Spicy Stir-Fried Pork with Thai Basil and Chili
A vibrant Thai stir-fry featuring tender pork slices tossed with fresh basil and fiery chili, delivering a perfect balance of heat and aroma. This thai-inspired pork ready in about 20 minutes pairs grams pork shoulder, thinly sliced, fresh Thai basil leaves, red bird’s eye chilies, sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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 pork shoulder, thinly sliced
- 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves
- 5 pieces red bird’s eye chilies, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp palm sugar
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/4 tsp white pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 5 sliced red bird’s eye chilies, stir-frying for about 30 seconds until fragrant and aromatic.
- Step 2: Add 300 grams thinly sliced pork shoulder to the wok, spreading it out and stir-frying for 3-4 minutes until the pork is cooked through and starting to brown around the edges.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp oyster sauce, and 1 tsp palm sugar, cooking for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and evenly coats the pork.
- Step 4: Toss in 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves and sprinkle 1/4 tsp white pepper, stir-frying for another 30 seconds until the basil wilts and releases its fragrance. Remove from heat and serve immediately.
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 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 Spicy Stir-Fried Pork with Thai 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 fresh thai basil leaves from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Stir-Fried Pork with Thai 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 Spicy Stir-Fried Pork with Thai 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 Spicy Stir-Fried Pork with Thai Basil and Chili?
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.
