Thai Basil Beef

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp chili paste
• 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp fresh lime juice (from 1 lime)
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 lb ground beef (90/10)
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 medium sweet onion, thinly sliced
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves
• Rice, for serving
• Fresh cilantro, for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the chili paste, soy sauce, fish sauce, brown sugar, and lime juice until incorporated. Set aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is glistening, add the ground beef and cook, breaking the meat up with a wooden spoon, until browned, 8 to 10 minutes.
3. Add the bell pepper, onion, and garlic to the beef and cook until the vegetables start to soften, about 5 minutes.
4. Pour the sauce into the skillet. Add the fresh basil (reserving a few leaves for garnish) and continue to cook, stirring, until the basil starts to wilt, about 2 minutes.
5. Serve the beef and basil over rice, topped with the reserved basil leaves and cilantro, if using.