Half-Hour Spicy Thai Basil Beef Stir-Fry

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A quick and spicy Thai-inspired beef stir-fry with fresh basil and a balanced savory, sweet, and spicy sauce. This thai-inspired beef ready in about 30 minutes pairs ground beef, vegetable oil, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 3, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.0 (14 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 3 Thai cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 thinly sliced red chili peppers, stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
  2. Step 2: Add 12 oz ground beef and break it apart with a spatula. Cook stirring frequently for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 medium sliced onion and stir-fry for 2 minutes until slightly softened.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp fish sauce, and 1 tbsp brown sugar. Cook for 2 more minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the beef.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and fold in 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves and 2 chopped green onions until wilted and aromatic. Serve immediately with steamed jasmine rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Half-Hour Spicy Thai Basil Beef Stir-Fry take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Half-Hour Spicy Thai Basil Beef Stir-Fry?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Half-Hour Spicy Thai Basil Beef Stir-Fry?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Half-Hour Spicy Thai Basil Beef Stir-Fry for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Half-Hour Spicy Thai Basil Beef Stir-Fry?

Thai beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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