A fast, flavorful Thai-inspired dish made with lean minced pork, fragrant Thai basil, garlic, chilies, and a savory sauce. It is high in protein, easy to prepare, and perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
Servings
4 servings
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
12 minutes
Total Time
22 minutes
Ingredients
For the Pork
1 lb (450 g) lean ground pork, preferably 90–95% lean
1 tbsp avocado oil or olive oil
5 cloves garlic, finely minced
2–3 Thai red chilies, finely sliced
1 small shallot, finely diced
1 1/2 cups fresh Thai basil leaves
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
For the Sauce
2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tbsp fish sauce
1 tsp dark soy sauce, optional
1 tsp honey or brown sugar
1 tbsp water
1 tsp fresh lime juice
Optional Garnishes
Fresh Thai basil
Sliced red chilies
Lime wedges
Thinly sliced green onions
Sesame seeds, optional
Optional High-Protein Serving
4 large eggs
Cooked jasmine or brown rice, optional
Cauliflower rice for a lower-carb option
Instructions
1. Prepare the sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, dark soy sauce, honey or brown sugar, water, and lime juice.
Set aside.
2. Prepare the aromatics
Finely mince the garlic and shallot.
Slice the Thai chilies. If you prefer less heat, remove the seeds or use just one chili.
Keep the Thai basil leaves ready because they are added near the end of cooking.
3. Cook the pork
Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
Add the oil and then add the minced pork.
Cook for approximately 5–6 minutes, breaking the pork apart with a spatula as it cooks.
Continue cooking until the pork is browned and reaches a safe internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
4. Add garlic, shallot, and chilies
Push the pork toward one side of the skillet.
Add the garlic, shallot, and chilies to the empty side.
Stir-fry for approximately 1 minute, until fragrant.
Mix everything together.
5. Add the sauce
Pour the prepared sauce over the pork.
Stir thoroughly and cook for another 2–3 minutes.
The sauce should lightly coat the pork without making it overly wet.
6. Add Thai basil
Turn the heat to low.
Add the Thai basil leaves and toss everything together.
Cook for approximately 30–60 seconds, just until the basil wilts and releases its aroma.
Avoid overcooking the basil.
7. Serve
Serve immediately over rice, cauliflower rice, or your preferred low-carb base.
For an extra protein boost, top each serving with a fried or soft-boiled egg.
Garnish with fresh basil, sliced chilies, green onions, and a squeeze of lime.
Nutrition Information
Pork Only
Approximate per serving, based on 4 servings:
Calories: 310 kcal
Protein: 30 g
Total Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 5 g
Carbohydrates: 7 g
Fiber: 1 g
Net Carbs: 6 g
Sugar: 3 g
Sodium: 1,050 mg
Cholesterol: 95 mg
Nutrition values are estimates and vary depending on the fat percentage of the pork and brands of sauces used.
With 1 Large Egg Per Serving
Approximately:
Calories: 380 kcal
Protein: 36 g
Fat: 23 g
Carbohydrates: 7 g
With 1 Cup Cooked Rice Per Serving
Approximately:
Calories: 515 kcal
Protein: 40 g
Carbohydrates: 52 g
Fat: 19 g
Dietary Information
High Protein: Yes
Low Carb: Yes, when served without rice
Keto-Friendly: Can be, using a keto-friendly sweetener and low-carb sides
Gluten-Free: Use certified gluten-free soy sauce/tamari and gluten-free oyster sauce
Dairy-Free: Yes
Nut-Free: Yes, naturally
Egg-Free: Yes, without the optional egg
Vegetarian: No
Mediterranean: No
Thai-Inspired: Yes
How to Make It Even Higher in Protein
For a meal containing 40+ grams of protein per serving, add one large egg to each serving.
You can also:
Use 95% lean ground pork
Add extra lean pork
Serve with steamed edamame
Add a side of egg whites
Use Greek yogurt-based cucumber salad as a side
Tips for the Best Thai Basil Pork
Use Thai basil if possible
Thai basil provides the distinctive anise-like flavor associated with Thai basil pork. Regular Italian basil can work in a pinch, but the flavor will be different.
Get the skillet hot
A hot wok or skillet helps brown the pork instead of steaming it.
Don’t overcrowd the pan
If doubling the recipe, cook the pork in batches for better browning.
Control the heat
Thai chilies can be very spicy. Start with one or two and add more if desired.
Don’t overcook the basil
Add it at the very end. A brief cooking time keeps its aroma fresh.
Balance the flavors
Thai-inspired dishes generally benefit from balancing salty, sweet, sour, and spicy flavors. Taste the finished pork and adjust with lime juice, chili, or a small amount of sweetener.
Recipe Q&A
Can I use ground chicken instead of pork?
Yes. Ground chicken or turkey works very well and can make the dish even leaner.
Can I use regular basil?
Yes, but Thai basil is preferable. Regular basil will produce a milder, sweeter flavor.
What can I use instead of fish sauce?
You can use additional soy sauce, although fish sauce provides a distinctive savory flavor.
Can I make this recipe low sodium?
Yes. Use low-sodium soy sauce, reduce the fish sauce, and choose a lower-sodium oyster sauce.
Is this recipe keto-friendly?
It can be. Serve it with cauliflower rice or steamed vegetables and replace the honey or brown sugar with a keto-friendly sweetener.
Can I meal prep this?
Yes. Divide the cooked pork into four airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 3–4 days.
Can I freeze it?
Yes. Cool the pork completely, place it in freezer-safe containers, and freeze for up to 2–3 months for best quality.
How do I reheat it?
Reheat in a skillet over medium heat until steaming hot, or microwave until thoroughly heated.
What vegetables go well with it?
Broccoli, green beans, bell peppers, snap peas, zucchini, cabbage, and bok choy are excellent choices.
Can I make it without chilies?
Absolutely. Simply omit them for a mild version.
Can I use pork tenderloin instead of minced pork?
Yes, but mince or finely chop the pork before cooking so it develops a similar texture.
What should I serve with Thai basil pork?
Try jasmine rice, brown rice, cauliflower rice, steamed broccoli, lettuce cups, cucumber salad, or stir-fried vegetables.
Can I add an egg?
Yes. A crispy fried egg on top is a classic-style serving option and adds extra protein.
How spicy is this recipe?
With 2–3 Thai chilies, it will generally be medium to hot. Use fewer chilies for mild heat or add more for a fiery version.
Quick Serving Idea
High-Protein Thai Basil Pork Bowl:
Layer cauliflower rice or jasmine rice in a bowl, add the Thai basil pork, top with a fried egg, and finish with fresh Thai basil, sliced chili, green onion, and lime. This creates a filling, protein-rich meal in about 20 minutes.
With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.
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