Pad Kra Pao (Thai Basil Stir-Fry)
Local name: ผัดกะเพรา
In short: Minced pork wok-fried with garlic, plenty of chilies and holy basil, served over rice with a crisp-edged fried egg on top. It takes about 25 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Total
- 25 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 605 kcal
Pad kra pao is probably the dish Thai people order most for a quick lunch. Pork or chicken is chopped small and stir-fried hard with garlic and chilies, seasoned with a little soy and oyster sauce, and finished with holy basil, which smells peppery and a bit like clove. A fried egg with lacy crisp edges goes on top. It takes ten minutes, so have everything ready before you light the stove.
Instructions
- Pound the garlic and chilies together in a mortar to a rough, coarse paste. If you do not have a mortar, chop them finely with a knife.
- Mix the oyster sauce, both soy sauces, sugar, fish sauce and water in a small bowl.
- Heat the 3 tablespoons of oil in a wok over high heat until it shimmers. Add the garlic and chili paste and stir for 15 seconds, until fragrant but not browned.
- Add the pork and break it into small pieces. Stir-fry for 3 to 4 minutes, until it is no longer pink and the edges begin to brown (71°C/160°F inside).
- Add the beans and the sauce and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the sauce clings to the meat. Turn off the heat and stir in the basil until just wilted.
- For the eggs, heat the 3 tablespoons of oil for the eggs in a small pan until very hot. Crack in the eggs, one or two at a time, and fry for 1 to 2 minutes, spooning the oil over the whites until the edges are brown and lacy.
- Spoon the rice onto plates, top with the stir-fry and a fried egg and serve immediately.
Tips
- Holy basil is the traditional herb. If you can only find Thai or sweet basil, use it, but expect a milder, sweeter flavor with less pepperiness.
- Chicken thigh, minced beef or firm tofu work well in place of pork. Add a splash of water if the pan looks dry.
Questions and answers
Is pad kra pao the same as pad thai?
No. Pad thai is a sweet-sour rice noodle dish with tamarind and peanuts. Pad kra pao is a hot, savory basil stir-fry served over rice.
How spicy is pad kra pao?
In Thailand, quite hot. Use 2 or 3 chilies for a mild version, and remove the seeds if you want the flavor with less fire.
Can I make pad kra pao without oyster sauce?
Yes. Replace it with an extra teaspoon of light soy sauce and a pinch of sugar. The flavor will be a little less deep and sweet.
How long does it take to make Pad Kra Pao (Thai Basil Stir-Fry)?
About 25 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 10 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Pad Kra Pao (Thai Basil Stir-Fry)?
About 605 kcal per serving, with 28 g of protein, 47 g of carbohydrates and 34 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 605 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 28 g |
| Carbohydrates | 47 g |
| Fat | 34 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 1000 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
