Thai Basil Beef (Pad Kra Pao)

Name: Thai Basil Beef (Pad Kra Pao)
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 2
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef (80/20); 2 tbsp neutral oil, plus more for the eggs; 6 cloves garlic, roughly chopped; 3–5 Thai chilies, sliced (or 1 serrano); 1 small shallot, sliced; 2 tbsp oyster sauce; 1 tbsp fish sauce; 1 tbsp soy sauce; 2 tsp sugar; 1/2 cup Thai basil leaves (holy basil if you can find it); 2 eggs; Steamed jasmine rice, for serving

Spicy, garlicky ground beef with Thai basil over jasmine rice, topped with a crispy fried egg. 20 minutes, one pan.

20 min Easy Serves 2

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This is the dish I make when I want big flavor and zero effort. Ground beef, a fistful of garlic and chilies, a quick sauce, and Thai basil wilted in at the very end. The crispy-edged fried egg on top isn't optional.

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef (80/20)
2 tbsp neutral oil, plus more for the eggs
6 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
3–5 Thai chilies, sliced (or 1 serrano)
1 small shallot, sliced
2 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp soy sauce
2 tsp sugar
1/2 cup Thai basil leaves (holy basil if you can find it)
2 eggs
Steamed jasmine rice, for serving

Gear I used

Tested in my own kitchen. Links may be affiliate links.

14-Inch Carbon Steel Wok 5.0

Method

1
Stir together the oyster sauce, fish sauce, soy sauce and sugar. Set aside.
2
Heat the oil in a wok over high heat. Add the garlic, chilies and shallot and stir-fry 30 seconds until fragrant.
3
Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook 4–5 minutes until browned and the liquid has cooked off.
4
Pour in the sauce and toss for 1 minute until the beef is glossy.
5
Kill the heat, add the basil, and toss until it just wilts.
6
In a separate small pan, fry the eggs in a generous glug of hot oil until the edges are crispy and lacy but the yolk is still runny.
7
Serve the beef over rice with a fried egg on top. Break the yolk and mix it all together.