Stir-Fried Thai Basil Beef with Chili and Garlic

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · 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-inspired 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.

★ 4.0 (13 ratings) 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.

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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