Yummy, yummy! This Whole30 Thai Basil Beef is my favorite meal I’ve eaten thus far during my current January Whole30 challenge. PACKED full of flavor, filling, and oh-so comforting. I want to make this again TOMORROW.
If you are a Thai food lover like me and love big, bold flavors… this Whole30 Thai Basil Beef is for you! Plus, it’s SO easy to make!! Enjoy!
Whole30 Thai Basil Beef
2018-01-12 14:48:01
Serves 3
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
20 min
Total Time
35 min
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs. flank steak
- 2 tbsp. + 1 tsp. avocado or olive oil
- 2 tsp. arrowroot
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 white onion, very thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, seeds/core removed and very thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-2 thai chiles, very thinly sliced (or sub for 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes)
- 1/4 cup coconut aminos (I prefer Big Tree Farms)
- 1 tbsp. red boat fish sauce
- 1 cup thai or regular basil, packed
- cilantro, for serving
Instructions
- Using a meat mallet or the bottom of a skillet, pound out the flank steak to help tenderize and thin it out a bit (optional). I like to try and get mine 1/2 inch thick.
- Using a very sharp knife, carefully slice the meat against the grain as thinly as possible. For the really long strips of meat, cut them in half lengthwise to make them a bit more bite sized.
- Place sliced steak in a bowl + season with kosher salt and pepper, to taste. Add 1 tsp. oil and 2 tsp. of arrowroot. Toss to coat evenly.
- Heat a skillet over high heat. Add 2 tbsp. oil and when hot, sear the meat on both sides until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side. Be careful not to overcrowd you pan. You want each piece to get a good sear for the best results. I do mine in batches until all browned. As they are done, set the browned pieces aside on a plate.
- In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium. Add the onions, garlic, bell peppers, and thai chiles and season with a little salt and pepper. Saute until the onions are very tender, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the Beef back into the skillet.
- Add the coconut aminos and the fish sauce. Let simmer until the sauce reduces and thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the basil. Remove from heat and toss the basil into the hot stir fry until just wilted.
- Serve immediately with cauliflower rice (optional) and garnish with cilantro (if desired).
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38 Comments
Ash E. Hans
February 15, 2023 at 3:01 amHey this recipe was fantastic! I used vegan fish sauce ( got it on Amazon) because I’m not a fan of real fish sauce but it was positively amazingly authentic!
I also used shirataki fettuccine as a low carb “ Drunken Noodle “base for the Thai basil beef .
Thank you so much. I only wish that some restaurants would get a clue so I could order this for some cleaner, guiltless Thai takeaway!
Jodi Ladetzky
February 10, 2023 at 1:27 amLove this recipe, it’s a favorite! Bravo! Have you ever made this with ground beef?
Alex
February 10, 2023 at 6:34 pmhi!! yes it’s still delicious with ground beef!!!
Ashley
August 1, 2021 at 2:44 amHands down one of my all time favorites. Picky eater boyfriend begs for it.
This is worth the effort! I’ve subbed Serrano chili when I couldn’t get Thai chili.
Claire
March 8, 2021 at 1:35 amThis recipe is 10/10 AMAZING!!!! I made it for my husband and my parents and they absolutely loved it. I wouldn’t change a thing…BRAVO ALEX!!!
Kyle
February 8, 2021 at 11:50 pmI made this recipe and loved it! It’s as easy as the video shows! I searched high and low for Red Boat Fish Sauce, and I’m not sure I loved that flavor. I’m going to attempt this dish tonight with chicken and without RBFS. Wish me luck!
Sarah
January 28, 2021 at 1:18 pmHow many calories is this per person? Thank you 🙂
Alex
January 28, 2021 at 2:23 pmI do not calculate the calories for my dishes but someone else may have who can share here!
Anna
January 31, 2021 at 12:22 amAbout 415 calories per serving!
Sarah
February 16, 2021 at 8:49 pmThank you 🙂
Amy Golden
December 8, 2020 at 2:36 amThis was so good! My daughter has a new corn allergy so I have searched a lot of whole30 recipes because they are easy to adapt. All of my kids loved this and it was super easy. I was afraid to cook a Thai recipe but it was a hit in our house!!
Peter Trussell
August 31, 2021 at 5:03 pmWhen slicing meat thin, it can help to put it in the freezer for about 15 minutes to firm it up. Recipe is very good, great with the riced cauliflower.
Stefanie
February 4, 2018 at 11:30 pmThis is fantastic! I made it with venison…winner winner! I substituted 1/3 sheet of nori in place of the fish sauce to accommodate my food sensitivity and it still tastes great.
