Thai basil stir-fried pork, Pad Kra Pao

easy recipe of the pork pad kra pao

A friend shared this recipe with me. I had a bag of Thai basil in my fridge that I bought at an Asian grocery store and didn’t know what to do with it. I was looking for a simple and slightly spicy recipe, and I have to say this one is perfect! Stir-fried pork with Thai basil is a classic dish in Thai cuisine, both fragrant and generous.

To make it, you just cook ground pork in a flavorful sauce, enhanced with garlic and chili, then add a handful of fresh Thai basil (the best part of the recipe when all the aromas come together). Served with white rice (I used sticky rice this time) and maybe a fried egg with crispy edges, this dish embodies the essence of Thai street food: simple and authentic.

There are many variations, you can replace the pork with chicken, beef, seafood, or tofu…

Ingredients for 2 people:

  • 200 g ground pork

  • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

  • Red chili (adjust to your spice tolerance), sliced

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce

  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce

  • 1 teaspoon sugar

  • 1 teaspoon fish sauce

  • A handful of Thai basil leaves (about 10–15 leaves)

  • 1 egg

  • Cooked white rice, to serve

Préparation :

  • Finely chop 2 garlic cloves and slice 1 red chili. Adjust the amount of chili according to your preferred spice level (you can also use dried chili if fresh is not available).

  • Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a pan or wok over medium-high heat.

  • Add the garlic and chili to the hot oil to release their aromas. Sauté for about 30 seconds.

  • Add the ground pork and stir. After 3 to 4 minutes, the pork should be nicely browned and cooked through.

  • Season with 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, 1 teaspoon sugar, and 1 teaspoon fish sauce. Stir to coat the pork with the sauce, then cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until the pork caramelizes slightly.

  • Add a handful of Thai basil leaves and mix until they soften and release their fragrance.

  • If desired (and it tastes better this way), fry an egg separately in a little oil until the edges are crispy.

  • Serve the sautéed pork over cooked white rice, top with the fried egg, and enjoy!