Thai Holy Basil Stir Fry with Beef (Pad Kra Pao)

Name: Thai Holy Basil Stir Fry with Beef (Pad Kra Pao)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients: 6 cloves garlic; 3 Thai chilies (or as many as you can handle); ¼ cup chopped mild red chilies ((see note 1)); ⅓ cup julienned mild red chilies; 2 tablespoon vegetable oil; 12 oz ground beef (regular or lean); 1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons fish sauce; 1 tablespoon granulated sugar; ½ cup unsalted beef or chicken stock or water; ½ teaspoon ground black pepper; 1 ¼ cups holy basil or regular basil leaves ((see note 2)); Cooked Jasmine rice for serving; 3 eggs (for fried eggs (1 per person)); Oil for frying eggs (as needed); 1-2 Thai chilies (chopped); 2 tablespoons fish sauce; 2 teaspoons lime juice; 1 clove garlic (thinly sliced or chopped (optional))

Instructions

Prep:15minCook:10min

Pad kra pao, also written as pad gaprao, is a popular Thai stir fry of ground meat and holy basil. This beef version is an old-style traditional recipe with a simpler ingredient list; perfect for a quick meal. For a more modern version that may be closer to what your local Thai restaurant serves, see this chicken pad kra pao recipe.

Updated at: Fri, 09 Jan 2026 00:02:53 GMT