Stir-Fried Thai Basil Beef with Garlic and Chili
A vibrant stir-fry combining tender beef slices with aromatic garlic, spicy chilies, and fresh Thai basil for a flavorful and quick dinner. This thai-inspired beef ready in about 20 minutes pairs sirloin beef, thinly sliced, vegetable oil, 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz sirloin beef, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 5 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 3 chilies bird’s eye chilies, sliced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves
- 1/4 tsp white pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 5 minced garlic cloves and 3 sliced bird’s eye chilies, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
- 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.
- Step 3: Pour in 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp oyster sauce, 1 tbsp fish sauce, and sprinkle 1 tsp sugar and 1/4 tsp white pepper. Stir everything together for 1 minute until the sauce thickens and evenly coats the beef.
- Step 4: Remove the wok from heat and immediately toss in 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves, stirring until the leaves wilt and release their aroma, about 30 seconds. Serve hot with steamed rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Thai 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 Thai 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 Thai 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 Thai 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 Thai Basil Beef with Garlic and Chili?
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.
