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A completed dish of Thai basil beef served over white rice in a gray bowl. The dish features ground beef, red bell peppers, and fresh basil leaves, garnished with sliced green onions.

Thai Basil Beef

A flavorful, quick, and customizable Thai basil beef dish that's ready in under 30 minutes!
5 from 1 vote
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Course: dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Thai
Keyword: Ground Beef Recipe, Quick Dinner, Thai Basil, Thai Basil Beef
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 5
Calories: 295kcal
Cost: $10

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil For sautéing
  • 2 shallots chopped Adds mild sweetness and texture
  • 8 cloves garlic minced Aromatic base
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger minced Adds warmth and spice
  • 1 red bell pepper thinly sliced Adds color and sweetness
  • 1.5 lbs lean ground beef Use ground chicken or pork for variation
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar Balances the savory flavors
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce Provides umami
  • ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce Savory, salty base
  • 1.5 tablespoons oyster sauce Adds richness, substitute hoisin if needed
  • 2 –3 tablespoons chili paste with garlic Adjust to spice preference
  • ¾ cup low-sodium beef broth For liquid and richness
  • ⅓ cup water Dilutes the broth slightly for sauce consistency
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch Thickens the sauce
  • 1.5 cups holy basil leaves chopped Traditional herb for authentic flavor
  • 3 green onions chopped For garnish
  • 5 cups hot cooked rice For serving

Instructions

  • Heat the vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add the shallots, garlic, ginger, and red bell pepper. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, until softened.
  • Push the vegetables to one side of the pan, then add the ground beef. Break it up into small pieces as it cooks. (A meat chopper works well for this.)
  • In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, fish sauce, soy sauce, oyster sauce, chili paste, cornstarch, beef broth, and water. Stir until well mixed, then pour it into the pan.
  • Simmer for 5-10 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and flavors to meld.
  • Add the chopped basil leaves to the pan and stir well.
  • Serve the Thai basil beef over hot rice and garnish with chopped green onions.

Notes

This Thai Basil Beef is a quick and customizable meal, perfect for a busy weeknight. The flavor comes together beautifully with a balance of sweet, savory, and spicy, all served over warm rice!

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 295kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 84mg | Sodium: 1854mg | Potassium: 818mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1219IU | Vitamin C: 45mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 4mg