15-minute Thai Basil Pork Stir-fry (Pad Kra Pao Pork)
Thai basil pork is a classic Thai street food recipe made with minced pork, basil and chili. So simple and delicious, especially with an egg on top. This is a restaurant quality meal - and it can be ready and on the table in only 15 minutes!
Mix together the fish sauce, soy sauce, kecap manis, oyster sauce and water in a bowl or jug and set aside.
1 tablespoon fish sauce, 1 tablespoon light soy sauce, 1 tablespoon kecap manis, 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, 4 tablespoons water
Heat up a large drizzle of oil in a wok or stir-fry pan. Then stir-fry the green beans for a few minutes on a medium high heat. Add the chopped chilis and garlic and stir-fry for a couple more minutes. At this point, also start frying the eggs (if using).
5.5 ounces fresh green beans, 3 small red chillis, 4 garlic cloves
Add the pork and break up with a wooden spoon. Stir-fry until cooked (an additional few minutes).
7 ounces minced pork
Pour in the sauce, stir well, then let bubble for a minute or two more.
Stir in the basil until wilted, then serve with the rice (and a fried egg, if desired).
½ bunch fresh basil, plain rice, 2 fried eggs
Notes
Servings: This recipe serves 2, but it's easily doubled to serve 4-5.Green beans: Use fresh (wash and cut into small lengths) or frozen (my favorite!). Meat: I prefer lean ground pork. Chicken or even beef works too. Even chopped chicken thigh or breast can work. Kecap manis (sweet soy sauce): If you don’t have/don’t want to hunt down kecap manis, simply use more soy sauce mixed with brown sugar, honey or maple syrup instead (in a ration of 1 part soy sauce to 2 parts sweetener). Chili: 3-4 small red chilis is about right for me (medium spicy). For anyone who likes their food to have a kick, serve more chopped chili on the side.Basil: ‘Holy basil’ is what you should ideally use for a more authentic pad kra pao, but you may not be able to find it in the west (try an Asian supermarket). If not, use regular basil (Mediterranean basil) instead, which is surprisingly similar. Thai basil is OK too, although it has a different flavor. Note on nutrition info: The nutrition info doesn't include the rice.