🌶🥩 Spicy Thai Beef with Jasmine Rice 🍚
📜 Ingredients (Serves 4)
For the Jasmine Rice:
2 cups 🥢 jasmine rice
3 cups 💧 water
½ tsp 🧂 salt
For the Spicy Thai Beef:
500 g 🥩 beef sirloin or flank steak (thinly sliced against the grain)
2 tbsp 🌽 cornstarch
3 tbsp 🛢 vegetable oil (divided)
1 medium 🧅 onion (sliced)
1 large 🌶 red chili (thinly sliced, adjust to spice level)
3 cloves 🧄 garlic (minced)
1 small 🫑 red bell pepper (sliced)
1 small 🫑 green bell pepper (sliced)
2 tbsp 🐟 fish sauce
2 tbsp 🍶 soy sauce
1 tbsp 🍯 brown sugar (or palm sugar for authentic flavor)
1 tbsp 🍋 lime juice
½ cup 🌿 fresh Thai basil leaves
Optional 🌶: extra bird’s eye chilies for intense heat
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Cook the Jasmine Rice
Rinse the jasmine rice under cold water until the water runs clear 💦.
In a pot, add rice, water, and salt. Bring to a boil 🔥.
Reduce heat to low, cover with a tight lid, and simmer for 12–15 minutes until fluffy 🍚.
Remove from heat and let it sit (covered) for 5 minutes before serving.
2️⃣ Prepare the Beef
Pat beef dry with paper towels. Toss with cornstarch to coat lightly—this helps lock in juiciness and gives a nice sear ✨.
Heat 2 tbsp oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat 🔥.
Sear beef in batches for 1–2 minutes until browned but not fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
3️⃣ Make the Spicy Sauce
In the same pan, add remaining oil. Stir-fry onion, chili, and garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant 🤤.
Add bell peppers and cook for another 2 minutes.
Stir in fish sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, and lime juice. Mix well so the sugar dissolves.
4️⃣ Combine & Finish
Return beef to the pan. Stir-fry for another 1–2 minutes until the beef is just cooked through and tender.
Toss in Thai basil leaves and cook for 30 seconds until wilted 🌿.
Taste and adjust—add more lime for tang, soy sauce for saltiness, or chili for heat.
5️⃣ Serve
Spoon fluffy jasmine rice into bowls 🍚.
Top generously with spicy Thai bee
Spicy Thai Beef with Jasmine Rice is a classic dish combining the aromatic flavors of Thailand with a perfect balance of heat and freshness. To enhance your cooking experience, it's important to choose high-quality ingredients, especially the beef and herbs. Opt for sirloin or flank steak sliced thinly against the grain to ensure tenderness. Using fresh Thai basil will add an authentic herbal note that can't be substituted. The jasmine rice used in this recipe is key—it's a fragrant long-grain rice that pairs beautifully with spicy dishes. Rinsing the rice under cold water removes excess starch, resulting in fluffy, separate grains after cooking. Simmering with a tight lid allows the rice to absorb the perfect amount of moisture without becoming soggy. The spicy sauce is created using traditional Thai flavor components: fish sauce, soy sauce, lime juice, and brown sugar. Fish sauce delivers a savory umami depth, soy sauce adds saltiness, lime juice contributes tanginess, and brown sugar balances with a hint of sweetness. Adjust the chili quantity to suit your spice tolerance, and consider adding bird’s eye chilies for an intense kick. Cornstarch coating on the beef helps seal in juices and creates a nice sear, enhancing texture. Cooking beef in batches prevents overcrowding, ensuring each piece sears properly rather than steams. This versatile dish can be served with additional fresh herbs like cilantro or accompanied by a cooling cucumber salad to counterbalance the heat. Leftovers reheat well, making it perfect for meal prep. Overall, this Spicy Thai Beef with Jasmine Rice recipe is a flavorful and authentic way to enjoy Thai cuisine at home. It delivers a satisfying combination of spicy, sweet, salty, and tangy elements that make Thai food beloved worldwide.
