One-Pot Thai Basil Beef Stir-Fry
Quick and savory ground beef stir-fried with garlic, chili, and fresh Thai basil leaves for a fragrant, easy weeknight meal. This thai-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs (85% lean) ground beef, vegetable oil, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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 (85% lean) ground beef
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1, thinly sliced (optional for heat) red Thai chili
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 cup, loosely packed fresh Thai basil leaves
- 3 cups cooked, for serving white jasmine rice
- for serving lime wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 thinly sliced red Thai chili, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant and just starting to brown.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, for 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp brown sugar, and 1/4 cup water. Cook for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the beef.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and fold in 1 cup loosely packed fresh Thai basil leaves until wilted.
- Step 5: Serve immediately over 3 cups cooked jasmine rice with lime wedges on the side for squeezing.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Thai Basil Beef Stir-Fry 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 One-Pot 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 (85% lean) ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot 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 One-Pot Thai Basil Beef Stir-Fry 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.
What goes well with One-Pot 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.
