High Protein Thai Basil Beef Stir Fry with Bell Peppers
A quick and savory stir fry featuring lean ground beef, crisp bell peppers, and aromatic Thai basil leaves tossed in a flavorful garlic-soy sauce. This thai-inspired beef (high protein) ready in about 25 minutes pairs lean ground beef, large red bell pepper, julienned, large green bell pepper, julienned for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 4, 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 large red bell pepper, julienned
- 1 large green bell pepper, julienned
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 cup, loosely packed fresh Thai basil leaves
- 1/2 tsp, optional red chili flakes
- 4 cups, for serving white rice, cooked
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb lean ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 large julienned red bell pepper and 1 large julienned green bell pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes until peppers are tender-crisp.
- Step 4: Add 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tsp brown sugar, and 1/2 tsp red chili flakes (if using). Stir well and cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the beef and vegetables.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and fold in 1 cup loosely packed fresh Thai basil leaves, stirring until wilted.
- Step 6: Serve immediately with 4 cups cooked white rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does High Protein Thai Basil Beef Stir Fry with Bell Peppers take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 High Protein Thai Basil Beef Stir Fry with Bell Peppers?
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 lean ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in High Protein Thai Basil Beef Stir Fry with Bell Peppers?
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 High Protein Thai Basil Beef Stir Fry with Bell Peppers for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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.
Is High Protein Thai Basil Beef Stir Fry with Bell Peppers high protein?
Yes — this recipe is tagged high protein based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
