Thai Basil Beef Stir Fry

Ingredients

For the Sauce

• 2.5 tablespoons Thai black soy sauce
• 2.5 tablespoons sriracha
• 2.5 tablespoons fish sauce

For the Stir-Fry

• 1.5 lbs ground beef
• 3 shallots, thinly sliced
• 1 large bunch Thai basil, roughly chopped
• 2 tablespoons neutral oil
• 1/4 teaspoon table salt

For Serving

• Cooked jasmine rice
• Fried eggs (optional)

First, Prep the Ingredients

This dish comes together in minutes, so prep is essential. Thinly slice the shallots and roughly chop the Thai basil.

In a small bowl, whisk together the Thai black soy sauce, sriracha, and fish sauce.

Next, Cook the Beef

Heat the neutral oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until it is just about to smoke.

Add the ground beef and sprinkle with the salt. Let it sear, undisturbed, for ~1-2 minutes to develop a deep brown crust on one side.

Once a crust has formed, use a spatula or a potato masher to break the ground beef up into a fine, pebbly texture. Continue to stir-fry until the beef is nicely browned and cooked through.

Add the sliced shallots and stir-fry for another minute until they soften and become fragrant.

Finally, Sauce and Serve

Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and shallots. Continue to stir-fry over high heat until the sauce reduces slightly and glazes the meat.

Turn off the heat completely and add the chopped Thai basil. The residual heat from the wok will wilt the basil perfectly without destroying its fresh, aromatic flavor.

Serve immediately over hot jasmine rice, topped with a fried egg if you like.

Thai Basil Beef Stir Fry

prep time:10 minutes mins

cook time:8 minutes mins

total time:18 minutes mins

This is one of those dishes that takes longer to prep than to cook – once you start, it's maybe 3 minutes total. The trick is letting the ground beef get a hard sear before breaking it up, which gives you those crispy bits that make it taste like proper street food.

Print Pin Recipe

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

For the Sauce

• ▢ 2.5 tablespoons Thai black soy sauce
• ▢ 2.5 tablespoons sriracha
• ▢ 2.5 tablespoons fish sauce

For the Stir-Fry

• ▢ 1.5 lbs ground beef
• ▢ 3 shallots thinly sliced
• ▢ 1 large bunch Thai basil roughly chopped
• ▢ 2 tablespoons neutral oil
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon table salt

For Serving

• ▢ Cooked jasmine rice
• ▢ Fried eggs optional

Instructions

• Whisk together Thai black soy sauce, sriracha, and fish sauce in a small bowl.
• Heat neutral oil in large wok over high heat until nearly smoking.
• Add ground beef and salt, sear undisturbed 1-2 minutes until crusty.
• Break beef into small pieces, stir-fry until well browned.
• Add shallots, stir-fry 1 minute until softened.
• Pour sauce over beef mixture, cook until slightly reduced and glazed.
• Turn off heat, stir in Thai basil until just wilted.
• Serve over jasmine rice.

Notes

Prep all ingredients before cooking as dish moves quickly. Optional: top with fried egg.