Spicy Stir-Fried Pork with Thai Basil
A flavorful Thai pork stir-fry with fresh basil and spicy chilies, perfect for a quick and satisfying meal. This thai-inspired pork ready in about 25 minutes pairs grams ground pork, fresh Thai basil leaves, finely chopped red bird’s eye chilies 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
- 300 grams ground pork
- 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves
- 4, finely chopped red bird’s eye chilies
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tsp palm sugar
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 small, sliced white onion
- to serve steamed jasmine rice
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 4 finely chopped red bird’s eye chilies, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
- Step 2: Add 300 grams ground pork, breaking it up with a spatula, and cook for 5-6 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 small sliced white onion and cook for 2 minutes until slightly softened.
- Step 4: Mix 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon fish sauce, 1 teaspoon palm sugar, and 2 tablespoons water in a small bowl, then pour over the pork mixture. Stir-fry for another 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the pork.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and toss in 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves until wilted and fragrant.
- Step 6: Serve immediately with steamed jasmine rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Stir-Fried Pork with Thai Basil 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 Spicy Stir-Fried Pork with Thai Basil?
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 grams ground pork from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Stir-Fried Pork with Thai Basil?
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 Spicy Stir-Fried Pork with Thai Basil 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 Spicy Stir-Fried Pork with Thai Basil?
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.
