Thai Basil Fried Rice

Course: Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: Thai

Prep Time: 3

Cook Time: 9

Total Time: 12

Servings: servings

Calories: 216kcal

Author: Quynh Nguyen

Thai basil fried rice is a quick fried rice with shrimp, eggs, garlic, chilies, and fresh Thai basil tossed with cold rice and a savory soy and oyster sauce. It comes together in about 15 minutes for an easy weeknight dinner.

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Ingredients

3 cups cooked and cooled white rice
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, olive oil, avocado oil, or peanut oil
⅓ pound large prawns or shrimp, about 12-15
1 shallot or ½ onion, diced
2 green onions (scallions), thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1-2 Thai chili peppers, optional
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1½ tablespoons soy sauce
1½ tablespoons oyster sauce
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2-3 sprigs Thai basil

To Serve

Tomato wedges
Cucumber slices
Lime wedges

Instructions

Cook the shrimp: Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and cook on both sides for 1–2 minutes until fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
Sauté aromatics: Add a little more oil if needed, then stir in shallots, white part of green onions, garlic, and Thai chili. Cook until fragrant, about 1–2 minutes.
Add the eggs: Push the aromatics to one side of the pan. Pour in the beaten eggs and scramble just until set. Mix with the aromatics.
Add rice and seasonings: Stir in the cooked rice along with soy sauce, oyster sauce, salt, pepper, sugar, and sesame oil. Stir-fry until everything is evenly coated.
Add basil and shrimp: Return the shrimp to the pan and stir in Thai basil. Let the bottom crisp for 1–2 minutes, stir, and repeat if desired.
Serve: Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with extra basil, green onions, and a squeeze of lime. Serve hot with tomato and cucumber slices.

Notes

Use cold, day-old rice: It’s less sticky and crisps up better.
Don’t overcook the basil: Add it at the end so it stays fragrant and fresh.
Adjust spice to taste: Thai chilies are hot; use 1 or 2, or skip altogether.
Let it crisp: Letting the rice sit undisturbed for a couple of minutes gives it that restaurant-style texture.
No shrimp? Sub with chicken, tofu, or keep it veggie!

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