Thai Basil Fried Rice is an easy 20 mins dinner bowl. It is full of flavor from fresh basil leaves. Makes a quick weekday dinner option.
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If you have got an extra stash of Thai Basil leaves this is one of the best and most delicious ways to put them to use. Makes an easy weeknight dinner or a meal effortlessly.
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What is Thai Basil
Thai Basil is a native of the South East Asian Countries. It has a purple stem and thin dark green leaves with a strong fragrance. Basil is mainly used in Asian cuisines. It goes well in soups, rice, and many more.
Ingredients
Jasmine Rice - It is always used in Asian types of rice bowls.
Ginger, Garlic - Use finely sliced ginger and garlic, it gives a nice flavor when roasted in oil.
Onion - Use white or red onion and saute well.
Bell Pepper - Give a lovely pop of color and crunch to the rice. I am using red and yellow colored ones.
Thai Basil Leaves - Fresh basil leaves give the perfect fragrance for the dish.
Sauces - I am using a mix of soy sauce, sriracha sauce, and hoisin sauce.
Salt, Pepper - Use them as needed for the flavor.
Spring Onions - Always use them as a garnish for fried rice
FAQ's
What is the best rice to use for fried rice?
Cooked cold jasmine rice works well for Thai Basil Fried Rice.
How to make Thai Basil Fried Rice
Cook the Rice in Instant Pot
1.Wash the jasmine rice until they are clear and then add the rice to the Instant Pot. To this add in the measured water along with salt. Now close the Instant Pot. Move the pressure valve to the sealing position.
2. Set 3 mins in high pressure. Wait for 10 minutes, then do a quick pressure release and open the Instant Pot. Fluff the rice with a fork.
3. Jasmine rice is cooked perfectly. Remove the rice and spread it on a wide tray and freeze it for 10 mins.
Prepare Fried Rice.
1.Switch on the Instant Pot in saute mode now. In the inner pot add 2 tbsp of sesame oil. Wait for a min so that it gets hot. Now add in finely chopped ginger and garlic.
2. Cook for a min and then add in the chopped onions and bell pepper. Cook for 2 mins. Stir in between.
3. Now add ¾ cup of the basil leaves. You can also chop or tear roughly and add. Cook till the leaves wilt.
4. Next, move everything towards a side. and then
5. add the Soy Sauce, Sriracha sauce, and Hoisin sauce.
6. Combine everything together and cook for a min.
7. Then add the Salt and pepper powder. Combine everything.
8. Next, add the cooked jasmine rice. Gently toss the rice with the other ingredients. Switch off the Instant Pot
9. Garnish chopped spring onions and the remaining fresh basil leaves.
Instant Pot Thai basil fried rice is ready.
Stovetop Instructions.
If you do not have an Instant Pot, you can make Thai basil fried rice on the stovetop as well using the same recipe. Use a saucepan and to this add 3 cups of water. Add in salt and bring it to a boil.
Wash the Jasmine rice until clear and add to the saucepan after the water starts boiling.
Cook the rice for 4-5 mins or until they are cooked. Use a colander and drain the excess water. Spread the rice on a wide plate and let it cool down.
Heat another wok or pan and then you can follow the rest of the recipe.
Tips & Variations
- Never use hot rice for preparing fried rice. It might break as you mix it with the veggies and sauces.
- I always spread the cooked rice on a wide plate and cool down completely or refrigerate for 30 mins - 1 hr and then use.
- I prefer freezing them for 10 mins. So the rice gets ready quickly.
- Cold rice holds its shape and they are super easy to handle in fried rice.
- Day-old rice works still better. You can cook the rice the previous day and refrigerate it.
- Jasmine Rice works well for Thai fried rice. so I do not suggest replacing them.
- For more protein, you may use roasted tofu in the rice. If you are not a vegetarian you may also use Shrimp, Chicken.
- If using shrimp you may use them as a whole for chicken you may slice them into strips and use them.
- Marinate the shrimp or chicken with salt, pepper, paprika powder, ginger garlic paste, and pan fry until cooked.
Serving Suggestions
You can make Thai Basil fried rice as a meal easily along with some Asian style Tofu Broccoli Stir Fry. Or serve with some Spring rolls for a crunchy side.
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📖 Recipe
Thai Basil Fried Rice
Standard 1 cup measures 240 ml
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 1 cup Jasmine Rice
- 1 cup Water
- 2 tbsp Sesame Oil
- 4 Garlic
- ½ inch Ginger
- 1 Onion
- 1 cup Bell Pepper I used yellow and red
- 1 cup Thai Basil Leaves Loosely packed
- 2 tbsp Soy Sauce
- ½ tbsp Hoisin Sauce
- 1 tbsp Sriracha Sauce
- ¼ tsp Pepper Powder
- ¼ tsp Salt
Instructions
Cook Jasmin Rice
- Wash the jasmine rice until they are clear and then add the rice to the Instant Pot. To this add in the measured water along with salt. Now close the Instant Pot. Move the pressure valve to the sealing position.
- Set 3 mins in high pressure. Wait for 10 minutes, then do a quick pressure release and open the Instant Pot. Fluff the rice with a fork. Jasmine rice is cooked perfectly.
- Remove the rice and spread it on a wide tray and freeze it for 10 mins.
Prepare Fried Rice.
- Switch on the Instant Pot in saute mode now. In the inner pot add 2 tbsp of sesame oil. Wait for a min so that it gets hot. Now add in finely chopped ginger and garlic.
- Cook for a min and then add in the chopped onions and bell pepper. Cook for 2 mins. Stir in between.
- Now add ¾ cup of the basil leaves. You can also chop or tear roughly and add. Cook till the leaves wilt.
- Next, move everything towards a side and then add the Soy Sauce, Sriracha sauce, and Hoisin sauce.
- Combine everything together and cook for a min.
- Then add the Salt and pepper powder. Combine everything.
- Next, add the cooked jasmine rice. Gently toss the rice with the other ingredients.
- Now switch off the Instant Pot and then garnish chopped spring onions and the remaining fresh basil leaves. Instant Pot Thai basil fried rice is ready.
Stovetop Instructions
- If you do not have an Instant Pot, you can make Thai basil fried rice on the stovetop as well using the same recipe. Use a saucepan and to this add 3 cups of water. Add in salt and bring it to a boil.
- Wash the Jasmine rice until clear and add to the saucepan after the water starts boiling.
- Cook the rice for 4-5 mins or until they are cooked. Use a colander and drain the excess water. Spread the rice on a wide plate and let it cool down.
- Heat another wok or pan and then you can follow the rest of the recipe.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: I am not a nutritionist, the nutrition value provided here is an estimate. It will vary based on the quantity and brands of the products used.
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