This Thai Basil Lemongrass Pork Bowl is ready in 20 minutes! Exploding with bright and fresh flavours, the sweet and savoury Vietnamese rice bowl will have you going for seconds.
Looking for a super easy rice bowl that comes together in minutes? I use this recipe on busy weeknights or when I’m pressed for time. Plus, it’s tasty too! Stir fries are the best.
Looking for More Quick and Easy Recipes? Check These Out!
Table of Contents
- What is Thai Basil Lemongrass Pork Bowl?
- Here’s Why You Will Love Thai Basil Lemongrass Pork Bowl
- Equipment and Tools to Make Thai Basil Lemongrass Pork Bowl
- Ingredients
- Thai Basil Lemongrass Pork Bowl Options and Substitutions
- How to Make Thai Basil Lemongrass Pork Bowl
- Storage and Reheating Tips
- Make Ahead Options
- Recipe Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Hungry for More Vietnamese Recipes?
What is Thai Basil Lemongrass Pork Bowl?
This Thai basil lemongrass pork bowl is the best thing to make when you are busy and pressed for time. It comes together in just 20 minutes with minimal dishes to wash. The ground pork and red pepper is tossed with aromatics in a sweet and savoury Vietnamese inspired sauce. The Thai basil adds a nice freshness to the overall dish. Enjoy it over a steaming bowl of jasmine rice!
Here’s Why You Will Love Thai Basil Lemongrass Pork Bowl
- Versatile: You can substitute the ground pork with any protein of choice: chicken, beef, turkey, or even tofu.
- Customizable: You can make this spicy by adding chili peppers.
- Simple: You can make this recipe regardless of your cooking skill level. It’s very easy to make.
- Flavourful: There are so many aromatics like onion, garlic and lemongrass that makes this dish so tasty. The Thai basil and cilantro makes this fresh.
- Great weeknight dinner: This quick and easy recipe is great for the busy weeknights. I know I am always looking to cook up something quick and easy. Ready in 20 minutes!
- Minimal cleanup: Thai Basil Lemongrass Pork Bowl is made in one pan so there are less dishes to clean! Sit back and enjoy your meal.
Equipment and Tools to Make Thai Basil Lemongrass Pork Bowl
Cutting board and knife
Pan
Measuring spoons and cups
Ingredients
Ground pork: I use lean ground pork.
Lemongrass, onion, garlic: These aromatics make the dish so tasty.
Brown sugar, fish sauce, dark soy sauce: The pork bubbles away in this simple yet delicious sauce.
Red pepper: Adds a pop of colour.
Thai basil and cilantro: My two favourite herbs that bring freshness to this dish.
Salt and pepper: To taste
Rice, cucumber and pickled carrots: To serve
Thai Basil Lemongrass Pork Bowl Options and Substitutions
- You can use a different type of protein with this rice bowl such as chicken, beef, turkey, and tofu.
- Make it spicy! Instead of a red pepper, use a chili pepper.
- Purple or white onions and shallots can be used in lieu of a yellow onion.
- Yellow or orange peppers can be substituted.
- Use other vegetables if you aren’t a fan of peppers. Matchstick carrots, sugar snap peas, sliced zucchini, spinach or even peas are all great options.
- If you are not a fan of cilantro, top the dish with green onions instead.
How to Make Thai Basil Lemongrass Pork Bowl
Let’s make this dish! I highly recommend cooking your rice first as this dish comes together so quickly.
Prepare the aromatics. Start by cutting the pepper, garlic, lemon grass and onions. Remove Thai basil leaves from stem and wash thoroughly.
Saute the aromatics. In a large pan, add 1 tbsp of neutral oil over medium to high heat. Saute onions first until softened. Then add lemongrass and garlic and cook for another minute or two. Move all the ingredients to the edge of the pan.
Cook the pork. Break up the ground pork in the pan and stir fry for about 3-4 minutes until almost cooked. Mix in the sugar, fish sauce and dark soy sauce. Add red pepper and simmer for 2-3 minutes or until the liquid is almost cooked off. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Add herbs. Put a handful of Thai basil and cook until just wilted.
Assemble the dish. Serve with a steaming bowl of rice. Garnish with fresh cilantro. Optional, I serve mine with sliced cucumbers and pickled carrots (follow the pickling instructions here).
