This Easy Thai Basil Pork (also called pad kra pao, or holy basil stir fry) really lives up to its name! Packed with incredible Thai flavors, but so simple to make, this amazing dish will be on your table in (way) less than 30 minutes!
1cupfresh basil leaves, roughly choppedThai basil is ideal but regular "Italian" basil leaves are fine, too!
For the sauce
4tbspsoy saucelow sodium works best
3tspfish sauceSee Note 2
4tbspbrown sugar
1/2tspsesame oil
1tsphoisin sauceSee Note 3
4tbsp warm waterSee Note 4
For serving
riceany kind!
peanuts, chopped(optional)
Thai red chili peppers(optional)
lime(optional)
Instructions
Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together sauce ingredients: soy sauce, fish sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, hoisin sauce, and warm water. Set aside.
Cook Pork: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown pork for 2-3 minutes, breaking it up with a wooden spoon so it's nice and crumbly. Pro tip: A potato masher also works GREAT for breaking up the meat!
Add: Add garlic and cook one minute more. Then, add sauce and cook 1-2 minutes more, stirring as it cooks. You want the pork to be completely coated with the sauce.
Finish: Stir in basil and cook one 1 minute more until the basil is wilted.
Serve: Serve immediately over steamed jasmine rice. Garnish with a squeeze of lime juice, peanuts, and Thai chilis, if you like!
Notes
Note 1: Make sure you buy plain ground pork and not ground pork SAUSAGE (big difference!). Look for lean (90% lean or more) pork, if you can! Also, any ground meat can be substituted: ground chicken, turkey, or even beef.Note 2: Ok, hear me out! You may HATE fish sauce and gag at the thought but you have to know the SECRET! The secret of fish sauce is using sugar and/or acid (like lime juice) to offset the "fishy" taste. If you do this, you will be left with the deep rich, salty "thai" flavor of the fish sauce without the yuckiness. TRY IT! I promise you won't be sorry--it's a must in Thai dishes!Note 3: Hoisin is a thick, slightly sweet, slightly salty asian sauce. You can find hoisin sauce in most major grocery stores (and even Target!) in the Asian aisle. Note 4: Warm water is just used to thin the sauce a bit and help the brown sugar dissolve.