Quick and Fresh Basil Beef Skillet

Name: Quick and Fresh Basil Beef Skillet
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Thai inspired
Ingredients: 1 pound lean ground beef; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tablespoons soy sauce; 1 tablespoon oyster sauce; 1 tablespoon brown sugar; 1 tablespoon vegetable oil; 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed; 1 red chili, sliced (optional); Salt and black pepper to taste

This fragrant basil beef is my favorite way to use up garden herbs for a fast weeknight dinner.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 Thai inspired· August 10, 2026

recipesbynani.com

Prep

5 minutes

Cook

15 minutes

Total

20 minutes

Serves

When my basil plants are going wild in the backyard, this is the meal I turn to every single time. It is a simple one pan wonder that tastes just as good as anything you would order for takeout, but it comes together in your own kitchen in about twenty minutes.

I love how the peppery basil cuts through the savory beef. It is incredibly versatile, so feel free to serve it over a bowl of fluffy jasmine rice or use lettuce leaves for a lighter, crunchier wrap.

🧺 Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
1 red chili, sliced (optional)
Salt and black pepper to taste

👩‍🍳Instructions

1
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
2
Add the ground beef to the pan and cook until it is browned, breaking it up with a spoon as you go.
3
Stir in the minced garlic and the chili if you are using it, then cook for one minute until fragrant.
4
In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and brown sugar.
5
Pour the sauce mixture over the beef and stir well to coat everything evenly.
6
Add the fresh basil leaves to the pan and toss for about thirty seconds just until they start to wilt.
7
Remove from the heat immediately and serve while the basil is still vibrant and bright.

💡 Tips

Serve this over warm jasmine rice to soak up all the flavorful sauce. If you have leftovers, keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days and reheat gently in a skillet.

#dinner #quick #beef #stir fry

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