When you think of Thai Cuisine, Pad Thai and green curry often come to mind but if you ask a local what their favorite dish is, they will more likely than not say Pad Kra Pao Moo or Thai Basil Minced Pork. This signature dish can be found in almost every restaurant across Thailand, as well as in Thai restaurants all over the world.
The key ingredients in this dish are chili, garlic, and Thai holy basil, which give it its spicy, flavorful, and delicious taste. To make the perfect Pad Kra Pao Moo, it's essential to use the right type of basil, which adds a spicy, peppery, and aromatic flavor to the dish. The traditional way to serve the dish is over steamed white rice and topped with a fried egg or Thai omelet.
Additionally, this recipe can be adapted to different types of protein such as chicken, seafood or if you are vegetarian, you can use tofu instead of meat and can be mixed with a combination of 4 sauces, oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, and dark soy sauce to make the color look more delicious.
It's quick, simple, easy and most importantly tasty and authentic. The key thing to note when making this recipe is to use Thai holy basil instead of the regular Thai basil leaves which are 2 different things.
What is Thai Holy Basil?
Thai basil comes in two varieties: sweet and Holy. Holy basil is typically used in Pad Kra Pao dishes due to its peppery flavor. It is distinguished by its jagged leaves and white flowers, as opposed to the smooth leaves and purple flowers of sweet Thai basil. If Holy basil is not available in the Asian markets near you, then you can use sweet Thai basil as a substitute. It will not taste the same but it will get you close to the authentic taste of Pad Kra Pao dish you find in Thailand.
To make this recipe, you are going to need:
- 250 g. minced pork
- 3 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce (optional)
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2-4 chilis
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 handful of Thai holy basil
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make Authentic Thai Holy Basil Pork with Rice (Pad Kra Pao Moo) Recipe
1 Gather all the necessary ingredients.
2 Place a wok or pan on medium-high heat. Once hot, add cooking oil, minced chili and garlic. Continuously stir the mixture until it emits a fragrant aroma.
3 Put the minced pork into the pan and keep stirring until it is fully cooked.
4 Stir the minced pork continuously, then add oyster sauce, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, fish sauce, and sugar.
5 Keep stirring until the pork is evenly coated with the sauce.
6 Sprinkle Thai holy basil leaves over the contents of the pan and continue to stir.
7 Stir for an additional minute to ensure the leaves are evenly distributed.
8 And that's it! Serve and enjoy.
Other Thai Recipes You Might Like
Here are some of my favorite Thai that I think you might like. For more Thai cuisine, check out my Thai recipe page.
Authentic Thai Holy Basil Pork with Rice (Pad Kra Pao Moo) Recipe
Are you looking for a Holy Basil Minced Pork with Rice (Pad Kra Pao Moo) recipe to satisfy your cravings for bold and flavorful Thai food? Look no further! Learn how to make this delicious and authentic Thai dish in your own home and experience the true taste of Thailand with our quick and easy recipe right here.
Ingredients
- 250 g. minced pork
- 3 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce (optional)
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2-4 chilis
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 handful of Thai holy basil
Directions
- Gather all the necessary ingredients.
- Place a wok or pan on medium-high heat. Once hot, add cooking oil, minced chili and garlic. Continuously stir the mixture until it emits a fragrant aroma.
- Put the minced pork into the pan and keep stirring until it is fully cooked.
- Stir the minced pork continuously, then add oyster sauce, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, fish sauce, and sugar.
- Keep stirring until the pork is evenly coated with the sauce.
- Sprinkle Thai holy basil leaves over the contents of the pan and continue to stir.
- Stir for an additional minute to ensure the leaves are evenly distributed.
- And that’s it! Serve and enjoy.
