Thai Basil Beef Stir Fry Savory and Quick Meal

by Elizabeth on October 16, 2025

If you crave a quick, tasty dinner, Thai Basil Beef Stir Fry is for you! This dish packs bold flavors and comes together in just 30 minutes. I’ll guide you through every step, from choosing the best fresh basil to perfecting the beef sear. Whether you’re a kitchen pro or a newbie, you’ll learn tips to customize it for your taste. Let’s dive into this savory meal that will impress everyone at the table!

$- 1 lb (450g) beef sirloin, thinly sliced - 2 cups fresh Thai basil leaves - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced - 1 cup green beans, trimmed and halved - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 2 tablespoons soy sauce - 1 tablespoon oyster sauce - 1 tablespoon fish sauce - 1 tablespoon brown sugar - 1 teaspoon chili flakes (adjust to taste) - Large skillet or wok - Cooking spoon - Cutting board - Knife - Small bowl for sauce mixing Gather these items before you start cooking. The fresh Thai basil gives the dish its unique flavor. The beef sirloin adds a nice texture. You can use other veggies, but I love red bell pepper and green beans. They make the dish colorful and tasty. Make sure to have all the sauces ready. They blend well and boost the flavor. A large skillet or wok is best for stir-frying. It helps cook everything evenly. Now that you have your ingredients, you're ready to make a delicious Thai basil beef stir fry! {{ingredient_image_1}} Start by slicing the beef sirloin thinly. This helps it cook fast and evenly. Aim for slices about a quarter-inch thick. Thin slices absorb flavors well. Set the beef aside on a plate while you prepare the rest. Heat your skillet or wok over high heat. Add vegetable oil and let it shimmer. Once hot, add minced garlic. Stir for about 30 seconds until it smells good. Don’t let it burn! Next, add the beef slices. Spread them out in a single layer. Let them sear for 2 minutes. Then stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes until the beef turns brown and is fully cooked. Now, it’s time for the veggies! Add sliced red bell pepper and green beans to the skillet. Stir-fry these for 2 to 3 minutes. You want them tender but still a bit crisp. In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, and brown sugar. Pour this sauce over the beef and veggies. Stir well to coat everything nicely. For a bit of heat, add chili flakes. Finally, toss in the fresh Thai basil leaves. Stir for another minute until everything is mixed well. Serve hot over jasmine rice. Enjoy your meal! To get a great sear, use high heat. Heat the vegetable oil until it shimmers. Spread the beef in a single layer. Let it sit without stirring for two minutes. This helps create a nice crust. After that, stir-fry for another two to three minutes. Your beef should be browned and juicy. You can control the heat in this dish easily. Start with one teaspoon of chili flakes. If you like it hot, add more while cooking. Taste the dish before serving. This way, you can adjust the spice to fit your taste. When choosing Thai basil, look for bright green leaves. They should be firm and not wilted. A strong, sweet smell is a good sign. Avoid any leaves that have brown spots. Fresh basil will make your dish pop with flavor. Pro Tips Tip Title: Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh Thai basil and crisp vegetables enhance the flavor and texture of your stir fry. Tip Title: Don't Overcrowd the Pan: To achieve a nice sear on the beef, cook in batches if necessary to avoid steaming. Tip Title: Adjust Spice Level: Feel free to modify the amount of chili flakes according to your heat preference. Tip Title: Serve Immediately: For the best taste and texture, serve the stir fry right after cooking while it's hot. {{image_2}} You can easily swap beef for other proteins. Chicken or shrimp work great. For a vegetarian option, try tofu. Make sure to press the tofu to remove extra water. This helps it absorb flavors better. Feel free to mix up the veggies. Broccoli, snap peas, or carrots add nice crunch. You can even use mushrooms for a savory twist. Use whatever you have on hand. This dish is flexible! To make this dish lighter, use less oil. You can replace brown sugar with a sugar substitute. Choose a low-sodium soy sauce for less salt. Adding more vegetables can boost fiber too. Enjoy a tasty meal without compromising health! After enjoying your Thai basil beef stir fry, let the leftovers cool. Place them in an airtight container. Store them in the fridge for up to three days. This keeps the flavors fresh and tasty. If you want to save them longer, consider freezing. When you're ready to eat the leftovers, reheat them in a skillet. Use low to medium heat for even warming. Stir the mixture to ensure it heats through. You can also use a microwave. Heat it in 30-second intervals, stirring between each. This helps avoid hot spots and keeps the beef juicy. To freeze your stir fry, place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. Remove as much air as you can. Proper storage prevents freezer burn. You can keep it frozen for up to three months. When you want to enjoy it, thaw it overnight in the fridge. Then, reheat it in a skillet or microwave as mentioned above. This makes for a quick and tasty meal later on. You can serve Thai Basil Beef Stir Fry with cooked jasmine rice. The rice absorbs the tasty sauce. You might also add a side of steamed broccoli or a fresh cucumber salad. These options balance the meal and add freshness. If you like, a light soup can also pair well. Yes, you can make this dish in advance. Cook the stir fry and cool it down. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It will stay good for about three days. When you are ready to eat, just reheat it on the stove. This dish tastes great even after a day. Yes, Thai Basil is different from regular basil. Thai Basil has a spicier and more fragrant flavor. Its leaves are darker and have a slight purple hue. Regular basil, like sweet basil, has a sweeter taste. Both can work in cooking, but Thai Basil is best for this dish. This blog post covered how to make Thai Basil Beef Stir Fry. We looked at the key ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and helpful tips. I shared ideas for variations and how to store your dish. Remember, stir-frying is quick and fun. With fresh ingredients and some practice, you can enjoy this meal whenever you want. Cooking at home brings joy and creativity. Try these methods, and flavor will follow. Enjoy your time in the kitchen!$

