Looking for a quick, delicious, and healthy weeknight dinner? Forget ground beef for a night and try this incredible Thai Basil Ground Pork recipe! Featuring the savory richness of ground pork paired with aromatic fresh basil and cilantro, served up in crisp lettuce cups, this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and a staple in our own kitchen.
This recipe is simple to make and is a fantastic way to incorporate the unique flavor of quality ground pork. It's truly an exceptional alternative to traditional laab or ground meat stir-fries.
📝 Recipe Overview
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Prep Time: Approx. 10 minutes
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Cook Time: Approx. 10-15 minutes
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Total Time: Under 30 minutes
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Cuisine: Thai-Inspired / Asian Fusion
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Serving Method: Lettuce Boats/Wraps
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Key Ingredients: Ground Pork, Red Onion, Basil, Cilantro, Teriyaki-style Sauce
🛒 Ingredients
For the Pork Filling:
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1 lb Ground Pork (We recommend using high-quality ground pork like Salmon Creek Farms, as seen in the video, for best flavor)
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1/2 large Red Onion, thinly sliced
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1 Jalapeño or Green Pepper (sliced or diced, based on desired spice level)
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A generous handful of Fresh Basil (Thai basil is preferred, but sweet basil works)
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A generous handful of Fresh Cilantro (plus extra for garnish)
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1/4 cup Rich Teriyaki-Style Sauce or an enhanced sauce of Soy Sauce, Fish Sauce, and a touch of brown sugar (see Chef's Notes for a simple sauce idea)
For Serving:
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Butter Lettuce or Bibb Lettuce leaves (washed and dried, for "boats")
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White Rice or Sticky Rice (optional, for a complete meal)
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Lime Wedges (optional, for a fresh squeeze of acidity)
👩🍳 Instructions: How to Make Thai Basil Ground Pork
1. Prep the Ingredients
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Thinly slice the red onion.
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Slice the green pepper/jalapeño.
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Roughly chop the fresh basil and cilantro.
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If making your own sauce, mix the ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
2. Sear the Ground Pork
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Add the ground pork to a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
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Sear and cook the pork, breaking it up with a spatula, until it is mostly browned and cooked through.
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Pro Tip: The chef suggests cooking the pork, taking it out, and then adding the vegetables—this prevents the vegetables from overcooking while the pork browns.
3. Sauté Vegetables & Combine
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If you removed the pork, quickly add the sliced red onion and green pepper to the pan and sauté until slightly softened.
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Return the cooked pork to the pan. (If cooking continuously, simply add the onions and peppers to the browned pork and stir to combine.)
4. Add Sauce and Herbs
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Pour the Teriyaki-Style Sauce over the pork and vegetable mixture. Stir well to coat all the meat and allow the sauce to reduce slightly.
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Stir in the fresh Basil and Cilantro. Cook for just 30 seconds to 1 minute until the herbs wilt slightly and release their fragrant oils.
5. Assemble and Serve
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Spoon the hot, flavorful Thai Basil Ground Pork mixture into the crisp lettuce cups.
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Serve immediately with optional sides like sticky rice and lime wedges for an extra burst of fresh flavor.
💡 Chef's Notes & Variations
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Pork is the Star: The chef highlights that ground pork is a delicious and highly recommended alternative to ground beef, offering a unique richness.
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Serving Suggestions: While the lettuce boats are highly recommended ("the best!"), the dish can also be served over white rice or sticky rice for a heartier meal.
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Simple Sauce Idea: To create a quick "enriched Teriyaki-style sauce" similar to what's described, try mixing equal parts soy sauce and fish sauce, a dash of honey or brown sugar, and a splash of lime juice.
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Spice Level: Adjust the amount of jalapeño or green pepper (or add chili flakes/sriracha) to control the heat.