Thai Basil Fried Rice (Easy and Flavorful)
This post may contain affiliate links.This Thai Basil Fried Rice is spicy, savory, and packed with the wonderful aroma of fresh basil. Made with tender pork, rice, and simple seasonings, it’s a quick and satisfying meal that’s even better with a crispy fried egg on top!
A Quick Look at the Recipe
🏷️ Recipe Name: Thai Basil Fried Rice
⏱️ Ready In: ~ 15 minutes
🍽️ Serves: 2 portions
🔥 Calories: 728 kcal per portion (estimate)
🧾 Main Ingredients: Leftover rice, pork slices, garlic, oyster sauce, fish sauce, soy sauce, chilis, Thai basil, pepper, mushroom powder.
🥗 Dietary Info: Contains meat.
🧠 Difficulty: Easy with simple step-by-step guide.
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If you love the wonderful aroma of Thai basil, you’ll enjoy this easy Thai Basil Fried Rice! This flavorful dish combines tender pork, rice, fresh basil, and simple seasonings for a delicious meal with a spicy kick. Serve it with a crispy fried egg and fresh cucumber slices for a satisfying lunch or dinner.
For more delicious Thai dishes featuring fragrant basil, try my Pad Kra Pao, a popular Thai basil pork stir-fry, or Pad Kee Mao (Thai Drunken Noodles), a spicy and aromatic stir-fried noodle dish.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Recipe Ingredients
Ingredient Notes
- Leftover Rice – Day-old rice works best for fried rice because it’s drier and less likely to become mushy when stir-fried.
- Pork Slices – Add a delicious savory flavor and tender texture. You can substitute chicken, beef, shrimp, or tofu.
- Thai Basil – The star ingredient that gives this fried rice its wonderful aroma and distinctive flavor. Thai sweet basil works well for this recipe.
- Fish Cake – Adds extra flavor and a pleasantly chewy texture. You can leave it out if you prefer.
How to Make Thai Basil Fried Rice
STEP 1. Heat some oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant and lightly golden (Image 1). Add the pork slices (Image 2) and stir-fry until they are cooked through. Add the sliced fish cake and stir-fry briefly (Image 3).
Add the leftover rice, followed by the oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, and chilies (Image 4). Stir-fry, breaking up any clumps of rice, until everything is well combined and the seasonings are evenly distributed.
STEP 2. Push the rice to one side of the pan and crack the egg into the empty space (Image 5). Let it cook briefly, then scramble the egg and mix it into the rice (Image 6).
Add the fresh Thai basil (Image 7) and continue stirring and folding until the leaves are just wilted. Turn off the heat and serve the fried rice hot, topped with a sunny-side-up egg and a few slices of fresh cucumber (Image 8).
Pro Tips
- Use day-old rice. Leftover rice is drier and firmer, making it perfect for fried rice. Break up any clumps before cooking to prevent the rice from becoming mushy.
- Don’t burn the garlic. Sauté the minced garlic until fragrant and lightly golden. Be careful not to burn it, as this can give the fried rice a bitter taste.
- Use medium-high heat. Stir-fry the rice over medium-high heat to prevent it from becoming soggy. Keep stirring to distribute the seasonings evenly.
- Cook the egg separately in the pan. Push the rice to one side before adding the egg. Let it set slightly before scrambling and mixing it into the rice.
- Add Thai basil at the end. Add the fresh basil just before turning off the heat. Stir-fry briefly until the leaves are wilted to preserve their wonderful aroma and flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this spicy Thai Basil Fried Rice with a sunny-side-up egg and a few slices of fresh cucumber. Pair it with a refreshing glass of Thai Tea or Lychee Tea to balance the spiciness.
For a complete meal, add Garlic Green Beans or Bok Choy Stir Fry for some veggies. You can also serve it with Asian Pickled Cucumber for a refreshing, tangy contrast, or enjoy it with crispy Fried Shrimp Balls or Fried Wontons on the side.
Thai Basil Fried Rice FAQs
Yes, you can substitute regular sweet basil if Thai basil is unavailable. However, Thai basil has a more distinctive, slightly peppery, anise-like aroma that gives this fried rice its characteristic flavor.
Thai basil has a slightly sweet, licorice-like aroma, while holy basil has a more peppery, spicy flavor. Both are commonly used in Thai cooking, but they give the dish different flavors.
Absolutely! You can substitute the pork with chicken, beef, shrimp, or tofu. Adjust the cooking time according to the protein you choose.
Yes, but day-old rice works best because it’s drier and less likely to become mushy. If using freshly cooked rice, spread it on a tray to release steam, then cool it quickly before stir-frying.
Simply reduce the amount of chilies or omit them altogether. You can also serve sliced fresh chilies on the side for those who prefer extra heat.
Storage and Reheating
Allow the leftover Thai Basil Fried Rice to cool quickly, then transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate promptly. For best food safety, enjoy it within 24 hours.
To Reheat: Stir-fry the rice in a pan with a little oil or reheat it in the microwave until steaming hot throughout. Stir occasionally to ensure it heats evenly, and reheat only once.
Love fried rice? Explore my Fried Rice Recipes collection for more delicious Asian-inspired fried rice dishes that are easy to make at home!
More Thai Recipes
- Chicken Pad Thai – Classic Thai stir-fried noodles with a delicious sweet and savory sauce.
- Pad See Ew – Tender wide rice noodles stir-fried in a flavorful savory sauce.
- Thai Green Curry – A creamy, aromatic coconut chicken curry packed with delicious Thai flavors.
- Mango Sticky Rice – A popular Thai dessert featuring sweet mango, sticky rice, and coconut milk.
Thai Basil Fried Rice
Equipment
- 1 wok
Ingredients
- 300 g rice leftover
- 80 g pork sliced
- 1 fish cake sliced
- 2 garlic minced
- 2 eggs one sunny side up, one scrambled
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp fish sauce
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- ½ tsp mushroom powder
- ¼ tsp pepper
- Thai basil
Instructions
- Heat some oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant and lightly golden (Image 1). Add the pork slices (Image 2) and stir-fry until they are cooked through. Add the sliced fish cake and stir-fry briefly (Image 3).
- Add the leftover rice, followed by the oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, and chilies (Image 4). Stir-fry, breaking up any clumps of rice, until everything is well combined and the seasonings are evenly distributed.
- Push the rice to one side of the pan and crack the egg into the empty space (Image 5). Let it cook briefly, then scramble the egg and mix it into the rice (Image 6).
- Add the fresh Thai basil (Image 7) and continue stirring and folding until the leaves are just wilted. Turn off the heat and serve the fried rice hot, topped with a sunny-side-up egg and a few slices of fresh cucumber (Image 8).
Notes
- Use day-old rice. Leftover rice is drier and firmer, making it perfect for fried rice. Break up any clumps before cooking to prevent the rice from becoming mushy.
- Don’t burn the garlic. Sauté the minced garlic until fragrant and lightly golden. Be careful not to burn it, as this can give the fried rice a bitter taste.
- Use medium-high heat. Stir-fry the rice over medium-high heat to prevent it from becoming soggy. Keep stirring to distribute the seasonings evenly.
- Cook the egg separately in the pan. Push the rice to one side before adding the egg. Let it set slightly before scrambling and mixing it into the rice.
- Add Thai basil at the end. Add the fresh basil just before turning off the heat. Stir-fry briefly until the leaves are wilted to preserve their wonderful aroma and flavor.
I love how simple this Thai Basil Fried Rice is to make, yet it turns out so savory and aromatic. It’s full of flavor without needing too many ingredients!