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Simple Recipes for Every Day

Thai Basil Beef

thai basil beef over white rice in a large white bowl
  • Serves:  4
  • Prep Time:  10 min
  • Cook Time:  15 min

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon chili paste
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, (from 1 lime)
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 pound ground beef 90/10
  • 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1 medium sweet onion, thinly sliced
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves
  • Rice, for serving
  • Fresh cilantro, for serving (optional)

Method

  1. Make the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the chili paste, soy sauce, fish sauce, brown sugar, and lime juice until incorporated. Set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is glistening, add the ground beef and cook, breaking the meat up with a wooden spoon, until browned, 8 to 10 minutes.
  3. Add the bell pepper, onion, and garlic to the beef and cook until the vegetables start to soften, about 5 minutes.
  4. Pour the sauce into the skillet. Add the fresh basil (reserving a fresh few leaves for garnish) and continue to cook, stirring, until the basil starts to wilt, about 2 minutes.
  5. Serve the beef and basil over the rice, topped with the reserved basil leaves and cilantro, if using.