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    Home » Recipes » Main Dishes

    Thai Basil Pork

    Published: Mar 7, 2022 · Modified: Apr 9, 2022 by Neriz · This post contains some affiliate links.

    • 2
    Jump to Recipe

    Are you looking for a pork dish that’s ready in thirty minutes and packed with Asian flavors?  Then you need to try Thai Basil Pork!  Delicious ground pork, with a hint of sweet basil and chili — you’ll surely be asking for more! 

    An overhead shot of a plate of Thai basil and ground pork, served with a bowl of rice.

    (*This post contains some affiliate links)

    Thai basil pork is perfect when you want something quick without skimping on flavors. 

    Every bite is a perfect balance of pork flavor, herb, and spice — no doubt it will become a favorite for your weeknight dinners. 

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    Ingredients

    All the ingredients you need to prepare Thai basil pork at homee.
    • Ground pork – sometimes called ‘minced pork‘ in other parts of the world; make sure it’s not frozen.
    • Chili – I strongly suggest using a mix of red and green chili when making Thai basil with ground pork.
    • Garlic – at least five cloves, more, if you love garlic.
    • Soy sauce – I always use light soy sauce or Thai thin soy sauce. 
    • Sugar – regular granulated sugar is all you need for this Thai basil pork recipe.
    • Oil – canola or sunflower oil would be excellent.
    • Sweet basil – note that sweet basil is different from holy basil or Italian basil.  
    A closer shot of a plate of ground beef with basil, highlighting the mix of herb and chili on the dish.

    Preparation 

    Start preparing your Thai basil with ground pork by using a mortar and pestle to grind the chili and garlic cloves (photo 1). 

    If you want to turn it into a fine paste, it’s up to you. 

    Place the wok or skillet on medium heat. 

    First part of a collage of images showing the process of preparing sweet basil with pork at home.

    Pour the oil into the wok (photo 2). 

    Once the oil is ready, add the chilis and garlic mix (photo 3). 

    Cook for at least a minute or until the garlic becomes fragrant. 

    Second part of a collage of images showing the process of making Thai basil pork at home.

    Add the ground pork (photo 4). 

    Adjust the heat to medium-high. 

    Mix the minced pork regularly and cook until it’s almost done — it typically takes eight to ten minutes. 

    Add the sugar and soy sauce (photo 5). 

    Last part of a collage of images showing the steps for preparing Thai basil with pork.

    Add the sweet basil (photo 6). 

    Mix to combine and cook for about two minutes. 

    Transfer your minced pork with basil into plates and serve. 

    An overhead shot of a wok of Thai basil ground pork, ready for transferring into plates.

    Helpful tips

    • If you have a low tolerance for chili, make sure you use less than what I have indicated for this Thai basil with ground pork — two pieces instead of four is a good start.
    • There is no need to tear the leaves of the sweet basil.  Instead, add them directly into the ground pork, and they will shrink once cooked.
    • Feel free to add salt if you think the pork is not salty enough.  

    I typically don’t because the saltiness coming from the soy sauce is enough for my taste. 

    A closer shot of a bowl of steamed white rice with pork with basil on top.

    Recipe variation

    • Bird’s eye chili.  Smaller in size, but an excellent alternative to Thai chili, and sometimes, easier to find.
    • Food processor.  Depending on how much chili and garlic you intend to use, you can use a food processor to turn them into a paste instead of a mortar and pestle.
    • Fish sauce.  If you have fish sauce on hand, use it instead of salt to adjust the seasoning of the minced pork with basil. 

    FAQ

    How do I serve this?

    It needs to be paired with another dish that’s almost neutral in flavor.   

    The simpler the dish, the better match it is for this Thai pork dish because it will not overpower the flavor of the pork with basil. 

    When in doubt, do what I generally do —- serve it with steamed white rice. 

    So how about it?  Give this Thai basil pork recipe a try one of these nights! 

    Text for Roundup Sections
    • Latest (Oct22) feature image for Easy Thai Recipes post.

    📖 Recipe

    An overhead shot of a plate of Thai basil and ground pork, served with a bowl of rice.

    Thai Basil Pork Recipe

    Are you looking for a pork dish that's ready in thirty minutes and packed with Asian flavors?  Then you need to try Thai Basil Pork!  Delicious ground pork, with a hint of sweet basil and chili — you'll surely be asking for more!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Thai
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 414kcal
    Author: Neriz

    Equipment

    • Mortar and pestle
    • Colander
    • Measuring Spoons
    • Wok
    • Rubber Spatula

    Ingredients

    • 3 to 4 pieces chili (mix of red and green)
    • 5 cloves garlic
    • 3 tbsp oil
    • 1 pound ground pork (about 500 grams), also called minced pork
    • 1 & 1/2 to 2 tbsp soy sauce
    • 2 tsp sugar
    • 3 & 1/2 ounces sweet basil (about 100 grams)

    Instructions

    • Use a mortar and pestle to grind the chili and garlic.  
      (Note: It's up to you if you want to turn it into a fine paste.)
    • Place the wok or skillet on medium heat.
    • Pour the oil into the wok.
    • Once the oil is ready, add the mix of chili and garlic.
    • Cook for at least 1 minute or until the garlic becomes fragrant.
    • Add the ground pork.
    • Adjust the heat to medium-high.
    • Mix the ground pork regularly and cook until it's almost done — it typically takes 8 to 10 minutes.
    • Add the sugar, soy sauce, and sweet basil.
    • Mix to combine and continue cooking for about 2 minutes.
    • Transfer into plates.
    • Serve your Thai basil and ground pork with steamed white rice, if desired.

    Notes

    • Cook’s Tip #1:  If you have a low tolerance for chili, make sure you use less than what I have indicated for this ground pork with basil recipe — two pieces instead of four is a good start.
    • Cook’s Tip #2:  There is no need to tear the leaves of the sweet basil.  Just add them directly into the ground pork, and they will shrink when cooked.
    • Cook’s Tip #3:  Do not hesitate to add salt (or fish sauce) if you think the pork is not properly seasoned. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 414kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 442mg | Potassium: 430mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1324IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @foodandjourneys or tag #foodandjourneys!

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