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Finished bowl of Pad Kra Pao made with savory, spicy ground beef cooked in a soy and fish sauce glaze, served over steamed white rice with a crispy fried egg and fresh basil as a healthy Asian dinner.
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Pad Kra Pao (Thai Basil Stir Fry)

This high protein version of Pad Kra Pao still has those savory and spicy flavors but feels lighter and is just as fast to make. The only real difference is a lean ground beef, but the fragrant garlic, chilies, and basil still pack all those flavors and make it perfect over a bed of rice.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Comfort Food, Dinner, Meal Prep, Quick Meal
Cuisine: Asian, Fusion, Street Food, Thai
Keyword: Asian Ground Beef, Asian Ground Beef Recipe, Basil Ground Beef, Easy Pad Kra Pao Recipe, Ground Beef, Ground Beef Recipe, Healthy, Healthy Asian Dinner, Healthy Asian Dish, Healthy Asian Recipes, Healthy Beef Recipe, Healthy Beef Stir Fry, Healthy Recipe, Pad Kra Pao, Quick Thai Dinner, Thai, Thai Basil Beef, Thai Basil Stir Fry
Servings: 2 servings

Equipment

Ingredients

Beef Stir Fry

  • 16 oz ground beef see note 1
  • 1 onion thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 2 Thai chilies
  • 1 cup Thai basil can use regular basil

Pad Kra Pao Sauce

Optional Garnish

  • Fried egg
  • Rice for serving

Instructions

  • Thinly slice your onion. In a mortar and pestle, grind your chilies and garlic into a rough paste, or finely chop them if you prefer.
  • In a small bowl, combine dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, fish sauce, and sugar. Mix thoroughly and set aside.
  • Add oil to a pan over medium-high heat and add your garlic-chili mixture along with the onions. Cook until softened and fragrant.
  • Add in the ground beef, breaking it apart, and cook for about 4 minutes until browned.
  • Pour in your sauce and continue cooking until it slightly thickens and coats the beef.
  • Finish by tossing in your basil and cooking just until wilted.
  • Serve the Pad Kra Pao over a fresh bowl of rice and optionally top with a fried egg.

Video

Notes

(1) I like to use lean ground beef to make this dish higher in protein, but any ground meat works for Pad Kra Pao. Ground pork or chicken is often used as well!

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 395kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 26g