Pan-Seared Thai Basil Pork with Jasmine Rice
Minced pork pan-seared with garlic, chilies, and fragrant Thai basil, served alongside fluffy jasmine rice for a quick and flavorful meal. This thai-inspired pork ready in about 35 minutes pairs minced pork, vegetable oil, finely chopped garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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.
Ingredients
- 300 g minced pork
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4, finely chopped garlic cloves
- 3, sliced thai bird chilies
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 cup, fresh thai holy basil leaves
- 1 cup, uncooked jasmine rice
- 1 1/2 cups water
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup jasmine rice under cold water until water runs clear, then combine with 1 1/2 cups water in a pot. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and rice is tender. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes.
- Step 2: While rice cooks, heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Step 3: Add 4 finely chopped garlic cloves and 3 sliced Thai bird chilies, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 4: Add 300 g minced pork and stir-fry for 5-7 minutes, breaking up the meat, until cooked through and starting to brown.
- Step 5: Stir in 2 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tsp sugar, cooking for another 2 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens and coats the pork.
- Step 6: Remove skillet from heat, then fold in 1 cup fresh Thai holy basil leaves until wilted and glossy.
- Step 7: Serve the spicy basil pork hot alongside the fluffy jasmine rice for a traditional Thai meal.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Thai Basil Pork 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 Pan-Seared Thai Basil Pork 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 minced pork from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Thai Basil Pork 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 Pan-Seared Thai Basil Pork with Jasmine Rice 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 Pan-Seared Thai Basil Pork with Jasmine Rice?
Thai pork 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.
