly adapted the traditional recipe and like to add bell pepper for extra fiber, vitamins, and flavor.
Prefer a meat-free version? Try my Thai Basil Tofu!
With Love, Aline
What Is Pad Kra Pao?
Pad Kra Pao is a classic Thai stir-fry dish. The name literally translates to "stir-fried with holy basil." Traditionally, it's made with ground meat, garlic, chili, and holy basil, served over jasmine rice with a crispy fried egg on top.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients
See recipe card for measurements.
- Ground Beef: I prefer organic ground beef, but ground pork or chicken works too (with chicken it's called Pad Kra Pao Gai).
- Thai Basil: The star ingredient with its unique, peppery, slightly sweet flavor. If you can't find Thai basil, regular basil works, though the flavor will be milder.
- Bell Pepper: I love using red bell pepper for extra crunch and sweetness.
- Onion, Garlic & Ginger: Classic stir-fry aromatics.
- Sauce: A mix of soy sauce, fish sauce, oyster sauce, sambal oelek, lime juice, and brown sugar for that perfect sweet-salty-spicy balance.
- Rice: Jasmine or basmati rice.
- Optional: A drizzle of spicy chili crisp on the fried egg yolk for extra heat.
How To Make
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01
Make the Sauce
Whisk together all sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside. Good prep work makes cooking super fast!
02
Cook the Beef
Heat ½ tablespoon oil in a wok. Add ground beef and stir-fry for 3 minutes until browned. Add garlic and ginger, cook for 1 more minute.
03
Add Veggies & Sauce
Toss in bell pepper and onion, stir-fry for 5 minutes. Pour in the sauce and add Thai basil. Stir-fry for 1 more minute until the basil wilts. Season with black pepper.
04
Fry the Eggs
Meanwhile, fry 2 eggs in a skillet with a little oil until the edges are crispy.
05
Serve
Serve jasmine rice topped with Thai Basil Beef and a fried egg. Optionally, drizzle with spicy chili crisp for extra flavor.
Thai Holy Basil vs. Thai Sweet Basil
- Holy Basil (Krapao): Peppery, spicy, and the authentic choice for Pad Kra Pao.
- Thai Sweet Basil (Horapa): Milder with a slight anise flavor, more common in curries.
In many Western supermarkets, only Thai Sweet Basil is available and simply labeled as "Thai Basil." That's what I often use when I don't have time to visit the Asian market.
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📖 Recipe
Thai Basil Beef (Pad Kra Pao)
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Plus, enjoy weekly doses of recipe inspiration as a bonus!
Ingredients
- ½ cup jasmine rice, or basmati rice
Thai Basil Beef
- ½ EL oil
- 10 ounces ground beef
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ inch piece ginger, minced
- 1 yellow onion, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, in dünnen Scheiben
- 1 cup fresh Thai basil, see notes
- some black pepper
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon sambal oelek
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- ½ tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon water
- 2 eggs
Instructions
- Rice: Cook the rice according to the package instructions. For the best results, I cook mine in a rice cooker using ½ cup (125ml) of water.
- Whisk together all sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
- Heat ½ tablespoon oil in a wok. Add ground beef and stir-fry for 3 minutes until browned. Add garlic and ginger, cook for 1 more minute.
- Toss in bell pepper and onion, stir-fry for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, fry 2 eggs in a skillet with a little oil until the edges are crispy.
- Pour in the sauce and add Thai basil. Stir-fry for 1 more minute until the basil wilts. Season with black pepper.
- Serve jasmine rice topped with Thai Basil Beef and a fried egg. Optionally, drizzle with spicy chili crisp for extra flavor.
Notes
- Basil: The authentic recipe uses Thai holy basil, but Thai sweet basil is easier to find in Western grocery stores and works perfectly for this dish. If neither is available, regular basil can be used as a substitute, though the flavor will be slightly different.
- Leftovers can be stored for up to 3 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
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