Easy 15-min. Pad Kra Pao (Thai Holy Basil Stir-Fry)
Ground meat, holy basil, red chilis, and aromatics stir-fried in a spicy, savory sauce served over rice with a fried egg! This easy pad kra pao recipe is ready in just 15 minutes using simple ingredients, making it a better-than-takeout main for busy weeknights!
- Prep time
- 5 min
- Cook time
- 10 min
- Yield
- 2 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 1 lb extra-lean ground chicken (or ground pork / ground beef )
- 1 cup Holy basil (or Thai basil / Sweet Basil - stems removed)
- 1 shallot (or 1/4 cup onion, finely diced)
- 2 large red chili (or bird's eye chili for more spice, de-seed & finely chopped)
- 5 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1/4 cup chicken stock (or beef stock, low-sodium)
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil (or any neutral oil)
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce (or vegetarian stir-fry sauce)
- 2 tsp fish sauce
- 2 tsp white granulated sugar (or cane sugar / palm sugar )
- 1 tsp regular soy sauce (or light soy sauce)
- 1 tsp dark soy sauce
- 2 fried eggs (or as needed (optional))
- cooked jasmine rice (or any white rice of choice)
Instructions
- 1
In a small bowl, combine the sauce ingredients as listed above until sugar has dissolved. Set aside.
- 2
Heat vegetable oil in a large pan on medium-high heat. Once hot, stir fry shallot, garlic, and chilis until they have softened, about 30 seconds.
- 3
Add ground meat and break it up into smaller pieces (not chunks). Cook until liquids in the pan have evaporated and the meat is slightly browned.
- 4
Add sauce and stir fry for 30 seconds. Then pour in stock and stir fry for another 30 seconds.
- 5
Add basil and stir fry until softened, about 15 seconds. Transfer the dish to a large serving plate.
- 6
Serve with steamed white rice and a fried egg on top. Enjoy!