Thai basil beef (aka pad graw prow). The dish I order almost every time I set foot in a Thai restaurant, and one of my favorite things to cook at home. While we’ve posted a recipe for Thai Basil Chicken in the past, this beef version has a more intense flavor that comes from the darker, richer sauce used here.
As I sit here writing this post at 12:17 AM on my couch, I’m seriously thinking about getting up and making some thai basil beef right now. And if I gave into my weaker impulses and did end up going to the kitchen right now to start preparing it, I’d be back on the couch within fifteen minutes with a piping hot bowl. That’s how easy it is to make. It’s a fifteen minute recipe from start to finish and has been one of my go-to weeknight meals just for that reason.
If you’ve never tried Thai basil before, you can find it in some grocery stores nowadays, as well as Asian supermarkets. If you can’t find it, feel free to substitute regular Italian basil. You won’t get quite the same cinnamon-y flavor, but you’ll be in the same ballpark at least. On with the recipe!
(Note: I’ve been told by a couple commenters from Thailand that pad gra prow is actually made with a different kind of basil, called holy basil. If you can find it in your local Asian grocery store, by all means use it! But Thai Basil or, as I mentioned, regular Italian basil, can also work for this dish. At that point, it might not be a true pad gra prow, but it will still be good!)
Thai Basil Beef: Recipe Instructions
Heat your wok over high heat, and add the oil. Sear the beef until just browned, remove from the wok, and set aside. For more complete information on preparing beef, see Bill’s post on How to Slice and Velvet Beef for stir fries.
Add the garlic and red pepper to the wok and stir-fry for about 20 seconds. Add the onions and stir-fry until browned and slightly caramelized.
Toss the beef back in, along with the soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, and sugar. Stir-fry for another few seconds, and then fold in the Thai basil until it’s just wilted.
Serve your Thai Basil Beef Pad Gra Prow with jasmine rice, and garnish with cilantro!
Thai Basil Beef (Pad Gra Prow)
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 12 oz. beef (340g, sliced thinly against the grain and mixed with 1 teaspoon oil and 2 teaspoons cornstarch)
- 5 cloves garlic (chopped)
- ½ of a red bell pepper (sliced thinly)
- 1 small onion (thinly sliced)
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- 1 cup thai basil leaves (packed)
- cilantro (to garnish)
Instructions
- Heat your wok over high heat, and add the oil. Sear the beef until just browned, remove from the wok, and set aside.
- Add the garlic and red pepper to the wok and stir-fry for about 20 seconds. Add the onions and stir-fry until browned and slightly caramelized.
- Toss the beef back in, along with the soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, and sugar. Stir-fry for another few seconds, and then fold in the Thai basil until it’s just wilted. Serve with jasmine rice, and garnish with cilantro.
nutrition facts
I have never been a fan of flank steak, however this recipe was excellent. I followed the Chinese velveting technique and the steak was so tender. I’ve had this dish twice now. I can’t wait to try new recipes.
Thank you Christa! Hope you enjoy our other recipes as well!
I really loved the recipe. Thank you
You’re welcome Ashikin!
Made this last night. OMG fantastic recipe absolutely loved it will definitely be making again but will try adding chilli next time for a bit of spice.
Thank you so much Daniey!
It is an absolutely fantastic recipe and delightfully delicious. Simple and quick. I use beef mince and it works a treat. Thanks
YOu’re very welcome!
Not sure how a dish so simple can be so good – but it is. I first tried it four weeks ago, and I’ve made it five time since.
The only thing I change is to add a few thai bird chilis for a little heat.
Thanks!!!
You’re very welcome, Ray! So glad you’re enjoying this. :)
Is there gluten free oyster and fish sauce available? I have 2 daughters who have Celiac’s and must eat gluten free.
Hi Gale, Lee Kum Kee does make a gluten-free oyster sauce. Thai Kitchen makes a gluten-free fish sauce as well.
This has become a go-to stir fry recipe. Easy & delicious. But I don’t think I’d make it if I only had regular basil on hand. Thai basil is what really makes this dish pop. Anyway, I like your site – it goes a long ways towards de-mystifying Chinese / Asian cuisine. Thanks!
You’re welcome, Timothy. Thai basil is definitely best, but for those who don’t have access to it, I still say regular basil is a reasonable substitute if it means having the chance to try out this recipe!
Hi, Sarah.
What kind of meat would you suggest to use for this?
Hi Denise, flank steak works great. You could also use sirloin or even chuck—as long as you slice it super thinly against the grain (it’s easier to slice thinly when the meat is partially frozen!)
First Thai dish I tried to cook myself. Taste is great and easy to make. My older son wants more, and my younger son (a very picky-eater) cleaned his dish! This is definitely a keeper and is now my favorite beef dish for the family. Thumbs up from all!
Yay, so happy to hear that!
I just cooked this receipe for my 10th year wedding anniversary and my wife loved it! One of the nicest tasting things I have cooked! There was not much sauce though with it, could you recommend anything to add to it next time I cook it ?
Hi Scott, so glad you and your wife enjoyed it on such a special occasion! This isn’t meant to be a super saucy dish, but if you like more sauce, you can add about 1/4 to 1/3 cup chicken or beef stock to the sauce, and thicken it with a cornstarch slurry (1-2 teaspoons cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water).