Keto Thai Basil Beef (Pad Krapao)
Pad Krapao is a Thai-cuisine classic: spicy ground meat with fresh Thai basil, ready in minutes in a single pan. The keto-friendly version skips the rice and lets cauliflower rice or pak choi do the work as a base. Each serving has just 4 g net carbs, 26 g fat, and 30 g protein. Ready in 15 minutes.
Key facts at a glance
- Prep time: approx. 15 minutes, one of the fastest keto dishes.
- Only approx. 4 g net carbs and 26 g fat per serving.
- Ingredients: ground beef, Thai basil, chilies, garlic, fish sauce, coconut aminos.
- Ideal for anyone who loves Asian food and wants it spicy, without a starchy side.
Ingredients
One serving is intended as a complete main meal. A fried egg on top is typical and recommended.
| Amount | Ingredient | Note | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ground beef | at least 20% fat | |||
| at least 20% fat | ||||
| garlic cloves | roughly chopped | |||
| roughly chopped | ||||
| fresh red chilies | 2–3 chilies, roughly chopped | |||
| 2–3 chilies, roughly chopped | ||||
| fish sauce | approx. 1 tbsp | |||
| approx. 1 tbsp | ||||
| coconut aminos | approx. 1 tbsp | |||
| approx. 1 tbsp | ||||
| sesame oil | approx. 1 tsp; toasted | |||
| approx. 1 tsp; toasted | ||||
| coconut oil or ghee | approx. 1 tbsp | |||
| approx. 1 tbsp | ||||
| red onion | cut into thin rings | |||
| cut into thin rings | ||||
| fresh Thai basil | leaves, roughly torn | |||
| leaves, roughly torn | ||||
| eggs | for fried eggs, optional | |||
| for fried eggs, optional | ||||
| pepper | to taste | |||
| to taste | ||||
How to make it
-
Sauté garlic and chilies
approx. 1 minute3 clove garlic cloves roughly chopped 40 g fresh red chilies 2–3 chilies, roughly chopped 15 ml coconut aminos approx. 1 tbsp 15 ml coconut oil or ghee approx. 1 tbsp Heat coconut oil (1 tbsp) in a pan or wok over the highest heat. Add garlic (3 cloves, roughly chopped) and chilies (2 to 3, roughly chopped) and sauté for 30 seconds.
-
Sear the ground beef
approx. 6 minutes300 g ground beef at least 20% fat 50 g red onion cut into thin rings Add the ground beef (300 g) and onion (50 g). Sear over high heat for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring sparingly so that browned bits develop.
-
Stir in the sauces
approx. 1 minute15 ml fish sauce approx. 1 tbsp 5 ml sesame oil approx. 1 tsp; toasted Stir in fish sauce (1 tbsp), coconut aminos (1 tbsp), and sesame oil (1 tsp). Reduce for 1 minute over high heat.
-
Stir in Thai basil and serve
approx. 3 minutes15 g fresh Thai basil leaves, roughly torn 2 piece eggs for fried eggs, optional Stir in the Thai basil (15 g) and immediately remove from the heat. Optionally fry 2 eggs separately and place on top.
You did it! Enjoy every delicious bite.
Which tips help with keto Pad Krapao?
- Get the pan or wok genuinely hot. The meat should sear, not steam.
- Stir in the Thai basil only at the end and serve immediately. It loses its aroma fast.
- Dose the fish sauce first: 1 tbsp is often enough. Less sauce, more concentrated flavor.
- For maximum heat: use chilies with the seeds in and halve them as well.
- Fry the egg separately rather than in with the meat.
Why Pad Krapao is keto-friendly
Traditional Pad Krapao is served with white jasmine rice, which adds roughly 40 to 50 g of carbs per serving. The keto version drops the rice entirely; the seasoned meat with sauce is flavorful enough on its own. Ground beef contains no carbs, and fish sauce and coconut aminos together contribute barely 1 to 2 g net carbs per serving. The only meaningful carbs come from a small amount of onion and chili. The result per serving: 26 g fat, 30 g protein, and 4 g net carbs, a perfect fit for a ketogenic daily plan.
Source: FDDB Nutrition Database
Fish sauce and coconut aminos: keto-compatible
Fish sauce contains almost no carbs (under 1 g per teaspoon) and is an intense umami carrier. Coconut aminos add about 1 g of carbs per teaspoon. Both are keto-compatible in small amounts. The key is to keep portions controlled and avoid regular teriyaki sauces, which often contain sugar.
Thai basil: don't swap it for regular basil
Thai basil has an anise-like, slightly peppery aroma that is clearly different from Italian basil. It is stirred in fresh and softens just enough in the residual heat. Regular basil loses its aroma faster and is not a full substitute. Fresh cilantro or mint come closer.
How to serve and vary Thai basil beef
From experience, a fried egg on top is not an optional extra; for many Thai families it is a must. The runny yolk merges with the spicy sauce and makes every bite creamier. Served over cauliflower rice, the dish is complete.
Storage and reheating
The meat keeps for 3 days in the fridge. Reheat briefly in a pan over medium heat, not in the microwave, or the sauce thins out. Basil darkens during storage, so it's best added fresh.
Chicken or pork variation
In Thailand, Pad Krapao is often made with finely chopped (not ground) chicken breast or ground pork. The keto numbers barely change. For more fat, higher-fat ground pork works better than chicken.
Nutrition values
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per serving | Keto context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | approx. 182 kcal | approx. 370 kcal | Filling main meal; a fried egg adds approx. 90 kcal. |
| Filling main meal; a fried egg adds approx. 90 kcal. | |||
| Fat | approx. 13 g | approx. 26 g | Good for keto; comes from ground beef and a bit of sesame oil. |
| Good for keto; comes from ground beef and a bit of sesame oil. | |||
| Net carbs | approx. 2 g | approx. 4 g | Very low, one of the lowest-carb keto meat dishes. |
| Very low, one of the lowest-carb keto meat dishes. | |||
| Sugar | approx. 0.8 g | approx. 1.5 g | Low; comes from fish sauce and coconut aminos. |
| Low; comes from fish sauce and coconut aminos. | |||
| Protein | approx. 14.7 g | approx. 30 g | High thanks to the ground beef; a fried egg adds another 6 g protein. |
| High thanks to the ground beef; a fried egg adds another 6 g protein. | |||
| Salt | approx. 0.9 g | approx. 1.8 g | Fish sauce is salty; no extra salt needed. |
| Fish sauce is salty; no extra salt needed. | |||
Note: Nutrition values are estimated averages per 100 g and per serving and may vary depending on ingredients, brands, portion size, and preparation. They do not replace individual nutrition or medical advice.
FAQ
Where can I find Thai basil?
Well-stocked Asian markets or larger supermarkets carry it (sometimes labeled 'Asian basil' in the herb section). You can also order it online as a plant. As a substitute, regular basil with a bit of mint works, but the character is different.
Can I substitute fish sauce with something else?
For vegetarians: coconut aminos plus a little miso paste (sparingly, because of the salt) delivers a similar umami effect. Fish sauce is hard to replace, though, if you want the authentic Thai aroma.
How spicy is the recipe?
The standard version is medium-spicy with 2 chilies. For milder: halve the chilies and remove the seeds. For hotter: use 3 to 4 Thai bird's eye chilies, which are significantly hotter than regular chilies.
Does this recipe work as a quick keto dinner?
Ideal. Ready in 15 minutes, one pan, almost no washing up. With a fried egg on top, it's fully satisfying without any side.