Spiced Thai Beef Stir-Fry with Basil and Chili
Quick stir-fried beef infused with aromatic Thai basil, fresh chili, and a savory sauce for a bold, spicy dinner. This thai-inspired beef ready in about 20 minutes pairs vegetable oil, minced garlic cloves, thinly sliced red Thai chili for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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
- 12 oz, thinly sliced against the grain sirloin steak
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1, thinly sliced red Thai chili
- 1 cup, trimmed and halved green beans
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 thinly sliced red Thai chili, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 12 oz thinly sliced sirloin steak and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until the beef is medium-rare and starting to brown.
- Step 3: Toss in 1 cup halved green beans and continue stir-frying for 3 minutes until the beans are bright green and tender-crisp.
- Step 4: Stir in 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp fish sauce, and 1 tsp brown sugar, cooking for another minute until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the ingredients.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and fold in 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves and 1 tbsp lime juice. Season with 1/4 tsp black pepper, toss gently, and serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Thai Beef Stir-Fry with Basil and Chili take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 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 Spiced Thai Beef Stir-Fry with Basil and Chili?
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 vegetable oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Thai Beef Stir-Fry with Basil and Chili?
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 Spiced Thai Beef Stir-Fry with Basil and Chili 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 Spiced Thai Beef Stir-Fry with Basil and Chili?
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.
