Easy Pad Kra Pao Recipe: Thai Basil Stir-Fry Magic at Home

Pad kra pao unleashes a fiery symphony of flavors that dance across your palate with electrifying intensity.

Thai street food enthusiasts celebrate this beloved dish for its bold and vibrant culinary profile.

Aromatic basil leaves intermingle with sizzling proteins, creating a mesmerizing sensory experience that transports you directly to bustling Bangkok markets.

Each bite promises an explosive combination of heat, umami, and herbal undertones that challenge traditional taste boundaries.

The recipe represents more than just a meal—it’s a cultural narrative told through carefully balanced ingredients and precise cooking techniques.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this classic comfort food, reinventing simple components into a remarkable gastronomic adventure.

Culinary passion and authentic techniques will guide you toward mastering this remarkable Thai classic.

Tips for Stir Frying the Best Pad Kra Pao

• Sear for Maximum Flavor: Press the ground beef firmly against the hot pan to create a crispy, caramelized exterior that locks in delicious flavors.
• Balance the Heat: Adjust the number of chilies to control the spice level, ensuring a perfect balance that suits your taste buds.
• Fresh Basil is Key: Use Thai basil if possible, as it provides an authentic, aromatic punch that elevates the entire dish.
• Quick Cooking Technique: Stir-fry ingredients rapidly to maintain their texture and prevent overcooking, keeping vegetables crisp and meat tender.
• Serve Immediately: Plate the Pad Kra Pao right after cooking to enjoy the basil's vibrant flavor and the meat's optimal juiciness.

How to Store and Reheat Pad Kra Pao Without Losing Flavor

• Refrigeration: Store cooled Pad Kra Pao in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, the dish stays fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freezing: Portion leftovers into freezer-safe containers, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 1 month. Avoid freezing rice separately.
• Reheating: Warm refrigerated Pad Kra Pao in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add a splash of water to maintain moisture. Microwave as a quick alternative, heating in 30-second intervals and stirring between each to ensure even heating. Discard if the meat looks or smells off.

What to Eat with Pad Kra Pao

• Boost Flavor with Thai Iced Tea: Complement the spicy Pad Kra Pao with a cool, sweet Thai iced tea. The creamy, refreshing drink balances the dish's heat and provides a smooth counterpoint to the bold flavors.
• Pair with Jasmine Rice Bed: Serve the saucy beef over fragrant jasmine rice to soak up all the delicious sauce. The mild, slightly floral rice perfectly supports the intense, spicy meat mixture.
• Garnish with Crisp Cucumber Salad: Add a light cucumber salad on the side to provide a cool, crunchy contrast. The fresh, clean taste helps cut through the rich, spicy beef and provides a refreshing palate cleanser.
• Match with Cold Singha Beer: A crisp Thai beer like Singha works wonderfully with this dish. Its light, hoppy profile helps cool down the spiciness while enhancing the overall meal experience.

Pad Kra Pao Variations You Can Try Today

• Chicken Kra Pao: Swap ground beef with ground chicken for a lighter protein option. Follow the same cooking technique and seasonings for a quick, flavorful meal.
• Tofu Vegetarian Pad: Replace meat with firm tofu cubes, pressing out excess moisture before stir-frying. Use vegetable broth in the sauce for added depth and umami flavor.
• Seafood Fusion Version: Use chopped shrimp or mixed seafood instead of beef. Reduce cooking time slightly to prevent overcooking delicate proteins. Add a splash of fish sauce for authentic Thai seasoning.
• Spicy Green Bean Edition: Mix in crisp green beans with your chosen protein for extra vegetable nutrition. Increase chili peppers if you prefer a more intense heat level. Maintain the classic basil and sauce components for authentic Thai street food experience.

Why Pad Kra Pao Packs Big Thai Flavor in Minutes

• Speedy Flavor Explosion: Packed with bold Thai-inspired tastes that burst in your mouth, this Pad Kra Pao delivers a quick, intense culinary experience in just 15 minutes.
• Master Skillet Magic: The searing technique creates perfectly caramelized beef with crispy edges, giving you restaurant-quality results right in your own kitchen with minimal cooking skills required.
• Customize Your Comfort: Easily adaptable dish that lets you control spice levels, protein choices, and garnishes, making it ideal for family dinners or quick solo meals with endless personalization options.
• One-Pan Wonder: Minimal cleanup, maximum flavor- this recipe uses a single skillet to create a complete meal that combines protein, vegetables, and vibrant seasonings in one delicious preparation.

