• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Recipe Tale
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • Contact
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Dinner

    Thai Basil Fried Rice

    Published: Nov 28, 2022 by Radwa · 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This authentic Thai Basil Fried Rice recipe is an incredible twist to your classic fried rice, as this one is filled with mouthwatering aroma and vibrant flavor that you will certainly love.

    An excellent way to enjoy fresh Thai basil is in a savory fried rice dish. The dish itself is a staple in many Asian cuisines and consists of cooked rice mixed with an egg and jumbo shrimp for more flavor!

    overhead shot of Thai Basil Fried Rice in a pan

    The sweet and spicy flavors of Thai basil pieces complement the savory umami of fish sauce and the luxurious sweetness of oyster sauce in this fried rice dish. If you are fond of experimenting with cuisines from different countries, you should try this one out!

    Parts of Southeast Asian countries, particularly the Philippines, treat fried rice as a breakfast staple. For them, it is a bit incomplete to eat breakfast without fried rice on the table. Hence, serve this Thai Basil Fried Rice for your breakfast! Indulge yourself in a savory with hints of umami flavor as you get yourself ready for the day. This dish will pair well with chicken, meat, and other breakfast-y food you have at home.

    Jump to:
    • What Is Thai Basil?
    • Why Does This Recipe Work?
    • Thai Basil Fried Rice Ingredients
    • How To Make Thai Basil Fried Rice – Step By Step
    • Top Tips!
    • Recipe Variations
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Storage
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Recipes you may like
    • Recipe
    • Comments

    What Is Thai Basil?

    You might be wondering what Thai Basil is so let’s take a detour and explain what it is. Thai basil 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.

    Why Does This Recipe Work?

    The flavors of this fried rice recipe are already enough to make this recipe a must-try, but here are some of the best things about this recipe that you will surely fall in love more with it:

    • This is a quick and easy recipe perfect for a hectic morning. Don’t start your day with an early stomach. Make this recipe at home and eat something filling before you trudge on to your busy day!
    • A savory dish that will satisfy your tastebuds. It has the perfect combination of sweet, savory, and umami, with hints of spice.
    • This is one of the best Thai recipes ever and a great way to use leftover rice.
    a spoonful of Thai Basil Fried Rice

    Thai Basil Fried Rice Ingredients

    Garlic Cloves. Garlic cloves will elevate all the flavors found in this recipe giving it a robust flavor.

    Thai Chili Peppers. A bit of spice will always be a good thing in a savory dish, so add Thai Chili to the mix! It has a heat that will explode throughout this dish, giving it a warm and spicy taste.

    Onion. Onion is another aromatic for this recipe, plus it will also add caramelization that will improve the umami taste of the dish.

    Butter. Use butter in sauteing garlic and onion along with the shrimp and chili because although it has a low smoking point, it will still add a superior rich, nutty flavor. It can be replaced with vegetable oil or olive oil.

    Cooked Rice. Will it be really fried rice without cooked rice in it? Add cooked rice to complete this recipe. I used white rice in this recipe; however, if you like to use brown rice, that’s totally up to you.

    Jumbo Shrimp. Add jumbo shrimp to add more context to this recipe. It would be like eating extremely flavorful rice and well-seasoned shrimp in one!

    Eggs. Make sure to add eggs for an improved great flavor, texture, and protein.

    For the Sauce

    Fresh Basil. Now, it is a main ingredient and will add a slightly spicy, licorice-like flavor to your fried rice that will surely be a staple in your kitchen from now on.

    Fish Sauce. The fishiness of the sauce is unmistakable and pungent, but it is balanced off by other flavors, including a brininess, sweetness, and saltiness that are reminiscent of caramel. The presence of the fish sauce in this recipe will help give a vibrant taste to the shrimp!

    Oyster Sauce. Oyster sauce not only imparts a savory and tangy flavor to your fried rice, but it will also give color to the dish that will make it not appear bland.

    Honey. Your fried rice will have a more interesting flavor and a more subtle floral sweetness if you add honey to it.

    Soy sauce: Adds extra flavor, you can use dark or light soy sauce.

    Black Pepper. Use black pepper as an ingredient in this recipe to add flavor and spice.

    Thai Basil Fried Rice in a serving plate

    How To Make Thai Basil Fried Rice – Step By Step

    Step by step photo instructions collage for making the recipe

    One: In a small bowl, mix oyster sauce, fish sauce, soy sauce, honey and black pepper until combined.

    Step by step photo instructions collage for making the recipe

    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.

    Step by step photo instructions collage for making Thai Basil Fried Rice

    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!

    Top 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.
    • Combine the garlic and Thai chili in a mortar and pound it with the pestle. In this manner, the natural oil that is contained within the chili and garlic will be released, resulting in more aromatic fried rice.
    • You can make vegetarian Thai basil by simply skipping the shrimp and using a vegan fish sauce.