Storage and Reheating Tips
Refrigerate leftovers in an air tight container for up to three days. Reheat in the microwave. I do not recommend freezing the leftovers.
Make Ahead Options
This recipe comes together so quickly that you don’t need to make this ahead of time. You can always prepare the fresh ingredients by chopping them if you want.
Recipe Tips
Chop and measure all your ingredients before you start cooking. The cooking process is fast! You don’t want to risk burning or overcooking.
Be sure to peel the outer layers of the lemongrass and use only the pale white parts. The outer layers are tough and chewy. Finely mince the lemongrass so you don’t end up with any hard parts in the mouth!
Use lean ground pork so that you don’t need to drain additional fat.
Serve this Thai basil lemongrass pork with a steaming bowl of rice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Thai Basil Lemongrass Pork Bowl taste like? The sauce is sweet and savoury thanks to the brown sugar and fish sauce. Lemongrass is a herb with a lemony scent. Thai basil is a slightly spicy and licorice tasting herb. All these combined makes this pork bowl so flavourful!
What goes well with Thai Basil Lemongrass Pork Bowl? I serve mine over a steaming bowl of jasmine rice, sliced cucumbers and shredded pickled carrots. You can also eat this as a lettuce wrap or even with rice vermicelli noodles.
Is Thai Basil Lemongrass Pork Bowl healthy? It is better if you can buy lean ground pork. Ground pork is a versatile meat lower in calories and high in protein.
Can I use different vegetables instead of a red pepper? Yes! You can use a different colour of pepper, like green, yellow, orange or a combination of different peppers!. If you aren’t a fan of bell peppers, use matchstick carrots, sugar snap peas, sliced zucchini, spinach or even peas.
Hungry for More Vietnamese Recipes?
Lastly, if you make my Thai Basil Lemongrass Pork Bowl be sure to leave a comment or give this recipe a star rating! I love to hear from you guys and respond to each and every comment. Also, don’t forget to tag me @cookwith.chopsticks and #cookwithchopsticks on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you have made makes me sooooo happy! You can also follow along on TikTok, Facebook and Pinterest.
Thai Basil Lemongrass Rice Bowl
Equipment
- Pan
- Cutting board
- Measuring spoons
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground pork lean
- 1 tbsp oil
- ½ stalk lemongrass outer leaves removed
- 1 small onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp brown sugar lightly packed
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tsp dark soy sauce
- 1 red pepper chopped
- 1 cup Thai basil
- salt and pepper to taste
- cilantro chopped, optional, to serve
- cooked rice
Instructions
- Prepare the aromatics. Start by cutting the pepper, garlic, lemon grass and onions. Remove Thai basil leaves from stem and wash thoroughly.
- Saute the aromatics. In a large pan, add 1 tbsp of neutral oil over medium to high heat. Saute onions until softened. Then, add lemongrass and garlic. Cook for another minute or two. Move all the ingredients to the edge of the pan.
- Cook the pork. Break up the ground pork in the pan and stir fry for about 3-4 minutes until almost cooked. Mix in the sugar, fish sauce and dark soy sauce. Add red pepper and simmer for 2-3 minutes or until the liquid is almost cooked off. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add herbs. Put in the Thai basil and cook until just wilted. Remove from heat.
- Assemble the dish. Serve with a steaming bowl of rice. Garnish with fresh cilantro. Optional, I serve mine with sliced cucumbers and pickled carrots (follow the pickling instructions here).
I could eat this every night forever. So yummy! So light. The perfect summer meal.
It’s such a quick and easy meal. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
As someone who often struggles to find the right balance between taste and convenience for office lunches, this website has been a game-changer. I’ve tried several recipes that are not only delicious but also practical for taking to the office. The ingredients are readily available, and the preparation time is minimal, making it hassle-free for busy weekdays. My colleagues have even asked for the recipes after being tantalized by the aromas during lunch breaks!
Thank you Manlong! I make extras and bring it to work too. So great with rice and a wonderful meal for any weekday!
For this recipe, I planted four Thai Basil on my balcony, Love this one so much 😍
Wow! I wish Thai basil could be grown where I live. It’s such a wonderful herb for this dish.