Thai Beef Basil Stir Fry Recipe

Name: Thai Beef Basil Stir Fry
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Dinner
Ingredients: 560g flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain; 40g fresh Thai holy basil or sweet Italian basil leaves; 150g red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 2 small Thai bird's eye red chilies, finely sliced; 30ml low-sodium soy sauce & 1 tbsp oyster sauce; 15ml fish sauce & 1 tsp coconut sugar; 30ml high-heat peanut oil or avocado oil

Jump to Recipe Step-by-Step

Every reliable kitchen repertoire needs a dependable crowd-pleaser like this Thai Beef Basil Stir Fry. Built around flank steak or sirloin, thinly against the grain, thai holy basil or sweet italian basil leaves and red bell pepper, into thin strips, this dish comes together smoothly in 20 min, delivering deep comfort, savory depth, and effortless weeknight satisfaction.

Ingredients

4 servings

1.25 lbs flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
1 cup fresh Thai holy basil or sweet Italian basil leaves
1 large red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 small Thai bird's eye red chilies, finely sliced
2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce & 1 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tbsp fish sauce & 1 tsp coconut sugar
2 tbsp high-heat peanut oil or avocado oil

Step-by-Step Instructions

Thinly slice 1.25 lbs flank steak across the grain into bite-sized strips. Toss steak in 1 tablespoon soy sauce.

Heat 1 tablespoon peanut oil in a wok or heavy cast-iron skillet over high heat until smoking. Add sliced beef in a single layer and sear undisturbed for 2 minutes until caramelized. Transfer beef to a plate.

Add remaining oil, minced garlic, sliced chilies, and red bell peppers to the wok. Stir-fry vigorously for 2 minutes until bell peppers are tender-crisp.

Return seared beef to wok. **Pour in oyster sauce, fish sauce, remaining soy sauce, and coconut sugar**. **Remove from heat and fold in fresh Thai basil leaves** until wilted. Serve hot over Jasmine rice!

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Chef Amara’s Kitchen Secrets & Pro Tips

Chef's Secret for Super Tender Beef: Always slice flank steak across the muscle grain! Slicing against the fibers cuts tough muscle strands into short, tender bites.
Partial Freeze Shortcut: Freeze raw steak for 20 minutes before slicing to make cutting paper-thin strips effortlessly easy.
Spice Control: Remove seeds from Thai chilies to lower heat level, or leave seeds in for authentic spicy Bangkok heat!

1. Let the Meat Rest Before Slicing: Transfer cooked meat to a cutting board for 5–10 minutes before carving. Resting allows tight muscle fibers to relax and redistribute savory juices evenly throughout the cut. 2. Protect Minced Garlic from Burning: Garlic cooks and turns fragrant in just 30 to 45 seconds. Add it toward the end of sautéing onions or aromatics so it perfumes the dish without acquiring a bitter edge. 3. Chef's Kitchen Secret: Chef's Secret for Super Tender Beef: Always slice flank steak across the muscle grain! Slicing against the fibers cuts tough muscle strands into short, tender bites.

Chef’s Cooking Guide & FAQs

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Troubleshooting & Quick Fixes

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What if the Sauce for Thai Beef Basil Stir Fry Separates or Feels Greasy?: If a dairy or emulsion sauce breaks, immediately take the pan off direct heat. Vigorously whisk in a tablespoon of hot water, broth, or cream until the velvety sheen re-emulsifies.
How to Rescue a Dish That Tastes Overly Salty?: Dilute with additional unsalted liquid (broth, cream, or water), or splash in a small touch of acid like fresh lemon juice or vinegar to soften sharp salinity.

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Storage, Freezing & Reheating Guidelines

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Store leftovers in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in a preheated 350°F oven or covered skillet over medium-low heat until steaming hot throughout.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Q: Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time? A: Yes, this dish can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance, kept covered in the refrigerator, and baked or cooked when ready to serve.

Q: Can I substitute common pantry ingredients? A: Yes, this recipe is forgiving. Check our substitution notes in the ingredient card for dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan alternatives.

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Kitchen Notes & Discussion

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Nutrition Facts

Per serving (1 of 4)

380 Calories

12g Carbs 4% DV

36g Protein 72% DV

20g Fat 26% DV

2g Fiber 7% DV

720mg Sodium 31% DV

Carbs 13% Protein 38% Fat 49%

*Percent Daily Values (% DV) are based on a 2,000-calorie reference diet (USDA FoodData Central).

Quick Info

Cuisine Dinner
Dietary High Protein & Dairy-Free
Total Time 20 min
Yield 4 servings

Chef Amara

Passionate home cook & certified chef behind YumAroma. Every recipe is tested 3+ times for perfection.

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Thai Beef Basil Stir Fry

Ingredients

Step-by-Step Instructions

Slice Flank Steak Against the Grain

Sear Beef in Roaring Hot Wok

Stir-Fry Garlic, Chilies & Peppers