Holy Basil Stir Fry Recipe

Nothing beats the symphony of flavors that erupts in your kitchen when you whip up a spicy Thai basil chicken stir-fry, complete with the aromatic hit of garlic and chilies that’ll have your taste buds buzzing in anticipation. 🍜🔥

I love generating speedy, tasty meals, such as Holy Basil Stir Fry. My version is a savory whirl of minced garlic and spicy bird chilies, ground chicken for heft, and fragrant holy basil, which—let’s be real—makes this dish what it is.

Add soy and oyster sauces (in that order; see below) for depth, and you’re left with a stir fry that’s perfectly balanced and totally satisfying. Dish it out over steamed rice for a hit of comfort, and you’ve got a meal that’s done in under 30 minutes.

Holy Basil Stir Fry Recipe Ingredients

• Holy Basil: Provides distinctive peppery flavor, rich in antioxidants.
• Thai Bird Chilies: Adds significant heat, contains vitamin C, boosts metabolism.
• Ground Chicken or Pork: Excellent source of protein, supports muscle growth.
• Garlic: Offers aromatic depth, boosts immunity, supports heart health.
• Soy Sauce: Lends salty umami richness, contains sodium.
• Oyster Sauce: Provides sweet-salty depth, contains minimal protein.
• Fish Sauce: Adds salty umami, rich in essential amino acids.

Holy Basil Stir Fry Recipe Ingredient Quantities

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2-3 Thai bird chilies, chopped
• 200 grams ground chicken or pork
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 cup holy basil leaves
• 1 medium onion, sliced (optional)
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced (optional)
• Steamed rice, for serving
• Fried egg, for serving (optional)

How to Make this Holy Basil Stir Fry Recipe

1. In a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat, heat the vegetable oil.

2. Add the minced garlic and chopped Thai bird chilies to the pan. Stir quickly to release their aroma.

3. Add the ground chicken or pork, crumbling it with a spatula, and cook until it turns white and there is no pink left.

4. Combine the sliced onion and red bell pepper, if you’re using it, and cook until they start to soften.

5. Add the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and fish sauce to the mixture, then sprinkle the sugar over the top.

6. Mix everything together well, so that meat and vegetables are thoroughly covered with the sauces.

7. Raise the heat a bit and let the mix cook for a few more minutes, until the vegetables are tender.

8. Add the leaves of the holy basil and stir-fry them until they’re just wilted.

9. If you need to, taste, and adjust the seasoning. You can add more fish sauce or sugar to get it to your desired flavor. This is a rough estimate of the amount of sugar you may need. You may need less or more depending on the brand of fish sauce and your flavor preferences.

10. Serve the stir-fry over steamed rice and hot. If you like, top it with a fried egg.

Holy Basil Stir Fry Recipe Equipment Needed

1. Large skillet or wok
2. Spatula
3. Knife
4. Cutting board
5. Measuring spoons
6. Serving spoon
7. Bowl for serving rice and stir-fry
8. Rice cooker or pot for steaming rice (optional)
9. Frying pan (if adding a fried egg)

FAQ

• Can I use another type of basil if I can’t find holy basil?You can certainly use Thai basil or even sweet basil, although the flavor will be different. Holy basil imparts a distinct peppery taste, which is one of a kind.
• Is there an alternative to Thai bird chilies?Other kinds of chilies may be used, such as serrano or jalapeño; just adjust the amounts to suit your preferred level of heat.
• Can I make this dish vegetarian?Certainly, you could swap the ground chicken or pork for an alternative made of plants. You could use a meat mimicker that is ground or use diced-up tofu.
• How spicy is this dish?Depending on the amount of chilies used, the dish can be really spicy. Use as many or as few chilies as you like to suit your spice preference.
• What is the purpose of sugar in this recipe?The sugar balances out the saltiness of the soy sauce, and adds a touch of sweetness that elevates the overall flavor.
• Do I have to use all the sauces listed?Incorporating all the sauces yields a base layer of flavor. But if you have some variety in your dietary preferences or restrictions, there’s room for substitution.

  Soy sauce might get you a better umami hit, but if gluten is a concern, opt for tamari.

• Can onion and bell pepper be omitted?Indeed, they are not required and mostly contribute to an added depth of flavor. The dish itself is traditionally straightforward, centering on the pork and the basil.

Holy Basil Stir Fry Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Canola oil or sunflower oil can replace vegetable oil.
Thai bird chilies may be replaced with serrano peppers or red chili flakes.
Substitute ground turkey or ground beef for ground chicken or pork.
Soy sauce. For a gluten-free substitute, use tamari.
Leaves of holy basil: If you can’t get holy basil, use either Thai basil or regular basil.

Pro Tips

1. Maximize Flavor with Proper Heat: Use high heat throughout the cooking process to achieve a quick sear on the meat and vegetables. This helps to develop more intense flavors and maintain the vibrant colors and crispness of the vegetables.