One-Pot Thai Basil Beef with Jasmine Rice

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

Ground beef stir-fried with aromatic Thai basil, garlic, and chilies, served over fragrant jasmine rice for a quick and flavorful weeknight meal. This thai-inspired beef ready in about 35 minutes pairs ground beef (85% lean), vegetable oil, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Thai cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 1 1/2 cups jasmine rice under cold water until water runs clear. In a large deep skillet or wok, combine rice and 2 1/4 cups water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then cover and reduce heat to low. Cook for 15 minutes until rice is tender and water absorbed. Remove from heat and keep covered.
  2. Step 2: While rice cooks, heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a separate large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 thinly sliced red Thai chilies, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 lb ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking up with a spatula, for 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 3 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tbsp brown sugar. Cook for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the beef.
  5. Step 5: Remove skillet from heat and fold in 1 cup loosely packed fresh Thai basil leaves and 3 sliced green onions until the basil wilts.
  6. Step 6: Serve the Thai basil beef over the cooked jasmine rice, garnished with lime wedges for squeezing over each serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pot Thai Basil Beef with Jasmine Rice take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 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 with Jasmine Rice?

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 (85% lean) from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Thai Basil Beef with Jasmine Rice?

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 with Jasmine Rice 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 with Jasmine Rice?

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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