Why I Love This Recipe

Quick and Easy: This Thai Basil Beef Stir Fry comes together in just 20 minutes, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Flavorful Ingredients: The combination of soy sauce, oyster sauce, and fresh Thai basil creates an intense and delightful flavor profile.
Colorful Presentation: The vibrant red bell pepper and green beans add a beautiful color to the dish, making it visually appealing.
Healthy and Nutritious: This stir fry is packed with protein and vegetables, offering a balanced meal that’s both satisfying and nutritious.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients List

– 1 lb (450g) beef sirloin, thinly sliced

– 2 cups fresh Thai basil leaves

– 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced

– 1 cup green beans, trimmed and halved

– 4 cloves garlic, minced

Condiments and Seasonings

– 2 tablespoons soy sauce

– 1 tablespoon oyster sauce

– 1 tablespoon fish sauce

– 1 tablespoon brown sugar

– 1 teaspoon chili flakes (adjust to taste)

Equipment Needed

– Large skillet or wok

– Cooking spoon

– Cutting board

– Knife

– Small bowl for sauce mixing

Gather these items before you start cooking. The fresh Thai basil gives the dish its unique flavor. The beef sirloin adds a nice texture. You can use other veggies, but I love red bell pepper and green beans. They make the dish colorful and tasty.

Make sure to have all the sauces ready. They blend well and boost the flavor. A large skillet or wok is best for stir-frying. It helps cook everything evenly.

Now that you have your ingredients, you’re ready to make a delicious Thai basil beef stir fry!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Beef

Start by slicing the beef sirloin thinly. This helps it cook fast and evenly. Aim for slices about a quarter-inch thick. Thin slices absorb flavors well. Set the beef aside on a plate while you prepare the rest.

Stir-Frying the Garlic and Beef

Heat your skillet or wok over high heat. Add vegetable oil and let it shimmer. Once hot, add minced garlic. Stir for about 30 seconds until it smells good. Don’t let it burn! Next, add the beef slices. Spread them out in a single layer. Let them sear for 2 minutes. Then stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes until the beef turns brown and is fully cooked.

Adding Vegetables and Sauce

Now, it’s time for the veggies! Add sliced red bell pepper and green beans to the skillet. Stir-fry these for 2 to 3 minutes. You want them tender but still a bit crisp. In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, and brown sugar. Pour this sauce over the beef and veggies. Stir well to coat everything nicely. For a bit of heat, add chili flakes. Finally, toss in the fresh Thai basil leaves. Stir for another minute until everything is mixed well. Serve hot over jasmine rice. Enjoy your meal!

Tips & Tricks

Perfecting the Sear on the Beef

To get a great sear, use high heat. Heat the vegetable oil until it shimmers. Spread the beef in a single layer. Let it sit without stirring for two minutes. This helps create a nice crust. After that, stir-fry for another two to three minutes. Your beef should be browned and juicy.

Adjusting Spiciness Level

You can control the heat in this dish easily. Start with one teaspoon of chili flakes. If you like it hot, add more while cooking. Taste the dish before serving. This way, you can adjust the spice to fit your taste.

How to Select Fresh Basil

When choosing Thai basil, look for bright green leaves. They should be firm and not wilted. A strong, sweet smell is a good sign. Avoid any leaves that have brown spots. Fresh basil will make your dish pop with flavor.

