Stir-Fried Thai Basil Beef with Chili and Garlic

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant and spicy Thai stir-fry featuring tender beef strips infused with garlic, fresh chilies, and aromatic holy basil leaves. This thai ready in about 18 minutes pairs thinly sliced sirloin beef, vegetable oil, finely minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 310 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: 8 min Serves 3 Thai cuisine 310 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 4 cloves finely minced garlic and 3 thinly sliced bird's eye chilies; stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
  2. Step 2: Add 12 ounces thinly sliced sirloin beef and stir-fry over high heat for 2-3 minutes until the beef is mostly cooked and beginning to brown.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon fish sauce, and 1 teaspoon white sugar, tossing everything together for 1 minute until the sauce coats the beef evenly.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 cup fresh holy basil leaves and 1/4 teaspoon white pepper; stir-fry for another 30 seconds until the basil wilts and releases aroma. Remove from heat and serve immediately with steamed jasmine rice.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Stir-Fried Thai Basil Beef with Chili and Garlic take to make?

Total time is about 18 minutes (10 min prep + 8 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 Thai 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 thinly sliced sirloin beef from drying out.

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

Thai thai 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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