Thai Basil Beef Pad Gra Prow Tastes Better From Scratch

Want more 30-Minute Meals? Try Salmon Bowls, Orzo Salad, or Kung Pao Shrimp! We absolutely love Thai food, wether we make homemade Thai food, or go to our favorite restaurants. My husband’s favorite dish is Pad Gra Prow, AKA Thai Basil Beef, and I love this quick and easy version that mimics the flavors we love, even if it’s not truly authentic! For authentic Pad Gra Prow, try this recipe from Hot Thai Kitchen! I love this recipe because it uses ground meat, so it’s inexpensive and soaks up more flavor, like I image Thai street food. It’s practical for a regular weeknight meal and you can have it on the table in less than 30 minutes!

Let’s Talk Basil:

There are a few different types of basil used in Thai cooking.

How to Make Thai Basil Beef

Cook Veggies: In a wok or large skillet over medium high heat add the oil, shallots, garlic, ginger and bell peppers. Sauté for 3 minutes. Push the veggies off to the side. Add Ground Beef: Turn the heat to high and add the ground beef, breaking it up into small bits. I like to spoon the cooked ground beef into my food processor and pulse it a few times to break it into really small pieces. Make Sauce: Stir together the brown sugar, fish sauce, soy sauce, oyster sauce, cornstarch beef broth and water. Add to the pan and cook for 2 minutes. Add Basil and stir-fry until wilted. Serve over hot cooked rice.

Recipe Variations:

Meat: Use ground chicken, ground pork, or extra firm tofu (and vegetable broth) to make it vegetarian. Flank steak would also taste delicious in this recipe. Slice it thinly, against the grain. Oyster Sauce: You could substitute more soy sauce. Vegetables: Use any color bell pepper and add more vegetables if you like. Try shredded carrot, thinly sliced zucchini, water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, or mushrooms. Chili Sauce: Substitute sriracha hot sauce in place of the Asian Garlic Chili Paste. Rice: Use any kind of rice you like, or skip the rice and serve it in a lettuce wrap!