If you've only ever had pad thai, you'll want to try this spicy, flavor-packed cousin: Thai basil pork, aka pad kra pao. It's a garlicky pork dish, flavored with bold Thai sauces and fresh peppery basil, then finished with a fried egg on top. It's like taking a trip to Thailand without leaving your kitchen! And even better? You can whip it up in about 20 minutes using pantry staples and fresh basil.
Why you'll love this recipe
This Thai basil pork recipe checks all the boxes: it's authentic, quick, and bursting with spicy, savory flavor.
Super speedy. The sauce takes moments to mix, the pork cooks fast, and you'll be eating in just about 20 minutes. That's busy-weeknight magic!
Bold, umami-packed flavor. Soy sauce, fish sauce, oyster sauce, and a touch of sugar all combine for rich satisfying Thai taste.
Authenticity on your plate. Served over rice with a runny fried egg, it's pure Thai street-food comfort.
Adjustable spiciness. Add more sriracha for heat lovers, leave it out for milder tastes.
Ingredients and what they bring to the dish
One of the best things about Thai basil pork stir-fry is how it transforms a handful of simple ingredients into a dish that tastes like it came straight from a street stall in Bangkok. Each one plays an important role. Here's what you'll need:
- Avocado oil - great for high-heat cooking
- Chicken or broth - Adds moisture and depth
- Soy, fish, and oyster sauces - Create a rich, umami base
- Sugar - Balances the savory sauces with subtle sweetness
- Garlic and shallot - Provide the garlicky Southeast Asian flavor
- Ground pork or thin pork chop slices - Tender or crisp, depending on preferred texture
- Sriracha - Adds a zip of chili flavor
- Thai basil - Delivers fresh, peppery flavor
- Fried egg - Runny yolk softens the spice and adds silky creaminess
The basil debate: holy basil vs. sweet basil
In Thailand, this is called pad kra pao, and holy basil is the star. Its peppery, almost minty flavor is unique and is hard to replicate.
That said, holy basil can be tough to find. You'll still get delicious results with peppery, slightly licorice-flavored Thai basil (which is what I used). In a pinch, you can use sweet Italian basil but the flavor profile will be different.
How to make Thai basil pork (quick stir-fry style)
Dinner in 20 minutes? Yes, please! This Thai pork with basil is all about quick cooking and tons of flavor.
- Whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce and sugar in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Saute garlic and minced shallot in oil until caramelized, about 2 minutes.
- Add ground pork to skillet and cook over high heat until browned and cooked through. This should take about 5 minutes.
- Pour the soy mixture over the pork and let it simmer for 1-2 minutes.
- Toss in basil and a few squirts of sriracha for heat.
- Stir to mix and cook until basil wilts, about 1 minute. Set aside.
In a clean skillet, heat a little oil and fry the eggs, over easy, one for each serving. To serve, add some rice to a bowl, place ¼ of the Thai Basil ground pork mixture over the top then top with one of the fried eggs. Repeat with remaining servings. Garnish with a little Thai basil and serve immediately.
Recipe tips for success
This recipe is easy, but a couple of pro tips will take your Thai basil ground pork from good to "wow, better than takeout!"
- Use medium-high heat to quickly sear the pork.
- For crispier pork, let the meat sauté undisturbed briefly before stirring.
- Cap sriracha to control only as much spice as your crowd can handle.
- Serve right away because basil wilts fast, and rice soaks up sauce immediately.
Recipe variations to make it your own
Want to play with the flavor? It's delicious as written, but also super easy to switch things up with different proteins, veggies, or spice levels.
- Mix proteins. Try chicken, beef, or even shrimp in its place.
- Add veggies. Green beans, bell peppers, or onions make it more balanced and colorful.
- Extra spicy. Add more sriracha and/or some finely chopped bird's-eye chilies.
- Extra saucy. Boost the sauce with a splash more broth and brown sugar until glossy.
- Go vegetarian. Swap in tofu and double the basil for plant-based appeal.
How to store and reheat leftovers
Store leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat and stir in a splash of broth to moisten and revive flavors.
More Thai Recipes
- Thai Basil Sauce
- Thai Coconut Chicken (Crockpot)
- Thai Cucumber Salad
- Thai Pork Salad (Nam Sod)
- Thai Red Curry with Beef
Find lots of easy recipes for Asian food right here on 2CM!
Easy Thai Basil Pork
Ingredients
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- 2 Tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 Tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 Tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 ½ teaspoons sugar
- 1 Tablespoon avocado or olive oil
- 2 ½ teaspoons minced garlic or 5 cloves, minced
- 1 shallot minced
- 1 pound ground pork or thinly sliced center cut pork chops
- Squeeze or two of sriracha depending on heat preference
- 1 cup Thai Basil leaves packed tightly
- 4 eggs
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine chicken broth, soy sauce, fish sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar. Stir.
- In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic and shallot and cook for 2 minutes.
- Add ground pork or thinly sliced pork chops and cook until done, about 5 minutes.
- Add the soy sauce mixture to the ground pork and cook another minute or two. Squeeze in a few drops of sriracha and stir.
- Add basil and cook until wilted, about 1 minutes. Take off heat and set aside.
- Fry eggs, over easy.
- Plate the Thai basil pork over white rice and top with a fried egg.
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