Thai Beef with Basil

A flavorful Thai stir-fry combining crispy ground beef with aromatic basil, chilies, and garlic, served with a fresh carrot slaw and savory-sweet sauce. Perfect balance of spicy, sweet, and savory flavors.

4 servings
22 min

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 6 cloves garlic
  • 2 whole red chiles
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 to taste Kosher salt and pepper
  • ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 3 cups fresh basil leaves
  • 2 medium carrots
  • 2 whole scallions
  • 4 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 to serve steamed rice and lime wedges

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add garlic and 1 chile and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook, breaking up with a spoon and pressing down firmly to help brown, until cooked through and nicely crisped in spots, 8-10 minutes. Add broth and 2 cups basil and cook, stirring, until basil is wilted, about 2 minutes.

    12 min

  2. 2.

    Toss carrots, scallions, 1 tablespoon lime juice, and remaining chile, 1 cup basil leaves, and 1 tablespoon oil in a small bowl.

    5 min

  3. 3.

    Mix soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar, and remaining 3 tablespoons lime juice in another small bowl until sugar dissolves.

    2 min

  4. 4.

    Top rice with beef and slaw and drizzle with soy dressing. Serve lime wedges alongside for squeezing over.

    3 min