We can’t get over how much we love the sauce for Thai Basil Beef! It’s deeply savory and smoky-sweet, with a citrus tang and just the right amount of spice. Combined with aromatic basil and garlic flavors, this sauce isn’t just a coating for perfectly browned beef—it’s practically a tuxedo! Thai Basil Beef takes less than half an hour to make, but you’ll savor every minute it’s on your plate.
Ingredients
For the beef:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 sweet onion, thinly sliced
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup loosely-packed, fresh basil leaves
For the sauce:
- 1 tablespoon chili paste
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
For serving:
- cooked rice, optional
- fresh basil leaves, optional
- cilantro, optional
Directions
Step 1 –Over medium-high heat, heat the oil in a large pan or skillet.
Step 2 –Add the ground beef and stir, with your choice of a spoon, until broken apart and browned.
Step 3 –Add the bell pepper and sweet onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Step 4 –Add the garlic cloves, cooking until fragrant, about 1 to 2 minutes.
Step 5 –To prepare the sauce, using a separate bowl, mix the chili paste, soy sauce, fish sauce, brown sugar, and lime juice until fully incorporated.
Step 6 –Then add the sauce into the pan with the beef, pepper, and onion.
Step 7 –Add the cup of fresh basil and cook until the basil wilts, about 3 minutes.
Step 8 –Ladle the fully sauced beef onto your cooked rice, if desired.
Step 9 –Garnish with basil and cilantro to taste.
