Stovetop Thai Basil Beef Stir Fry

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

A quick and aromatic stir fry featuring ground beef, fresh Thai basil, and a savory-spicy sauce perfect over steamed rice. This thai-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs ground beef, vegetable oil, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Thai cuisine 420 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 small thinly sliced red chili, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 lb ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and no pink remains.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tsp brown sugar. Cook for 2 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and coat the beef.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and fold in 1 cup loosely packed fresh Thai basil leaves and 2 sliced green onions until the basil wilts and releases aroma. Serve immediately with steamed jasmine rice.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Stovetop Thai Basil Beef Stir Fry take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Stovetop Thai Basil Beef Stir Fry?

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 ground beef from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Stovetop Thai Basil Beef Stir Fry?

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 Stovetop Thai Basil Beef Stir Fry 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 Stovetop Thai Basil Beef Stir Fry?

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.

Related recipes