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Test Kitchen Approved

Thai Basil Beef

Time: 25 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

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About

We can't get over how much we love the sauce for Thai Basil Beef! It's deeply savory and smoky-sweet, with a citrus tang and just the right amount of spice. Combined with aromatic basil and garlic flavors, this sauce isn't just a coating for perfectly browned beef—it's practically a tuxedo! Thai Basil Beef takes less than half an hour to make, but you'll savor every minute it's on your plate.

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Ingredients

  • For the beef:
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1 sweet onion, thinly sliced
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup loosely-packed, fresh basil leaves
  • For the sauce:
  • 1 tablespoon chili paste
  • 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • For serving:
  • cooked rice, optional
  • fresh basil leaves, optional
  • cilantro, optional

Directions

Step 1 -Over medium-high heat, heat the oil in a large pan or skillet.

Step 2 -Add the ground beef and stir, with your choice of a spoon, until broken apart and browned.

Step 3 -Add the bell pepper and sweet onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.

Step 4 -Add the garlic cloves, cooking until fragrant, about 1 to 2 minutes.

Step 5 -To prepare the sauce, using a separate bowl, mix the chili paste, soy sauce, fish sauce, brown sugar, and lime juice until fully incorporated.

Step 6 -Then add the sauce into the pan with the beef, pepper, and onion.

Step 7 -Add the cup of fresh basil and cook until the basil wilts, about 3 minutes.

Step 8 -Ladle the fully sauced beef onto your cooked rice, if desired.

Step 9 -Garnish with basil and cilantro to taste.

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