Stir-Fried Spicy Basil Beef with Garlic and Chili

By · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant Thai-inspired stir-fry featuring tender beef strips tossed with fresh basil, garlic, and fiery red chilies for a quick, flavorful meal. This thai-inspired stir fry ready in about 20 minutes pairs sirloin beef, thinly sliced, fresh Thai basil leaves, garlic cloves, minced 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 3 Thai cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 3 sliced red bird’s eye chilies, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
  2. Step 2: Add 12 oz thinly sliced sirloin beef to the wok and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until the beef is browned but still tender.
  3. Step 3: Toss in 1/2 a sliced white onion and 1 cup trimmed and halved green beans, stir-frying for another 2 minutes until the vegetables are crisp-tender.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp fish sauce, and 1 tsp brown sugar, stirring well to coat all ingredients and cook for 1 minute until the sauce thickens slightly.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and fold in 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves, stirring just until wilted and aromatic. Serve immediately over steamed rice.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Stir-Fried Spicy Basil Beef with Garlic 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 Stir-Fried Spicy Basil Beef with Garlic 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 sirloin beef, thinly sliced from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Spicy Basil Beef with Garlic 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 Stir-Fried Spicy Basil Beef with Garlic 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 Stir-Fried Spicy Basil Beef with Garlic and Chili?

Thai stir fry 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.

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