Katerina Leeger
February 4, 2018 at 5:07 pmThis recipe is my everything! All my favorite flavors and favorite cut of meat. I always double the recipe to have leftovers for lunch, even better the next day. We are making it again tonight but this time I will be adding some coarsely chopped green onions with the other veggies. I love the texture of green onions sautéed at high temp. Thanks for this recipe! I am not a fan of cauliflower rice so we will have it with a simple green salad and whole30 dressing. Scrumptious!
Christina
January 30, 2018 at 4:54 pmMade it Sunday for my weeknight dinners. It’s SO good. Adding broccolini makes it even better. Great start to my Feb Whole 30! Thanks!
Leslie
May 24, 2022 at 1:58 amI made this using chicken thighs instead of beef and it came out very delicious! Maybe even better than a thai restaurant! And it was so easy (after slicing and dicing everything). Thank you for a great recipe!
Meredith
January 30, 2018 at 3:15 pmHi Alex, love your recipes! Question: I am going to slice the meat this morning (so I am ready for dinner later tonight), should I put the marinade on it and put it in the fridge? Or hold off on the marinade until later tonight. Thank you again for being such an inspiration! My boyfriend thinks I am a great cook because of you!
Alex
January 30, 2018 at 4:15 pmI’d just salt and pepper it, that’s all! 🙂
sarah
January 29, 2018 at 4:17 amthis was delicious! my husband loved it as well. we aren’t doing w30 so used soy sauce, corn starch and brown rice as subs. will definitely make this again!!
Caitlyn
January 26, 2018 at 11:54 amCan’t wait to make this – it’s on our meal plan for Sunday! Quick question though…my last whole 30 round I was struggling and got feedback that I didn’t have enough fat in my meals. Would this meal need a healthy fat addition somewhere!? I’m lost, but LOVE your recipes and would be so appreciative of some guidance 🙂
Alex
January 26, 2018 at 12:58 pmThe oil it cooks in is a great healthy fat but, if you find yourself needing more you can maybe slice up an avocado with it or something!
Caitlyn
January 30, 2018 at 11:04 amThank you! This was AH-MAZING! We’ve been turning friends on to your recipes left and right and are so excited to try more!!
Alex
January 30, 2018 at 4:16 pmThank you so much!!!
Susan
January 25, 2018 at 2:17 pmThis was so good and easy. My bf and I loved it. Will make it again. Thank you!
Margaret
January 24, 2018 at 3:40 pmI made this dish last night, and it was so delicious! Best thing I have made so far since starting my Whole30.
Alex
January 25, 2018 at 1:34 pmFantastic!! I am so happy to hear that! 🙂
Jennifer
January 23, 2018 at 5:46 pmSoooooo good. Made this last night and it was a crowd pleaser.
Alex
January 23, 2018 at 8:38 pmGreat!!! i am so glad to hear that.
Chelsea
January 20, 2018 at 11:20 pmThis looks SOOOO good! Thanks for the recipe!
The Weekender 1/20 - Oats & Rows
January 20, 2018 at 5:12 pm[…] Cilantro Cream via Seven Layer Charlotte Healthier Monster Cookies (GF) via Fit Mitten Kitchen Thai Basil Beef (Whole30) via The Defined Dish Pistachio Meyer Lemon Bars via Hungry Girl Por Vida Roasted Cauliflower Kale […]
Kyla
January 19, 2018 at 10:39 pmUmmm, filing into my “go-to favorites” recipes-so good!!
Alex
January 21, 2018 at 11:03 pmI am so glad you loved it!
Bonnie
January 18, 2018 at 9:28 pmAmazingly Delicious!!!
Alex
January 18, 2018 at 10:35 pmYAY!
Emy
January 18, 2018 at 6:47 pmDelicious! Doubled the recipe to take for work lunches this week. Added chopped broccoli florets for a little extra filler. Used four chiles and got a “Woo brother” text from my fiance. Rave reveiws, will be making this again for our upcoming W30 round!
Alex
January 18, 2018 at 7:39 pmhaha love it!! and yes, 4 chiles is HOT girl. woooo brother is right haha 😉
Jennifer
January 17, 2018 at 1:17 amI know it’s probably a no-no to ask… But if I am not Whole 30 what do I use in place of the arrowroot (cornstarch?) & coconut aminos?
Alex
January 18, 2018 at 7:38 pmThat’s a just fine question to ask 😉 yes. Cornstarch in sub for the arrowroot, and soy sauce in sub for the coconut aminos