Skillet Thai Basil Beef & Green Beans

If you’re craving big flavors but short on time, this Thai basil beef & green bean stir fry is the weeknight dinner you need. Made with ground beef instead of sliced steak, it comes together quickly with simple ingredients and is perfect over rice (or my husband's favorite...fat Udon noodles) for a satisfying meal.

Why You’ll Love This Dish

• Fast & Easy – Ready in about 20 minutes, making it a perfect busy-night recipe.
• Everyday Ingredients – Ground beef, green beans, garlic, and soy sauce—things you likely already have on hand.
• Bold Thai Flavors – Fresh basil, a little heat, and a touch of sweetness balance beautifully.
• Customizable – Adjust the spice level, swap the green beans for another veggie, or use ground chicken/turkey instead of beef.

SIMPLE INGREDIENTS & YOU CAN USE REGULAR BASIL IF YOU CAN'T LOCATE THAI BASIL

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Ground beef
• Green beans (fresh or frozen)
• Garlic (lots of it!)
• Soy sauce or coconut aminos
• Thai Chili sauce (that sticky sweet sauce we all love)
• Fresh basil (Thai basil if you can find it, regular basil works too)
• Cooked jasmine rice or Udon noodles, for serving

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I SAUTE THE VEGGIES BRIEFLY BEFORE REMOVING THEM FROM THE SKILLET & ADDING THE BEEF. THIS PROCESS KEEPS THEM CRISP & VIBRANT.

How to Make It

1. Cook the green beans – Quickly stir fry them in a hot pan until crisp-tender, then set aside.
2. Brown the beef – Add the ground beef and garlic, cooking until the meat is well-browned and slightly caramelized.
3. Build the sauce – Stir in soy sauce, chili sauce, garlic & ginger
4. Combine & finish – Return the green beans to the pan, toss everything together, and add the fresh basil just before serving so it stays fragrant.
5. Serve hot – Spoon over steamed jasmine rice or Udon noodles for a complete meal.

IN LITERALLY 20 MINUTES YOU HAVE A SPECTACULAR DINNER

Tips & Variations

• Make it lighter – Swap in ground chicken or turkey.
• Extra veggies – Snow peas, zucchini, or snap peas are great additions.
• More saucy – Add a splash of chicken broth or water if you like extra sauce to soak into the rice or mop up with the noodles.
• Meal prep friendly – The flavors get even better the next day!

This Thai basil beef & green bean stir fry proves that dinner doesn’t have to be complicated to taste amazing. With simple ingredients and bold flavors, it’s a dish you’ll want to add to your weekly rotation.

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Thai Basil Beef & Green Been Skillet Stir Fry

Serves 4

1 pound ground beef

5 cloves garlic, chopped

1 Tablespoon Freshly ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon Chinese 5 Spice (optional)

1/2 cup coconut aminos or soy sauce

1/2 cup Thai chili sauce

1 red or yellow bell pepper,  cut into strips

2 cups green beans

8 ounce package mushrooms, cleaned & sliced (optional)

1 cup Thai Basil (or regular basil), chopped

1/3 cup chopped cashews or peanuts

2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)

Rice or Asian noodles (Udon) for serving.




In a large skillet over medium heat, add the peppers, mushrooms & green beans.  Saute just until crisp tender then remove from the skillet and set aside.  You can do this in a dry skillet & no need to add oil at this point.  


Add in the ground beef and Chinese 5 spice and saute until completely cooked through.


Add in the garlic, ginger, coconut aminos and That chili sauce.  Stir until well combined.


Add the veggies back in and mix to combine.


Add in the cashews or peanuts and basil and toss.


Serve as desired with a sprinkling of sesame seeds & a garnish of more basil.