Ingredients You Need for Pad Kra Pao

• Reduced Sodium Soy Sauce: Provides savory umami base with lower salt content for balanced flavor.
• Fish Sauce: Adds deep, complex saltiness typical in Thai cuisine, essential for authentic taste.
• Brown Sugar: Balances sauces with subtle sweetness and helps caramelize the meat.
• Oyster Sauce: Contributes rich, dark flavor and helps create glossy coating.
• Lime Juice: Brings bright, tangy freshness to cut through rich ingredients.

• Ground Coriander, Ground Ginger, White Pepper: Aromatic spices that add warmth and depth to the dish.
• Asian Chili Sauce: Provides consistent heat and complexity, adjustable to personal spice preference.
• Toasted Sesame Oil: Introduces nutty, roasted undertone with authentic Asian flavor profile.
• Cornstarch: Helps thicken sauce and create smooth, glossy texture.

• Vegetable Oil: Neutral cooking oil for high-heat stir-frying.
• Lean Ground Beef: Primary protein that absorbs marinade and provides hearty texture.
• Garlic, Jalapenos or Serrano Peppers, Sweet Onion, Bell Pepper: Fresh vegetables that add layers of flavor, heat, and crunch.
• Thai Basil Leaves: Distinctive herb that provides signature aroma and authentic Thai taste.

How to Make Spicy, Fragrant Pad Kra Pao

Step 1: Mix the Magical Sauce

Whisk together all sauce ingredients in a small bowl until sugar dissolves completely. Set aside for later use.

Step 2: Prepare the Beef

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and create a crispy golden layer by spreading it evenly across the pan. Cook for 45 seconds without moving, then flip and repeat. Break the beef into smaller pieces while continuing to cook.

Step 3: Add Aromatic Vegetables

Toss in chopped onions, bell peppers, minced garlic, and sliced Thai chilies. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until vegetables start to soften and release their incredible fragrance.

Step 4: Combine and Simmer

Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and vegetable mixture. Stir continuously and let everything dance together for 2-3 minutes, allowing flavors to meld perfectly.

Step 5: Finish with Basil Magic

Sprinkle fresh basil leaves over the mixture. Stir and cook for an additional minute until beef is fully cooked and basil is wonderfully wilted.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Plate your Pad Kra Pao over steamed jasmine rice. Garnish with extra basil leaves, sliced chilies, or a squeeze of lime if desired.

Pad Kra Pao Recipe

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4.8 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 22 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Spicy Thai basil chicken dances with bold, aromatic flavors from Bangkok street kitchens. Fragrant garlic, fiery chilies, and fresh basil create a quick, irresistible meal that transports diners straight to Thailand’s bustling culinary landscape.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound lean ground beef

Vegetables:

• 6 cloves garlic
• 1–2 jalapenos or serrano chili peppers
• ½ sweet onion
• 1 small bell pepper

Herbs and Sauce Ingredients:

• 1 cup Thai basil leaves
• 2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• ½ teaspoon ground coriander
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon white pepper
• 1 teaspoon Asian chili sauce
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

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Instructions

1. Craft the flavor base by whisking together sauce components in a compact vessel, allowing the mixture to rest and meld while preparing other elements.
2. Elevate a wok or expansive cast iron skillet over medium-high thermal intensity, allowing the cooking surface to reach optimal temperature.
3. Introduce ground beef into the searing hot environment, strategically positioning the protein to develop a robust caramelized exterior. Execute a precise turning technique to ensure uniform browning, then methodically fragment the meat into delicate morsels.
4. Evacuate any accumulated lipids from the protein, maintaining a pristine cooking surface for subsequent ingredients.
5. Incorporate aromatic companions – crisp onions, vibrant bell peppers, fiery chilies, and pungent garlic – creating a dynamic flavor landscape through rapid and continuous agitation.
6. Reintegrate the previously prepared sauce, allowing it to cascade over the developing culinary composition. Continue vigorous stirring to ensure comprehensive flavor distribution and precise ingredient integration.
7. Introduce verdant Thai basil leaves, gently folding them into the robust mixture until the beef achieves complete doneness and vegetable elements reach desired textural tenderness.
8. Transfer the fragrant creation atop steamed jasmine rice, presenting an optional garnish of additional chili condiment, fresh pepper slices, or a zesty lime wedge to elevate the sensory experience.

Notes

• Master this spicy Thai street food classic with simple techniques and bold flavors.
• Quick-cooking method ensures tender beef and vibrant vegetable textures.
• Combining fresh basil with savory sauce creates an explosion of authentic Thai taste.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 7 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Thai

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg