Stir-Fried Basil Beef with Chili and Garlic
A fragrant and spicy stir-fry featuring tender strips of beef, fresh Thai basil, and a punchy chili-garlic sauce. This Thai-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs flank steak, garlic cloves, fresh Thai 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 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, thinly sliced against the grain flank steak
- 5, finely minced garlic cloves
- 3, thinly sliced fresh Thai bird’s eye chilies
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 cup, loosely packed fresh Thai basil leaves
- 1/4 tsp white pepper
- for serving steamed jasmine rice
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 5 minced garlic cloves and 3 thinly sliced bird’s eye chilies, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak to the wok and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the beef begins to brown but is still tender.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp oyster sauce, 1 tbsp fish sauce, and 1 tsp sugar, tossing everything together for 1 minute to coat the beef evenly.
- Step 4: Add 1 cup loosely packed fresh Thai basil leaves and 1/4 tsp white pepper, stirring until the basil wilts and releases its aroma, about 30 seconds.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and serve immediately over steamed jasmine rice to soak up the flavorful sauce.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Basil Beef with Chili and Garlic take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (15 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 Stir-Fried Basil Beef with Chili and Garlic?
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 flank steak from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Basil Beef with Chili and Garlic?
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 Stir-Fried Basil Beef with Chili and Garlic 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 Stir-Fried Basil Beef with Chili and Garlic?
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.
