Thai Pork, Basil and Green Bean Stir Fry

We were craving Thai takeout last week, and I was thisclose to picking up the phone for delivery when I realized I had everything at home to make one of our favourite dishes – garlicky-spicy minced pork, fresh basil and finely chopped green beans stir-fried with flat rice noodles.

The easy sauce is a savoury blend of soy sauce, fish sauce and a bit of brown sugar to balance the heat. I was really excited that the flavour was just right on the first try.

We like it pretty spicy, but I kept it at a medium level with the option to throw in some crushed red chiles toward the end so you can dial the heat up to your preference.

I love how just chopping green beans in a different way – thinly, crosswise – gives them a whole new identity. They are close in size to the bits of ground pork, and add a great texture without overwhelming the dish.

As a bonus, the whole meal came together faster than delivery would have taken. And making it in my own kitchen, I’m sure it was healthier (more green beans, less oil, a more moderate amount of noodles).

A yummy new stir-fry to add to our rotation! Have you discovered any great new weeknight meals lately?

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Thai pork, basil and green bean stir fry

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Servings 4

Dinner

Thai

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• ¼ cup finely chopped onion
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 2 thai bird chiles
• 1 lb lean ground pork
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• 9 oz green beans thinly sliced crosswise (yields about 2 cups)
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• 1 cup packed basil leaves thinly sliced
• crushed dried red chiles to taste (optional)
• Noodles or rice for serving

Instructions

 

• Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic and chilies; sauté until fragrant, about a minute. Add pork and salt; cook, breaking up with a spoon, until no longer pink inside and crisping at edges. Add green beans and cook, stirring frequently, until crisp-tender but still bright green, about 2 minutes.
• Meanwhile, whisk together soy sauce, fish sauce and brown sugar. Pour into pan and stir to coat pork and beans. Taste and add a pinch of crushed chiles if more heat is desired. Stir in basil leaves and serve with noodles or rice.

Last Updated on May 31, 2015 by Jennifer Pallian BSc, RD