Thai Basil Beef (Pad Krapow)

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Thai Basil Beef, or Pad Krapow, is a bold, spicy, and savory stir-fry made with ground beef, fresh Thai basil, garlic, and Thai chilies, tossed in a flavorful umami sauce. Served over steamed jasmine rice with a crispy fried egg, this dish is a quick and satisfying Thai street food favorite.

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Yields4 Servings
Prep Time15 minsCook Time20 minsTotal Time35 mins
For the Beef Stir-Fry
 ½ kg ground beef (or substitute with ground pork or chicken)
 1 tbsp vegetable oil
 5 cloves garlic (minced)
 2 Thai chilies (finely chopped, adjust for spice)
 1 small onion (thinly sliced)
 1 bell pepper (sliced, optional)
 1 cup Thai basil leaves (fresh, do not substitute with regular basil)
 1 tsp sugar
For the Sauce
 2 tbsp soy sauce
 1 tbsp oyster sauce
 1 tsp fish sauce (adds authentic umami depth)
 1 tsp dark soy sauce (for color, optional)
 1 tsp rice vinegar (or lime juice)
 ½ tsp white pepper (or black pepper)
For Serving
 Steamed jasmine rice
 4 fried eggs (crispy edges, runny yolk recommended)
 Lime wedges (optional)
Prepare the Sauce
1

Mix the Sauce Ingredients:

  • In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, dark soy sauce, rice vinegar, and white pepper.
  • Set aside for later.
Stir-Fry the Beef
2
  • Heat Oil in a Pan:
    • Over medium-high heat, add vegetable oil to a wok or skillet.
  • Cook the Garlic and Chilies:
    • Add minced garlic and Thai chilies, stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  • Add the Ground Beef:
    • Break the beef apart and cook for 4-5 minutes until browned.
  • Toss in the Onion and Bell Pepper:
    • Stir in onions and bell peppers (if using), and cook for another 2 minutes.
Add the Sauce and Basil
3
  • Pour the Sauce Over the Beef:
    • Stir well and let it cook for 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
  • Add Thai Basil at the End:
    • Turn off the heat and gently fold in the Thai basil leaves.
    • Let them wilt slightly from the residual heat.
Serve with Rice and Fried Egg
4
  • Prepare Jasmine Rice:
    • Serve a scoop of steamed jasmine rice in a bowl or plate.
  • Top with the Thai Basil Beef Stir-Fry.
  • Fry the Eggs:
    • In a separate pan, fry eggs with a little oil until the edges are crispy but the yolk remains runny.
  • Garnish and Serve:
    • Place the fried egg on top of the beef and rice.
    • Add lime wedges on the side for extra freshness.
Pro Tips
5
  • For Extra Crispy Fried Egg: Use high heat and a generous amount of oil for crispy edges.
  • Adjust Spice Level: Use mild chilies or omit them for a less spicy version.
  • Make It Healthier: Use lean ground chicken or turkey instead of beef.

 

Ingredients

For the Beef Stir-Fry
 ½ kg ground beef (or substitute with ground pork or chicken)
 1 tbsp vegetable oil
 5 cloves garlic (minced)
 2 Thai chilies (finely chopped, adjust for spice)
 1 small onion (thinly sliced)
 1 bell pepper (sliced, optional)
 1 cup Thai basil leaves (fresh, do not substitute with regular basil)
 1 tsp sugar
For the Sauce
 2 tbsp soy sauce
 1 tbsp oyster sauce
 1 tsp fish sauce (adds authentic umami depth)
 1 tsp dark soy sauce (for color, optional)
 1 tsp rice vinegar (or lime juice)
 ½ tsp white pepper (or black pepper)
For Serving
 Steamed jasmine rice
 4 fried eggs (crispy edges, runny yolk recommended)
 Lime wedges (optional)

Directions

Prepare the Sauce
1

Mix the Sauce Ingredients:

  • In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, dark soy sauce, rice vinegar, and white pepper.
  • Set aside for later.
Stir-Fry the Beef
2
  • Heat Oil in a Pan:
    • Over medium-high heat, add vegetable oil to a wok or skillet.
  • Cook the Garlic and Chilies:
    • Add minced garlic and Thai chilies, stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  • Add the Ground Beef:
    • Break the beef apart and cook for 4-5 minutes until browned.
  • Toss in the Onion and Bell Pepper:
    • Stir in onions and bell peppers (if using), and cook for another 2 minutes.
Add the Sauce and Basil
3
  • Pour the Sauce Over the Beef:
    • Stir well and let it cook for 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
  • Add Thai Basil at the End:
    • Turn off the heat and gently fold in the Thai basil leaves.
    • Let them wilt slightly from the residual heat.
Serve with Rice and Fried Egg
4
  • Prepare Jasmine Rice:
    • Serve a scoop of steamed jasmine rice in a bowl or plate.
  • Top with the Thai Basil Beef Stir-Fry.
  • Fry the Eggs:
    • In a separate pan, fry eggs with a little oil until the edges are crispy but the yolk remains runny.
  • Garnish and Serve:
    • Place the fried egg on top of the beef and rice.
    • Add lime wedges on the side for extra freshness.
Pro Tips
5
  • For Extra Crispy Fried Egg: Use high heat and a generous amount of oil for crispy edges.
  • Adjust Spice Level: Use mild chilies or omit them for a less spicy version.
  • Make It Healthier: Use lean ground chicken or turkey instead of beef.

Notes

Thai Basil Beef (Pad Krapow)
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