Growing Thai basil in our raised garden beds this year has meant that we have enjoyed some really tasty Thai-inspired meals, including the always-favorite Pad Kaprow and Thai Basil Pesto. I'm adding this Thai Basil Beef and Green Beans to that list; it's quick and easy and packs a big flavor punch.
The ingredient list is relatively short and this dish comes together quickly. If you want rice to go alongside the Thai basil beef, get started with that first! I used thawed frozen green beans this time around; I think Trader Joe's has the best quality haricot verts in the freezer section that always taste perfectly fresh in our meals. The other flavor players are thinly (¼") sliced flank steak (make sure you are cutting against the grain for maximum tenderness), brown sugar, Thai basil leaves, fish sauce, and garlic.
I think they key to this preparation and getting the dark brown caramelization of the beef is listening to the pan. When you add the oil in the beginning, wait until it is screaming hot. Add the beef in a single layer and then just leave it be. You'll see some moisture come out of the beef and it will sound like it's bubbling and boiling rather than frying, but wait patiently! Soon enough, the sound will shift and you'll hear a crackling and spitting of the oil which means you are almost there. When the first side is deep brown, go ahead and start stir frying, turning the beef around and shaking the pan. Add the garlic and green beans and fry until the beans are tender. Keep things moving to avoid burning the garlic! Finish with the basil and the sauce and you're done! Deeply flavorful beef and green beans over sticky jasmine rice is a treat.
Give this quick dinner a try and let me know what you think. I'm willing to bet it is a new family favorite!
Thai Basil Beef and Green Beans
Ingredients
Stir Fry Ingredients
- 1 pound flank steak, sliced thinly across the grain
- 2 cups green beans, trimmed to 2" about 6 ounces
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup Thai basil leaves
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
Stir Fry Sauce
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
- ¼ cup fish sauce
- ¼ cup water
Instructions
- Heat the oil over high heat in a large skillet.
- Add the beef in a single layer. Cook without disturbing until the beef is deeply browned.
- Stir fry and continue to cook beef until the moisture has evaporated.
- Add the garlic and green beans to the pan. Cook 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Add the basil and the stir fry sauce to the pan, tossing to coat all ingredients.
[…] Thai Basil Beef and Green Beans: Quick and full of flavor! This one is a guaranteed kid-pleaser (as much as that is ever a true phrase), and our garden Thai basil is finally recovered enough for us to make this! […]