Description
A flavorful and easy Crockpot Thai Basil Beef recipe featuring ground beef simmered with aromatic garlic, ginger, Chinese 5 spice, and Thai chili sauce. Tossed with red bell peppers, broccoli, fresh cilantro, and Thai basil, this dish offers a vibrant, spicy, and aromatic meal served over steamed rice with crunchy peanuts and toasted sesame seeds for texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Sauce
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef (or chicken or pork)
- black pepper to taste
- 6 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon Chinese 5 Spice
- 1/2 cup tamari or soy sauce
- 1/2 cup Thai chili sauce (see notes for homemade version)
Vegetables and Herbs
- 2 red bell peppers, sliced
- 2 cups chopped broccoli
- 1 cup cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 cup Thai basil, chopped
Serving
- 3–4 cups steamed rice
- 1/3 cup chopped roasted peanuts
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the Crockpot and Meat: Set your crockpot to high. Add the raw ground beef and break it up with a fork inside the pot. Add the chopped garlic, ground ginger, Chinese 5 spice, tamari or soy sauce, Thai chili sauce, and season with black pepper. Stir well, continuing to break up the meat evenly throughout the mixture. Then add the sliced red bell peppers on top. Cover the crockpot.
- Cook the Beef Mixture: Cook on low heat for 4-6 hours or on high heat for 2-3 hours. This slow cooking allows the flavors to meld and the meat to become tender.
- Add Vegetables and Herbs: About 20 minutes before the dish is done, increase the crockpot heat to high. Stir in the chopped broccoli, cilantro, and Thai basil. Continue cooking until the sauce thickens slightly and the broccoli is steamed but still vibrant.
- Serve the Dish: Divide the steamed rice evenly among serving bowls. Sprinkle each portion with toasted sesame seeds. Spoon the Thai basil beef and sauce over the rice. Garnish with chopped roasted peanuts and additional fresh basil if desired for extra flavor and crunch.
Notes
- Homemade Thai chili sauce can be made by blending red chilies, garlic, vinegar, sugar, and a pinch of salt for a fresher flavor.
- You can substitute ground beef with ground chicken or pork depending on your preference.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, add more Thai chili sauce or fresh chopped chilies.
- Serve with steamed jasmine rice for authentic Thai flavor.
- For a gluten-free option, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
- Adjust cooking times based on your crockpot model as some cook hotter or slower.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2-6 hours (depending on crockpot setting)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Thai
Keywords: Crockpot Thai Basil Beef, slow cooker Thai recipe, easy Thai beef, Thai basil recipe, ground beef crockpot recipe, spicy Thai beef, crockpot dinner
