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15-minute Thai Basil Pork Stir-fry (Pad Kra Pao Pork)

Thai basil pork is a classic Thai street food recipe made with minced pork, basil and chili. So simple and delicious, especially with an egg on top. This is a restaurant quality meal - and it can be ready and on the table in only 15 minutes!

Prep Time
7 mins
Cook Time
7 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings: 2
Calories: 434 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Thai

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon kecap manis sweet thick Indonesian soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • 4 tablespoons water
  • 5.5 ounces fresh green beans chopped into small lengths (1 to 2 inches)
  • 3 small red chillis de-seeded and chopped finely (Use up to 6 chilis depending on desired spice level!)
  • 4 garlic cloves crushed or chopped finely
  • 7 ounces minced pork or chicken, turkey, beef!
  • ½ bunch fresh basil Holy basil is great, but if you can't find it use regular basil (or Thai Basil if you like).
to serve
  • Plain rice (I like jasmine rice, or coconut) Use a microwavable pouch to save time.
  • 2 fried eggs Optional but recommended!

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Mix together the fish sauce, soy sauce, kecap manis, oyster sauce and water in a bowl or jug and set aside.
  2. Heat up a large drizzle of oil in a wok or stir-fry pan. Then stir-fry the green beans for a few minutes on a medium high heat. Add the chopped chilis and garlic and stir-fry for a couple more minutes. At this point, also start frying the eggs (if using).
  3. Add the pork and break up with a wooden spoon. Stir-fry until cooked (an additional few minutes).
  4. Pour in the sauce, stir well, then let bubble for a minute or two more.
  5. Stir in the basil until wilted, then serve with the rice (and a fried egg, if desired).

Notes

  • Servings: This recipe serves 2, but it's easily doubled to serve 4-5.
  • Green beans: Use fresh (wash and cut into small lengths) or frozen (my favorite!). 
  • Meat: I prefer lean ground pork. Chicken or even beef works too. Even chopped chicken thigh or breast can work. 
  • Kecap manis (sweet soy sauce): If you don’t have/don’t want to hunt down kecap manis, simply use more soy sauce mixed with brown sugar, honey or maple syrup instead (in a ration of 1 part soy sauce to 2 parts sweetener). 
  • Chili: 3-4 small red chilis is about right for me (medium spicy). For anyone who likes their food to have a kick, serve more chopped chili on the side.
  • Basil: ‘Holy basil’ is what you should ideally use for a more authentic pad kra pao, but you may not be able to find it in the west (try an Asian supermarket). If not, use regular basil (Mediterranean basil) instead, which is surprisingly similar. Thai basil is OK too, although it has a different flavor. 
  • Note on nutrition info: The nutrition info doesn't include the rice.

Nutrition Information

Calories 434kcal (22%) Carbohydrates 24g (8%) Protein 27g (54%) Fat 26g (40%) Saturated Fat 9g (45%) Polyunsaturated Fat 3g Monounsaturated Fat 11g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 235mg (78%) Sodium 1748mg (73%) Potassium 807mg (23%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 13g (26%) Vitamin A 1532IU (31%) Vitamin C 109mg (121%) Calcium 101mg (10%) Iron 4mg (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 2Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 434

% Daily Value*

Calories 434kcal 22%
Carbohydrates 24g 8%
Protein 27g 54%
Fat 26g 40%
Saturated Fat 9g 45%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g 18%
Monounsaturated Fat 11g 55%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 235mg 78%
Sodium 1748mg 73%
Potassium 807mg 17%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 13g 26%
Vitamin A 1532IU 31%
Vitamin C 109mg 121%
Calcium 101mg 10%
Iron 4mg 22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.