Sizzling Spicy Thai Basil Beef (Pad Kra Pao) Recipe For Dinner

Beef sizzles with aromatic spicy thai basil beef dancing through a wok of vibrant flavors.

Street food champions this classic Thai dish bursting with umami and heat.

Tender slices of meat caramelize against high flames, creating a symphony of taste.

Authentic ingredients blend seamlessly, promising a culinary journey straight from Bangkok’s bustling markets.

Each bite delivers a punch of complex seasonings that awaken your senses.

Home cooks can easily recreate this restaurant-quality meal with simple techniques.

You’ll want to savor every single morsel of this irresistible Thai delight.

Spicy Thai Basil Beef Must-Haves

• Oyster Sauce: Delivers rich umami depth that amplifies meat's savory profile.
• Soy Sauce: Provides salty foundation and deep brown color to the dish.
• Fish Sauce: Adds complex, tangy seasoning signature to authentic Thai cooking.
• Dark Soy Sauce: Contributes deep color and robust caramel-like undertone.
• Brown Sugar: Balances flavors with subtle sweetness and helps create glossy sauce.
• Water: Helps blend and thin sauce for perfect coating consistency.

• Beef: Choose ground or finely chopped sirloin for quick cooking and tender texture, select meat with moderate fat content for juiciness.

• Thai Basil: Must use fresh Thai basil for authentic herbaceous punch, look for bright green leaves with no wilting.
• Garlic: Select firm, plump cloves for sharp, pungent flavor base.
• Thai Chili Peppers: Choose bright red, firm chilies for authentic heat level, can adjust quantity for personal spice preference.

What You’ll Need to Cook Pad Kra Pao

• Large skillet or wok: Essential for high-heat stir-frying and getting that perfect sear on the beef.
• Small bowl: Perfect for mixing and combining the sauce ingredients quickly.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and tossing beef and ingredients without scratching the pan.
• Cutting board: Helps prepare ingredients with clean, precise cuts.
• Sharp knife: Needed for slicing beef and chopping garlic and chili peppers.

Instructions for Thai Basil Beef Perfection

• Whip Up The Sauce

Combine all liquid ingredients in a small bowl, blending them thoroughly to create a harmonious flavor profile that will dance across your taste buds.

• Prep The Protein

Heat your wok or large skillet until it’s blazing hot, then drop in the ground beef, breaking it into bite-sized crumbles that will soak up all the delicious seasonings.

• Sizzle And Season

Let the beef brown and release its rich juices, then sprinkle in fresh garlic and chili peppers, creating an aromatic explosion that will make your kitchen smell incredible.

• Pour And Glaze

Drizzle the prepared sauce over the sizzling beef, stirring rapidly to ensure every morsel gets coated in the glossy, umami-packed liquid.

• Toss In The Basil

Remove the pan from heat and quickly fold in fresh Thai basil leaves, allowing their fragrant essence to wilt and infuse the entire dish with a bright, peppery kick.

• Serve It Up

Transfer the steaming beef onto a bed of fluffy rice, garnishing with a crispy fried egg if desired, and get ready to enjoy a restaurant-quality meal right at home.

Thai Cooking Tips & Heat Level Hacks

• Flavor Boost: Toast the dried chili peppers in a dry skillet for 30 seconds before grinding to release their deep, smoky essence and enhance the overall heat and aroma.
• Low-Carb Twist: Replace rice with cauliflower rice or serve over zucchini noodles for a lighter, keto-friendly version that maintains the traditional Thai flavor profile.
• Vegetarian Alternative: Swap ground beef with crumbled extra-firm tofu or plant-based ground meat substitute, ensuring you press out excess moisture for better texture and browning.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust the number of Thai chili peppers to match your heat tolerance – remove seeds for mild warmth or add extra for a fiery kick that'll make your taste buds dance.
• Meal Prep Magic: Cook the beef mixture in advance and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days, quickly reheating and serving over fresh rice or noodles for a speedy weeknight dinner.

