An excellent way to enjoy fresh Thai basil is in a savory fried rice dish. This Thai Basil Fried Rice recipe is an incredible twist on classic fried rice, filled with a mouthwatering aroma and vibrant flavors that I am sure you will love.
What Is Thai Basil?
You might be wondering what Thai Basil is, it is a variety of basil native to Southeast Asia with an anise or black licorice flavor. It has a purple stem and flowers, as well as thin, dark green leaves.
The dish itself is a staple in many Asian cuisines. It consists of cooked rice mixed with an egg and jumbo shrimp and flavored with a delicious Asian-style sauce!
I love this dish because it is a great way to use leftover rice, and it is also a quick and easy one-pan dish that is perfect for lunch or dinner. I usually serve this dish as is without any sides for lunch or light dinner.
For more rice recipes, check Chimichurri Rice.
Ingredients
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Garlic and Onion. They will enhance the flavor of this dish.
Thai Chili Peppers. A bit of spice will always be a good thing in a savory dish, giving it a warm and spicy taste. You may use Serrano pepper instead, it has almost the same level of heat and will work well in this recipe.
Butter. I prefer to use butter in sauteing garlic and onion along with the shrimp and chili.
Cooked Rice. I use leftover cooked jasmine rice in this recipe.
Shrimp. I use jumbo shrimp.
Eggs. I use 2 large eggs.
For the sauce: I use fish sauce, oyster sauce, honey, soy sauce, black pepper and Thai basil.
Tip: Thai basil can easily be found in your local grocery store in the Asian section or at a local Asian market. You may also replace it with regular basil.
How To Make Thai Basil Fried Rice - Step By Step
One: In a small bowl, mix oyster sauce, fish sauce, soy sauce, honey and black pepper until combined.
Two: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat; add butter, chili, garlic, onion and shrimp.
Three: Stir fry for 1-2 minutes; push everything to a side of the skillet.
Four: Crack 2 eggs, cook for 1 minute, then toss everything together.
Five: Add the rice and the oyster sauce mixture. Cook everything together for 2 to 3 minutes.
Six: Toss in basil and turn off the heat. Serve hot!
Helpful Tips!
- Use leftover cooked rice for this recipe. Freshly or newly cooked rice still has so much moisture in them that it will only make your fried rice wet and somewhat lumpy.
- You can make vegetarian Thai basil by simply skipping the shrimp and using a vegan fish sauce.
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Recipe
Thai Basil Fried Rice
Equipment
- Pot
- Frying pan
Ingredients
- 6 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 Thai chili pepper , chopped
- 1 onion , sliced
- 2 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 3 cups cooked rice
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 400 g jumbo shrimp , peeled & deveined
- 2 eggs
- 1 bunch Thai basil , chopped
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix oyster sauce, fish sauce, soy sauce, honey and black pepper until combined.2 tablespoon oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon fish sauce, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon honey, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat; add butter, chili, garlic, onion and shrimp.6 cloves garlic, 1 Thai chili pepper, 1 onion, 2 tablespoon butter, 400 g jumbo shrimp
- Stir fry for 1-2 minutes; push everything to a side of the skillet.
- Crack 2 eggs, cook for 1 minute, then toss everything together.2 eggs
- Add the rice and the sauce mixture. Cook everything together for 2 to 3 minutes.3 cups cooked rice
- Toss in basil and turn off the heat. Serve hot!1 bunch Thai basil
Greta
Easy to make; however, I replaced the shrimp with chopped chicken breasts.