Thai Basil Beef (Pad Krapow)
Estimated $5.13 recipe · $2.56 per serving (US / USD)
Fiery stir-fried beef mince with Thai basil, chilli, and oyster sauce over rice.
The recipe
Thai Basil Beef (Pad Krapow)
Fiery stir-fried beef mince with Thai basil, chilli, and oyster sauce over rice.
Ingredients
- 280g beef mince
- 150g rice
- 2 eggs
- 3 garlic cloves
- 2 red chillies
- 2 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp fish sauce
- Large handful fresh basil
Estimated recipe cost
$5.13 for 2 servings · $2.56 per serving
US grocery planning estimate in USD. Includes the amounts used from the listed ingredients, including pantry items. Prices and portion weights vary.
Ingredient-by-ingredient breakdown
| Ingredient & price basis | Cost used |
|---|---|
| 280g beef mincePlanning assumption · $5.50 / 454 g · Uses 280g | $3.40 |
| 150g riceRetail benchmark · $1.77 / 907 g · Retail reference · Uses 150g | $0.29 |
| 2 eggsRetail benchmark · $1.67 / 12 each · Retail reference · Count stated in recipe | $0.28 |
| 3 garlic clovesRetail benchmark · $0.72 / 30 g · Retail reference · Assumes 3 g per item/portion | $0.22 |
| 2 red chilliesPlanning assumption · $2.00 / 100 g · Assumes 5 g per item | $0.20 |
| 2 tbsp oyster saucePlanning assumption · $3.00 / 255 g · 1 tbsp ≈ 18g | $0.42 |
| 1 tbsp soy sauceRetail benchmark · $1.68 / 444 ml · Retail reference · 1 tbsp ≈ 15ml | $0.06 |
| 1 tsp fish saucePlanning assumption · $3.00 / 200 ml · 1 tsp ≈ 5ml | $0.08 |
| Large handful fresh basilPlanning assumption · $1.00 / 28 g · Assumes 5 g per item/portion | $0.18 |
| Estimated total | $5.13 |
Retail references are representative products, not quotes for every variety. Other prices are editorial planning assumptions. Checked 9 October 2026; these are not live prices.
Price bases and quantity assumptions refer to the original recipe. Unspecified quantities use the assumptions shown above. Listed optional ingredients are included. Unlisted sides, extra seasoning, tax, energy and delivery are excluded. Buying full packages will cost more.
Instructions
- Rinse the rice and cook in 300ml salted water — boil, cover, simmer 12 min, rest 5 min.
- Mince the garlic. Finely slice the red chillies (deseed for less heat). Pick the basil leaves and keep them ready.
- Heat a wok or large pan over very high heat until smoking. Add oil, then the garlic and chillies. Stir-fry 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the beef mince and press into the pan without stirring — let it sear 1–2 min to develop colour, then break up and stir-fry 3–4 min until cooked through.
- Add oyster sauce, soy sauce, and fish sauce. Toss over high heat 1–2 min until the sauce clings to the beef.
- Remove from heat and immediately fold in the fresh basil — the residual heat wilts it perfectly.
- Fry the eggs separately in a little oil — sunny-side up with crispy edges. Serve the beef over rice, topped with a fried egg.
Recipe notes
Thai basil is key here — sweet basil works but the flavour won't be quite as authentic.
Estimated nutrition per serving
570 kcal · 38g protein. Values are estimates and vary with brands, substitutions and portions.
Recipe images may be AI-generated illustrations. Nutrition figures are estimates.