{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Recipe","url":"https://trevorfarias.com/recipes/meat-and-rice","markdownUrl":"https://trevorfarias.com/recipes/meat-and-rice/recipe.md","name":"Easy Meat and Rice Recipe (Thai Basil Ground Pork, 20 Minutes)","description":"An easy meat and rice dinner: savory Thai basil ground pork (pad kra pao) stir-fried with garlic, chilies and a quick soy-oyster sauce, served over jasmine rice with a crispy fried egg. 20 minutes, one pan.","summary":"The easiest flavorful meat and rice dinner is Thai basil pork, or pad kra pao. Stir-fry garlic and chilies in a hot pan, add ground pork and cook until browned and slightly crisp, then season with oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce and a little sugar. Toss in a big handful of fresh basil until just wilted and spoon it over hot jasmine rice, traditionally with a crispy-edged fried egg on top. It takes about 20 minutes.","author":"Trevor Farias","publisher":"Trevor's Kitchen","datePublished":"2026-09-13","dateModified":"2026-09-13","category":"Dinner","cuisine":"Thai","keywords":["meat and rice recipe","easy meat and rice","ground pork and rice","thai basil pork","pad kra pao","ground meat rice bowl","quick weeknight dinner","pork stir fry with basil","ground beef and rice"],"prepTime":"PT10M","cookTime":"PT10M","totalTime":"PT20M","yield":"4 servings","servings":4,"ingredientGroups":[{"name":"For the sauce","ingredients":[{"amount":"2","unit":"tablespoons","name":"oyster sauce","text":"2 tablespoons oyster sauce"},{"amount":"1","unit":"tablespoon","name":"soy sauce","text":"1 tablespoon soy sauce"},{"amount":"2","unit":"teaspoons","name":"fish sauce","text":"2 teaspoons fish sauce"},{"amount":"1","unit":"teaspoon","name":"dark soy sauce","note":"optional, for color","text":"1 teaspoon dark soy sauce, optional, for color"},{"amount":"2","unit":"teaspoons","name":"granulated or brown sugar","text":"2 teaspoons granulated or brown sugar"},{"amount":"2","unit":"tablespoons","name":"water","text":"2 tablespoons water"}]},{"name":"For the stir-fry","ingredients":[{"amount":"2","unit":"tablespoons","name":"vegetable oil","text":"2 tablespoons vegetable oil"},{"amount":"6","name":"garlic cloves","note":"minced","text":"6 garlic cloves, minced"},{"amount":"2 to 4","name":"Thai bird's eye chilies","note":"sliced, or 1 jalapeño","text":"2 to 4 Thai bird's eye chilies, sliced, or 1 jalapeño"},{"amount":"1","name":"small shallot","note":"thinly sliced, optional","text":"1 small shallot, thinly sliced, optional"},{"amount":"1","unit":"pound","name":"ground pork","note":"450 g","text":"1 pound ground pork, 450 g"},{"amount":"2","unit":"cups","name":"loosely packed holy basil or Thai basil leaves","text":"2 cups loosely packed holy basil or Thai basil leaves"}]},{"name":"For serving","ingredients":[{"amount":"4","unit":"cups","name":"hot cooked jasmine rice","note":"from about 1 1/2 cups uncooked","text":"4 cups hot cooked jasmine rice, from about 1 1/2 cups uncooked"},{"amount":"4","name":"fried eggs","note":"optional","text":"4 fried eggs, optional"},{"name":"Cucumber slices and lime wedges","text":"Cucumber slices and lime wedges"}]}],"steps":[{"step":1,"name":"Cook the rice","text":"Start the jasmine rice first so it is hot when the stir-fry is done.","tip":null},{"step":2,"name":"Mix the sauce","text":"In a small bowl, stir together the oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, dark soy sauce, sugar and water until the sugar dissolves.","tip":null},{"step":3,"name":"Fry the aromatics","text":"Heat the oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat. Add the garlic, chilies and shallot and stir-fry for 20 to 30 seconds, just until fragrant and not browned.","tip":null},{"step":4,"name":"Brown the pork","text":"Add the pork and break it into small pieces. Let it cook undisturbed for 1 to 2 minutes to brown, then stir and continue cooking until no pink remains and some bits are crisp, 4 to 5 minutes total.","tip":"Keep the heat high. If the pork releases a lot of liquid, keep cooking until it evaporates and the meat starts to sizzle again."},{"step":5,"name":"Add the sauce","text":"Pour the sauce over the pork and toss for 1 minute until glossy and mostly absorbed.","tip":null},{"step":6,"name":"Add the basil","text":"Turn off the heat, add the basil and toss just until wilted, about 15 seconds.","tip":null},{"step":7,"name":"Serve","text":"Spoon over hot jasmine rice and top each plate with a fried egg, if using. Serve with cucumber slices and lime wedges.","tip":null}],"equipment":["Large skillet or wok","Rice cooker or saucepan","Small mixing bowl"],"notes":["Have every ingredient ready before you start; the cooking goes fast.","Use high heat so the pork browns instead of steaming.","Add the basil off the heat so it stays fragrant."],"storage":["Refrigerate the pork and rice separately for up to 4 days. Reheat in a skillet or microwave.","The basil darkens when stored, but the flavor is still good. Add a few fresh leaves when reheating."],"variations":["Beef and rice: use ground beef and add 1 teaspoon more soy sauce.","Chicken basil (pad kra pao gai): use ground or finely chopped chicken thighs.","Add vegetables: stir-fry 1 cup of sliced green beans or bell pepper with the aromatics.","Lettuce wraps: serve the pork in butter lettuce cups instead of over rice."],"faqs":[{"question":"What kind of meat is best with rice?","answer":"For a quick dinner, ground pork, chicken or beef all cook in minutes and soak up sauce well. Ground pork is traditional in Thai basil stir-fry and has the richest flavor."},{"question":"Is Thai basil pork spicy?","answer":"It can be very spicy in Thailand. This recipe lets you control it: one chili is mild, four is hot. Remove the seeds to reduce heat further."},{"question":"Can I use regular basil?","answer":"Yes. Italian basil has a sweeter, less peppery flavor than holy or Thai basil, but the dish is still delicious. Use a generous handful."},{"question":"What rice goes best with this?","answer":"Jasmine rice is traditional. Its soft, fragrant grains soak up the sauce. Brown rice or cauliflower rice work if you prefer."}],"nutritionPerServing":{"calories":610,"fatGrams":30,"saturatedFatGrams":9,"carbohydrateGrams":52,"fiberGrams":1,"sugarGrams":4,"proteinGrams":30,"sodiumMilligrams":980,"cholesterolMilligrams":265}}