    Recipe Variations

    • Add more veggies to this recipe by including peas, sliced carrots, and zucchini!
    • You may always swap the jumbo shrimp with a protein of choice, such as sliced chicken fillet or steak.
    • You may use serrano pepper if you have no access to Thai chili. Both have almost the same level of heat and will work well in this recipe.
    • If you like spicy food, you may add some green chilies or half a teaspoon of Thai chili paste as well.
    • Substitute oyster sauce by adding more soy sauce or hoisin sauce.
    Thai Basil Fried Rice in a plate

    Serving Suggestions

    A very classic fried rice combination: top your fried rice with a sunny-side-up egg. This Thai Basil Fried Rice is already fully loaded with lots of ingredients, the egg topping will already be simple enough to finish off this dish.

    Hot and Sour soup is another Thai cuisine that will go well with your fried rice. It balances vinegar acidity and red pepper spice. Carrots add crispness, and tofu makes it smooth. These few ingredients produce a lovely soup and a great appetizer for fried rice.

    Storage

    It is always best to serve fried rice fresh from the skillet. But for some reason, if you still have leftovers, you may place them in an airtight container before refrigerating them for up to three days. Place in the microwave to reheat until piping hot.

    a spoonful of Thai Basil Fried Rice

    Recipe FAQs

    Can I use regular basil or Italian basil for this recipe?

    This recipe particularly calls for Thai Basil since it has the slightly spicy, licorice-like flavor that we want in our fried rice. Don’t worry, Thai Basil can easily be found in your local grocery at the Asian section or local Asian market. You can even buy it online too!

    Is this recipe suitable for the keto diet?

    Unfortunately, with the butter and the carbs in the cooked rice, this recipe is not a keto-friendly dish.

    What is the best type of rice to use in making this recipe?

    The best rice to use in making all Thai food is jasmine rice.

    Can I make this recipe in the instant pot?

    Yes, you can follow the exact instruction for using the instant pot and adjust the cooking time accordingly.

    Recipes you may like

    • Easy Lime Coconut Chicken
    • Pumpkin Custard
    • Cajun Fish Fry
    • Banana Pudding 
    • Caribbean Johnny Cakes
    • Quick Microwave Chocolate Cake Recipe
    • Easy Easter Nests Recipe
    • Easy Mango Syrup Recipe

    Follow Recipe Tale on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram to keep up-to-date with all new recipes.

    Recipe

    Thai Basil Fried Rice
    Print Pin
    5 from 3 votes

    Thai Basil Fried Rice

    This authentic Thai Basil Fried Rice recipe is a staple in many Asian cuisines and consists of cooked rice mixed with an egg and jumbo shrimp for more flavor! 
    Course Dinner
    Cuisine Asian, Thai
    Keyword Thai Basil Fried Rice
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 10 minutes
    Total Time 15 minutes
    Servings 8 Servings
    Calories 168kcal

    Equipment

    • Pot
    • Frying pan
    • Mixing bowl
    • Measuring cups
    • Measuring spoons
    • Garlic press

    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
    • bunch of 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!
      bunch of Thai basil

    Notes

    • 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.
    • Combine the garlic and Thai chili in a mortar and pound it with the pestle. In this manner, the natural oil that is contained within the chili and garlic will be released, resulting in more aromatic fried rice.
    • You can make vegetarian Thai basil by simply skipping the shrimp and using a vegan fish sauce.

    Variations

    • Add more veggies to this recipe by including peas, sliced carrots, and zucchini!
    • You may always swap the jumbo shrimp with a protein of choice, such as sliced chicken fillet or steak.
    • You may use serrano pepper if you have no access to Thai chili. Both have almost the same level of heat and will work well in this recipe.
    • If you like spicy food, you may add some green chilies or half a teaspoon of Thai chili paste as well.
    • Substitute oyster sauce by adding more soy sauce or hoisin sauce.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 168kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 111mg | Sodium: 748mg | Potassium: 142mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 243IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 1mg

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Greta

      November 28, 2022 at 11:38 am

      5 stars
      Easy to make; however, I replaced the shrimp with chopped chicken breasts.

      Reply
    2. Lydia

      November 28, 2022 at 11:43 am

      5 stars
      This is a time-saving recipe; thanks for sharing it.

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Recipe Tale Logo

    Hi, I'm Radwa! Welcome to my blog. I'm passionate about home-cooked food and developing easy recipes that anyone can make.

    More about me →

    Popular Recipes

    • Banana Pudding Tacos
    • Healthy Salmon Pasta Without Cream
    • Honey Butter Popcorn
    • Cajun Fish Fry

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Recipe Tale