Thai Basil Beef (Pad Gra Prow)

Make this fragrant Thai Basil Beef Stir-Fry in just 20 minutes! Juicy beef, spicy chilies, and fresh basil come together for a quick, weeknight-friendly meal that’s fast, flavorful, and full of authentic Thai flair—no takeout needed.

If you’ve ever wandered through a Thai street market, you’ve probably caught the irresistible aroma of sizzling garlic, chilies, and basil in the air—that’s Pad Kra Pao, or Thai basil beef. It’s one of Thailand’s most beloved everyday dishes, quick to cook yet packed with bold, savory flavor.

This version is my go-to when I’m craving something fast, hearty, and truly authentic. Tender slices of beef are stir-fried with garlic, chili, and fragrant Thai basil leaves for that signature spicy-herbal kick. I first fell in love with this dish while traveling in Thailand, watching vendors scoop it over steaming rice with a crispy fried egg on top—simple perfection.

You don’t need any fancy ingredients to recreate it at home. Even if you can’t find Thai basil, sweet basil works beautifully. And if you’re not into beef, try it with chicken, shrimp, or tofu—it’s just as delicious.

Once you make it, you’ll understand why this humble stir-fry is a staple in Thai kitchens. It’s quick, aromatic, and deeply satisfying—just like the best street food should be.

Key Ingredients for Thai Basil Beef

Thai basil

For an authentic Thai-style basil beef, use Thai basil for its distinct aroma and fragrance. Thai basil has purple stems and a licorice-anise flavor.

If you don’t have an Asian market nearby, you can substitute it with regular sweet basil and some cilantro. It won’t have the exact same aromatic flavor, but it will still be delicious.

I’ve posted several Asian recipes using Thai basil for its unique taste. If you have some on hand, try my Thai Red Curry Chicken.

Beef and vegetables

I used thinly sliced beef sirloin, but you can use any cut you prefer, or even ground beef. For the vegetables, long beans, also known as snake beans, are commonly used. If long beans are not available, try green beans or red bell pepper instead.

Other aromatics and sauce

The sauce typically includes Asian condiments like fish sauce, oyster sauce, and soy sauce. I add a hint of dark soy sauce for color, but it’s optional.

How to make Thai basil beef (Pad Gra Prow)

Crush the garlic and chili in a mortar and pestle until roughly chopped, or finely chop them with a knife. Mix the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.

Pounding the beef makes it tender and more enjoyable. While optional, it can be helpful. Use a meat mallet or another heavy object to tenderize the beef, then slice it into your desired sizes.

Stir-fry the chili and garlic mixture in hot oil for 30 seconds, then add the beef and stir-fry until browned. Transfer the beef to a plate and set it aside.

Now, quickly stir-fry the onion, then add the long beans and continue to stir-fry until they are tender and crisp. Return the beef to the pan, add the sauce mixture, and stir to coat everything evenly.

Lastly, add the Thai basil leaves and give everything a quick stir to heat through. Done! Easy, right?

Serve Pad Gra Prow over rice immediately and enjoy while it’s still hot. Additionally, you can also add a fried egg on top for extra flavor, but that’s optional. If you like beef stir-fry, try my cumin beef, Chinese style stir-fry with exotic cumin spice.

Helpful Tips for the Best Result

1. This versatile Thai basil beef stir-fry can be quite spicy due to the use of small Thai chilies (also known as bird’s eye chili peppers). Adjust the amount of chili to suit your heat tolerance, or use milder red chilies like red finger chilies with the seeds removed.
2. Thai basil beef is an aromatic, savory, and garlicky dish, which means it uses a lot of garlic! A mortar and pestle works great for smashing the garlic and chili together, but you can also chop them with a knife.
3. If you can’t find Asian long beans, try using French green beans instead.
4. To make the dish even heartier, add sweet red pepper. It will make your meal more colorful and wholesome.

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