This Thai Basil Beef (Stir-Fried Basil Beef) comes together in about 30 minutes and is made all in one pan for a quick and easy weeknight dinner that your family will absolutely love! Switch up the veggies or protein to suit your taste, or use it as a ‘clean out the fridge’ meal to make the most of leftovers and odds and ends! It’s such a versatile dish, perfect for busy folks and anyone who craves comfort food on a budget.
Ingredient Breakdown
To whip up this delicious Thai Basil Beef, you’ll need a handful of simple ingredients. Here’s a breakdown of what we’re using and why it matters:
2 tablespoons oil: A neutral oil like vegetable or canola works great for stir-frying. You want something that can handle high heat.
12 oz. beef: I like to use flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain. To keep it tender, mix it with 1 teaspoon oil and 2 teaspoons cornstarch before cooking. This little trick helps create a velvety texture!
5 cloves garlic: Fresh garlic is a must here. It adds a lovely aromatic base. If you’re a garlic lover (like me!), feel free to add more!
1/2 of a red bell pepper: Slice it thinly for a splash of color and sweetness. You can switch this out for any bell pepper or even snap peas if you prefer.
1 small onion: Thinly sliced. The sweetness of the onion caramelizes beautifully and adds a depth of flavor to the dish.
2 teaspoons soy sauce: This is your everyday soy sauce. It’s salty and savory, perfect for making that umami flavor pop!
1 teaspoon dark soy sauce: This adds color and a hint of sweetness. If you can’t find it, just use a little more of the regular soy sauce.
1 teaspoon oyster sauce: Trust me, this ingredient brings tons of flavor and richness to the dish. It’s a good one to keep in your pantry!
1 tablespoon fish sauce: This might sound intimidating, but it’s key for authentic flavor. Just a little adds such depth!
1/2 teaspoon sugar: Just to balance out all those savory flavors. It’s a tiny amount but does wonders!
1 cup Thai basil leaves: This is where the magic happens! Thai basil has a unique aroma and flavor, so don’t skip it! If you can’t find it, regular basil will work in a pinch but won’t give quite the same effect.
Cilantro: For garnish. Fresh cilantro really brightens the dish!
Substitutions and Variations
- Protein: Feel free to substitute ground beef, chicken, or tofu for a vegetarian option.
- Veggies: Swap in whatever veggies you have on hand like broccoli, snap peas, or zucchini! The world is your oyster!
How to Make Thai Basil Beef
Let’s dive into cooking, shall we? This part is super easy and straightforward! Follow along:
Step 1: Sear the Beef
Heat your wok (or a heavy skillet) over high heat like, really high. We’re talking about a few minutes here. Add 2 tablespoons of oil. You want that oil shimmering and hot!
Add the beef (which you’ve mixed with the oil and cornstarch). Sear it for about 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally until it’s just browned. You don’t want to cook it all the way through; we’ll finish it off later.
Once browned, remove the beef from the wok and set it aside on a plate. Oh, and don’t forget to scrape the yummy bits off the bottom of the pan, those are flavor bombs waiting to happen!
Step 2: Stir-Fry the Veggies
Now, in the same hot wok, toss in the garlic and red bell pepper. Stir-fry for about 20 seconds until fragrant. Seriously, your kitchen is going to smell incredible!
Add the onion and keep stir-frying for another 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently until they turn translucent and slightly caramelized. That’s the sweet spot you’re aiming for!
Step 3: Combine and Season
Toss the beef back into the wok, and while you’re at it, add the soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, and sugar.
Stir-fry everything together for another 30 seconds to 1 minute, just to heat everything back up and let those flavors meld together. It’s like a delicious hug in your pan!
Step 4: Finish with Thai Basil
- Finally, fold in the Thai basil leaves. Stir just until they are wilted, this should only take about 30 seconds. And the best part? It’s time to take a moment and just enjoy that aroma wafting through your kitchen. Amazing, right?
Step 5: Serve and Garnish
Serve with fragrant jasmine rice or your favorite grain, and don’t forget to garnish with fresh cilantro.
Voilà! Thai Basil Beef is ready. Prepare for your family to come running at dinnertime!
If you loved this Thai Basil Beef, be sure to check out my Bang Bang Salmon! I can’t wait for you to dive in.
Serving Suggestions
This Thai Basil Beef is wonderful served over jasmine rice or with rice noodles. You can also pair it with a light salad or spring rolls for a more complete meal. And guess what? It keeps really well for leftovers!
Storing Leftovers
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheating: When reheating, I recommend using a skillet over medium heat. Just a splash of water or a drizzle of oil helps keep it nice and moist!
Freezer Friendly? Yes! This dish can be frozen for up to 3 months. Just make sure it’s fully cooled before packing it up and use freezer-safe containers.
Pro Tip: The moisture of the beef and fresh vegetables can sometimes change texture, so keep that in mind when you reheat it. It’ll still be super delicious!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This dish comes together in under 30 minutes! Perfect for those busy weeknights when you need dinner on the table fast.
One-Pan Wonder
It’s a one-pan recipe, meaning you can enjoy dinner without worrying about a huge pile of dishes afterward. Because let’s be real, nobody wants to clean up after a long day!
Budget-Friendly
Using affordable, everyday ingredients makes this dish a crowd-pleaser that’s easy on the wallet.
Comfort Food
Like I said, it’s loaded with tons of flavor and is sure to satisfy your cravings.
Customizable
You can swap in any veggies or proteins that you have on hand or like better. Tofu, chicken, or even shrimp work wonderfully here, it’s totally up to you!
So there you go, my friends! This Thai Basil Beef (Stir-Fried Basil Beef) is seriously a weeknight savior! Once you give it a try, I’m sure it will become one of your family favorites too. If you have any questions or tips to share about your version, let me know in the comments! Happy cooking! And for more recipes, follow us on Pinterest.
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Quick and Easy Thai Basil Beef
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
A flavorful Thai Basil Beef dish that comes together in about 30 minutes. Perfect for a quick and easy family dinner!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 12 oz. beef (flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced)
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 of a red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1 cup Thai basil leaves
- Cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat your wok over high heat and add 2 tablespoons of oil. Sear the beef for 2-3 minutes until browned, then remove and set aside.
- In the same wok, stir-fry garlic and red bell pepper for about 20 seconds. Then add onion and stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes until translucent.
- Return the beef to the wok and add soy sauces, oyster sauce, fish sauce, and sugar. Stir-fry for another 30 seconds to 1 minute until heated through.
- Fold in the Thai basil leaves and stir until wilted (about 30 seconds).
- Serve with jasmine rice and garnish with fresh cilantro.
Notes
Feel free to substitute proteins or vegetables based on what’s available. This recipe is customizable.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-Frying
- Cuisine: Thai
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 60mg