This dish is the secret weapon when I want something bold, fast, and comforting with minimal effort. Pad Kra Pao is a classic Thai stir-fry that’s all about high-impact flavour: garlic, chilli, soy, and the fresh, peppery aroma of holy basil. We’ve adapted it here with halal ingredients and some vegetable substitutes, making it perfectly suited for weekly meal prep or a satisfying dinner. One pan, a few pantry staples, and boom 💥 you’ve got Thailand in a bowl.

If bold flavours are your love language, then Pad Kra Pao will win your heart. This Thai basil beef stir-fry brings the heat, the umami, and all the good vibes in under 20 minutes! Made with halal beef mince, plenty of garlic, chilli, and substituting the fragrant basil with classic spinach, this dish is my go-to when I want something fast, filling, and straight-up delicious. It’s my meal prep comfort food: just add a fried egg on top, and every packed lunch becomes a trip to Bangkok.

Disclaimer: The original owner of the recipe is Brian Lagerstrom on Youtube which I highly recommend checking out his channel! The recipe below is similar and which I have adapted to my tastebuds!

Ingredients (1 week’s worth for 1 pax)

• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• 400g ground beef
• 1 tablespoon garlic (I had bulk prep my garlic by grounding the cloves and froze it, see here!)
• 60g baby spinach
• 50g (2½T) oyster sauce
• 25g (1T) fish sauce
• 25g (1T) light soy sauce
• 50g (3T) beef or chicken stock (or water)
• 25g (2T) brown sugar
• Salt to taste

WATCH OUR MEAL PREP VIDEO HERE (45 secs to 1 minute 20 seconds for Beef Pad Kra Pao recipe):

Steps:

1. Add oil to pan over medium to high heat.
2. Add beef + pinch salt.
3. Cook until crumbled to pea size or until 75% of the beef mince juices evaporates .
4. Add garlic.
5. Stir 1 min till fragrant.
6. Add a splash of water.
7. Add spinach. Stir 1 min til spinach melts.
8. 6 Stir together oyster, fish, soy sauces, water, and brown sugar then add around pan edge. Simmer 30–60 sec to glaze.
9. Serve with rice & crispy fried egg. Storage: Allow it to cool fully before storing it in the fridge. It can last to maximum 7 days!

Fast, spicy, and packed with flavour, this halal Pad Kra Pao Beef is your passport to an easy weeknight dinner or a next-level meal prep bowl. Want more no-fuss halal recipes with a Southeast Asian twist? Hit follow on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube @thekollektif for bite-sized how-tos, travel food diaries, and foodie content.