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- 1 pound beef flank steak - 2-3 Thai bird's eye chilies - 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves For this dish, I love using beef flank steak. It has a great texture and flavor. Thinly slice it against the grain for the best results. The Thai bird's eye chilies bring a nice kick. You can adjust the amount based on your spice level. Fresh Thai basil leaves are a must. They add an aromatic sweetness that makes the dish pop. - 1 tablespoon soy sauce - 1 tablespoon oyster sauce - 1 tablespoon fish sauce - 1 tablespoon brown sugar For the sauce, mix soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, and brown sugar. This blend creates a balance of salty, sweet, and umami flavors. Make sure to whisk it together until the brown sugar dissolves. - 1 red bell pepper - 1 cup jasmine rice for serving You can add red bell pepper for a splash of color and crunch. It pairs well with the beef. Serving this dish over jasmine rice makes it hearty and satisfying. The rice also helps balance the spicy flavors. {{ingredient_image_2}} - Rinse the jasmine rice under cold water until it runs clear. - In a medium pot, add the rinsed rice and 2 cups of water. - Bring the pot to a boil over high heat. - Once boiling, lower the heat and cover the pot. - Let it simmer for about 15 minutes until the water is absorbed. - Remove from heat and keep covered for 5 more minutes. - Fluff the rice with a fork before serving. - In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, and brown sugar. - Whisk until the sugar dissolves completely. - Set this sauce aside for later. - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. - Add minced garlic and sliced chilies. Sauté for 30 seconds. - Next, add the thinly sliced beef. Stir-fry for 3-5 minutes until browned. - Then, add the red bell pepper. Stir-fry for another 2 minutes. - Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and peppers in the skillet. - Stir well to coat everything evenly. - Cook for another minute to let the sauce thicken. - Remove the skillet from heat and fold in fresh Thai basil leaves. - Allow the basil to wilt in the warm dish. - Serve the Spicy Thai Basil Beef over the jasmine rice for a tasty meal. To achieve the perfect beef texture, slice the flank steak thinly. Always cut against the grain. This way, the meat stays tender as you cook it. To control spice levels, use fewer Thai bird's eye chilies. If you want it milder, remove the seeds. For more heat, add an extra chili or two. If you can’t find Thai basil, use regular basil. The taste is slightly different but still nice. You can also try mint for a refreshing twist. For other vegetable options, consider adding snow peas or green beans. These veggies add color and crunch to your dish. Serve spicy Thai basil beef with jasmine rice. This rice soaks up the sauce well and balances the spice. For presentation, use a large white plate. Place the beef on top of the rice and sprinkle with extra basil. This makes your dish look vibrant and inviting. Pro Tips Choose the Right Cut: Flank steak is great for stir-frying due to its flavor and tenderness when sliced thinly. Ensure you cut against the grain for the best texture. Control the Heat: Adjust the number of Thai bird's eye chilies based on your heat preference. Start with fewer and add more if you like it spicier. Keep it Fresh: For the best flavor, add the Thai basil at the end of cooking. This keeps its vibrant flavor and beautiful color intact. Perfect Rice Every Time: Rinse the jasmine rice well to remove excess starch, which prevents it from becoming gummy and helps achieve fluffy grains. {{image_4}} To make this dish gluten-free, swap regular soy sauce for gluten-free soy sauce. You can also use tamari for a rich flavor. For a vegetarian version, replace the beef with tofu or mushrooms. Both options soak up the flavors well. You can boost the flavor by adding more spices. Try crushed red pepper for extra heat or a pinch of cumin for warmth. If you want to mix proteins, shrimp or chicken work great. They cook quickly and match the sauce nicely. Mix up your rice choice! You can use brown rice for a nutty taste or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option. For a fun twist, serve it in lettuce cups. This adds crunch and makes it easy to eat. To keep your spicy Thai basil beef fresh, store it in an airtight container. Make sure it cools down before sealing. Place it in the fridge within two hours of cooking. This dish stays tasty for about three days. If you want to keep it longer, consider freezing it. It will last up to three months in the freezer. Just remember to thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating. For reheating, the best method is using a skillet. Heat it on low and add a splash of water or broth. This keeps the beef juicy and prevents it from drying out. Stir it gently until heated through. You can also use the microwave, but do it in short bursts. Check every 30 seconds to avoid overheating. This way, you maintain the great flavor and texture of the dish. To adjust the spice level, you can change the amount of bird's eye chilies. For less heat, use fewer chilies or remove the seeds. If you like more spice, add more chilies. You can also try using chili flakes or hot sauce. Yes, you can make this dish in advance. Cook the beef and store it in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat it in a pan to keep the flavors fresh. You can also prepare the rice ahead of time. Just store it in an airtight container. Spicy Thai Basil Beef, known as "Pad Krapow Beef," comes from Thailand. It is a popular street food dish. The dish reflects Thai culture with its bold flavors and fresh ingredients. Thai basil adds a unique taste, making it special. This dish pairs well with jasmine rice, which soaks up the sauce. You can also serve it with steamed vegetables, like broccoli or green beans. For a refreshing side, a simple cucumber salad works great too. In this post, we explored Spicy Thai Basil Beef. We covered key ingredients like beef flank steak, Thai chilies, and fresh basil. You learned how to prepare the sauce and cook the dish step-by-step. We also shared tips for cooking, ingredient swaps, and serving ideas. Spicy Thai Basil Beef is versatile and can fit many diets. Remember, adjust spice levels to suit your taste. Enjoy this dish with jasmine rice or vegetables. The freshness of basil makes it perfect. Happy cooking!

Sizzling Spicy Thai Basil Beef

A flavorful and spicy stir-fry dish featuring tender beef, aromatic garlic, and fresh Thai basil served over jasmine rice.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Thai
Servings 4
Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound beef flank steak, sliced thinly against the grain
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 2 to 3 Thai bird's eye chilies, thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
  • 1 cup jasmine rice

Instructions
 

  • Begin by rinsing the jasmine rice under cold running water until the water appears clear. In a medium-sized pot, combine the rice with 2 cups of water and bring it to a vigorous boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for approximately 15 minutes, or until the water has been fully absorbed. Afterward, remove from heat and keep covered for an additional 5 minutes. Use a fork to fluff the rice just before serving.
  • In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, and brown sugar until the sugar is dissolved. Set this flavorful mixture aside for later use.
  • Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the minced garlic and sliced bird's eye chilies, sautéing them for about 30 seconds to unleash their fragrant aroma.
  • Add the thinly sliced beef to the hot skillet. Stir-fry the beef for 3-5 minutes, ensuring it's cooked through and begins to brown slightly.
  • Next, add the sliced red bell pepper to the skillet. Continue stir-frying for an additional 2 minutes, letting the peppers soften slightly while maintaining some crunch.
  • Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and bell peppers within the skillet. Stir well to coat all ingredients evenly, cooking for another minute to allow the sauce to thicken slightly and infuse flavors.
  • Remove the skillet from heat, then gently fold in the fresh Thai basil leaves, allowing them to wilt with the residual heat and meld their flavor into the dish.
  • Serve the sizzling spicy Thai basil beef hot atop a generous bed of jasmine rice for a delightful meal.

Notes

Adjust the number of chilies based on your spice preference. Regular basil can be used if Thai basil is unavailable.
Keyword beef, spicy, stir-fry, Thai basil