Stovetop Thai Basil Beef Stir Fry
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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small red chili, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1 cup, loosely packed fresh Thai basil leaves
- 2 stalks green onions, sliced
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
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