Pro Tips

Tip Title: Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh Thai basil and crisp vegetables enhance the flavor and texture of your stir fry.
Tip Title: Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: To achieve a nice sear on the beef, cook in batches if necessary to avoid steaming.
Tip Title: Adjust Spice Level: Feel free to modify the amount of chili flakes according to your heat preference.
Tip Title: Serve Immediately: For the best taste and texture, serve the stir fry right after cooking while it’s hot.

Variations

Alternative Proteins

You can easily swap beef for other proteins. Chicken or shrimp work great. For a vegetarian option, try tofu. Make sure to press the tofu to remove extra water. This helps it absorb flavors better.

Vegetable Substitutions

Feel free to mix up the veggies. Broccoli, snap peas, or carrots add nice crunch. You can even use mushrooms for a savory twist. Use whatever you have on hand. This dish is flexible!

Dietary Adjustments for Healthier Options

To make this dish lighter, use less oil. You can replace brown sugar with a sugar substitute. Choose a low-sodium soy sauce for less salt. Adding more vegetables can boost fiber too. Enjoy a tasty meal without compromising health!

Storage Info

How to Store Leftovers

After enjoying your Thai basil beef stir fry, let the leftovers cool. Place them in an airtight container. Store them in the fridge for up to three days. This keeps the flavors fresh and tasty. If you want to save them longer, consider freezing.

Reheating Instructions

When you’re ready to eat the leftovers, reheat them in a skillet. Use low to medium heat for even warming. Stir the mixture to ensure it heats through. You can also use a microwave. Heat it in 30-second intervals, stirring between each. This helps avoid hot spots and keeps the beef juicy.

Freezing for Later Use

To freeze your stir fry, place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. Remove as much air as you can. Proper storage prevents freezer burn. You can keep it frozen for up to three months. When you want to enjoy it, thaw it overnight in the fridge. Then, reheat it in a skillet or microwave as mentioned above. This makes for a quick and tasty meal later on.

FAQs

What can I serve with Thai Basil Beef Stir Fry?

You can serve Thai Basil Beef Stir Fry with cooked jasmine rice. The rice absorbs the tasty sauce. You might also add a side of steamed broccoli or a fresh cucumber salad. These options balance the meal and add freshness. If you like, a light soup can also pair well.

Can I make this dish in advance?

Yes, you can make this dish in advance. Cook the stir fry and cool it down. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It will stay good for about three days. When you are ready to eat, just reheat it on the stove. This dish tastes great even after a day.

Is Thai Basil different from regular basil?

Yes, Thai Basil is different from regular basil. Thai Basil has a spicier and more fragrant flavor. Its leaves are darker and have a slight purple hue. Regular basil, like sweet basil, has a sweeter taste. Both can work in cooking, but Thai Basil is best for this dish.

This blog post covered how to make Thai Basil Beef Stir Fry. We looked at the key ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and helpful tips. I shared ideas for variations and how to store your dish.

Remember, stir-frying is quick and fun. With fresh ingredients and some practice, you can enjoy this meal whenever you want. Cooking at home brings joy and creativity. Try these methods, and flavor will follow. Enjoy your time in the kitche

Thai Basil Beef Stir Fry

A flavorful stir fry featuring tender beef, fresh Thai basil, and vibrant vegetables.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

Course Main Course

Cuisine Thai

Servings 4

Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients

1 lb beef sirloin, thinly sliced
2 cups fresh Thai basil leaves
1 unit red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 cup green beans, trimmed and halved
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
1 tablespoon fish sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon chili flakes (adjust to taste)
1 serving cooked jasmine rice, for serving

Instructions

Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat until shimmering.
Add the minced garlic to the oil and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Add the sliced beef to the skillet, spreading it out in a single layer. Let it sear for about 2 minutes without stirring, then stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes until browned and cooked through.
Once the beef is cooked, add the sliced red bell pepper and green beans to the skillet. Stir-fry for an additional 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are just tender but still crisp.
In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, and brown sugar. Pour this sauce over the beef and vegetables, stirring well to coat everything evenly.
Add the chili flakes for a kick and stir in the fresh Thai basil leaves, allowing them to wilt slightly in the heat. Stir everything for another minute until combined.
Remove from heat and serve hot over a bed of jasmine rice.

Notes

Serve the dish in a large bowl, garnished with extra basil leaves on top and a sprinkle of chili flakes for added color.

Keyword beef, quick meal, stir fry, Thai basil