This season is especially busy for our family with two boys playing baseball and the school year wrapping up. While I enjoy spending a long afternoon preparing an elaborate meal, most nights I need something quick, satisfying, and nourishing. This Thai basil beef fits the bill: it’s full of vegetables, makes great leftovers, and becomes a complete meal when served over rice. If you’re short on time, using pre-cooked rice is an easy shortcut.
The recipe below calls for carrots, bell pepper, and mushrooms, but it’s a terrific way to use up any random vegetables in your fridge. Half a zucchini, a handful of spinach, or some forgotten snap peas will all work—just toss them in and let the savory sauce tie everything together into a flavorful stir-fry everyone will ask for seconds of.
It’s called Thai basil beef because it features Thai basil, which differs slightly from sweet basil in flavor and appearance. Thai basil often has a hint of spice and a subtle licorice note, and its stems can have a purple tint. It also withstands high-heat cooking a bit better. If you can’t find Thai basil, regular basil will still taste great. Note that this recipe is a home-style interpretation rather than an authentic Thai dish.
This is one of those easy, reliable meals you’ll want to make repeatedly. If preparing ahead of time, store the rice separately from the beef and vegetables to keep textures at their best. Enjoy!
- 1.5 lbs. ground beef
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bunch green onions (about 7), thinly sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup mushrooms, diced
- 2 carrots, julienned
- 1/2 tbsp. cornstarch
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
- 1 cup loosely packed basil leaves, sliced into ribbons
- Cooked rice, for serving
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef, breaking it into small pieces with a spatula.
- Add the garlic, green onions, bell pepper, and mushrooms. Cook until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Stir in the carrots and cook for an additional minute.
- Sprinkle in the cornstarch and stir to combine evenly.
- Whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, salt, and pepper, then pour the mixture into the pan with the beef and vegetables.
- Add the basil and stir just until it wilts.
- Serve the stir-fry over rice, noodles, or your favorite grain.
Like what you see? Pin it here!