Best Ways to Plate Pad Kra Pao

• Spicy Rice Companion: Serve this zesty beef over steamed jasmine rice to soak up all the delicious sauce and balance the heat.
• Sunny-Side Topper: Crown the dish with a crispy fried egg, letting the runny yolk mix with the savory beef for an extra layer of richness.
• Fresh Crunch Accent: Garnish with sliced cucumber and pickled chilies to add a cool, tangy contrast to the spicy meat and provide a refreshing bite.
• Herb Brightness Boost: Sprinkle fresh Thai basil leaves on top right before serving to enhance the aromatic flavors and add a vibrant green touch to the plate.

Storage & Leftovers for Thai Basil Beef

• Quick Refrigeration Tactics: Store leftover Thai basil beef in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Smart Reheating Method: Warm the dish in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water to prevent drying and restore the original moisture and flavor profile.
• Freezing Strategy: Pack cooled beef in freezer-safe containers, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Frozen portions remain delicious for 2-3 months when properly sealed.
• Ingredient Separation Tip: Keep rice and beef stored separately to maintain optimal texture, preventing soggy leftovers and ensuring each component stays crisp and appetizing when reheated.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 4

Spicy Thai Basil Beef (Pad Kra Pao) Recipe

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• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Sizzling Thai basil beef brings spicy, aromatic flavors from Bangkok’s street kitchens. Fragrant herbs and quick stir-frying create a delicious meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 (450g / 16 oz) ground beef (or thinly sliced flank steak)
• 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves (or regular basil if unavailable)
• 1 red bell pepper (sliced, optional for color & crunch)
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 Thai red chilies (sliced, adjust for spice level)
• ½ small onion (sliced, optional for sweetness)
• 2 tbsps oyster sauce
• 1 tbsp soy sauce (light or low-sodium preferred)
• 1 tbsp fish sauce (adds umami, but optional)
• 1 tsp dark soy sauce (for deep color, optional)
• 1 tbsp brown sugar or honey (balances the flavors)
• ¼ cup water or beef broth
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil (or sesame oil)
• Steamed jasmine rice
• Fried eggs (optional but traditional!)
• Extra Thai basil & red chilies (for garnish, optional)

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Instructions

1. Sauce Preparation: Whisk oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, dark soy sauce, brown sugar, and water in a vessel until completely blended, allowing flavors to harmonize while preparing other components.
2. High-Heat Searing: Ignite wok or skillet to maximum temperature, swiftly stir-frying minced beef until crisp and golden, creating textural complexity with rapid, continuous movement.
3. Aromatic Infusion: Introduce chopped garlic and chili peppers into the seared beef, generating an intense fragrant base that transforms the protein’s fundamental character.
4. Flavor Layering: Cascade prepared sauce over beef mixture, enabling caramelization that coats each morsel with a glossy, umami-rich glaze while maintaining dynamic texture.
5. Herbal Finale: Rapidly fold fresh Thai basil leaves into the sizzling preparation, ensuring immediate removal from heat to preserve their vibrant green color and release their peppery essence.
6. Presentation: Transfer the glistening beef atop steamed jasmine rice, crowning the dish with additional fresh basil leaves to amplify the authentic Thai culinary experience.

Notes

• Maximize Meat Texture: Use high-fat ground beef (80/20) to ensure juicy, crispy edges when stir-frying at extremely high heat.
• Prevent Basil Bitterness: Add Thai basil leaves at the very end of cooking and remove from heat instantly to maintain bright color and prevent oxidation that creates bitter undertones.
• Control Spice Levels: Adjust chili pepper quantity based on personal heat tolerance – remove seeds for milder version or use bird’s eye chilies for intense heat.
• Enhance Authenticity: Use genuine Thai basil instead of regular sweet basil for authentic flavor profile, as its distinct peppery and anise-like taste defines the dish’s characteristic essence.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Thai

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg