This Thai Basil Shrimp stir fry (Pad Krapow Kung) is a 30-minute meal full of flavor and perfect for busy weeknights.
One of my favorite things about my recent trip to Thailand was, of course, the amazing Thai food. I had the best Pad Thai in Bangkok!
I also enjoyed some delicious Pad Krapow, which is a popular street food found all over Thailand. This dish was especially popular in Bangkok, and I wanted to recreate a seafood stir fry version at home.
This Thai Basil Shrimp recipe is known as Pad Krapow Kung. Kung translates to shrimp. Made with fresh shrimp, fresh Thai basil, lime juice, and fresh vegetables, it's an easy recipe that you can make in under 30 minutes.
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🌟 Why this recipe works
This is a popular Thai street food recipe that I think you're gonna love!
- You can find most if not all of the ingredients at your local grocery store.
- It's easy to add even more vegetables to this dish if you want.
- You can make this dish from start to finish in under 30 minutes, making it a great weeknight dinner.
- The sauce is packed with flavor and you can make this dish as mild or as spicy as you want.
Want more Thai food recipes? Try my Beef Pad Thai, Thai Peanut Curry, or Thai Coconut Chicken recipes.
🛒 Ingredient notes
Shrimp - Use large or jumbo shrimp. If using frozen shrimp, allow the shrimp to thaw before using in this recipe.
Vegetables - This recipe calls for red bell pepper, green bell pepper, and onions. If you want to add some spice and heat to this shrimp recipe, add some Thai chili peppers, also known as Bird's Eye chili. You can also add different vegetables like bok choy, broccoli, sugar snap peas, green beans, or bean sprouts.
Thai basil - Thai basil is the key to the flavor of this dish! It has a distinct sweet, anise aroma and flavor that is difficult to replicate using any other herbs (see FAQ section for substitution suggestions). It has a stronger, slightly spiced flavor and aroma compared to the more common Italian basil. I usually buy Thai basil at my local grocery store, but you can also find it at your local Asian market.
Sauce ingredients - To make the sauce, you'll need minced garlic, minced ginger, soy sauce, oyster sauce, vegetable oil (can sub canola oil or olive oil), fish sauce, and brown sugar. This dish tastes better with dark soy sauce, but you can also use light soy sauce with a little extra dark brown sugar added.
Coconut milk - This adds some richness to the dish. It also helps temper the heat if you decide to add some Thai chilis.
✅ Step-by-step instructions
Full ingredients and detailed instructions are in the recipe card below. But here's a quick visual step-by-step of how to make Thai Basil Shrimp stir fry.
- Add all of the sauce ingredients to a food processor and blender. Process until the mixture forms a sauce or thin chili paste. Set aside (can place into a medium bowl if you want).
2. In a wok or large skillet, add the oil over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onions, red bell peppers, and green bell peppers and sauté just until the vegetables are slightly softened, about 2 minutes.
3. Pour in the white wine and cook for about 1 minute.
4. Add the shrimp and stir.
5. Add the sauce mixture and stir.
7. Pour in the coconut milk and give it a good stir.
8. Add the fresh Thai basil leaves. Stir all of the shrimp, vegetables, coconut milk mixture, and basil until well combined.
Serve immediately.
👩🏻🍳 Recipe FAQs
You can substitute regular basil for Thai basil, and then add a few chopped mint leaves into the mix. Italian basil is a sweet basil with mild flavor, and adding the zesty mint will give your herb mixture a flavor closer to Thai basil, but still won't be exactly the same taste.
Holy basil is spicier than Thai basil, and has a peppery flavor. It is often called Thai holy basil, which is why some people get the two confused. Thai basil has a purple stem, is sweeter and has an anise flavor and aroma to it. You definitely want Thai basil for this recipe, not holy basil.
Allow the shrimp and vegetables to cool, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
You can substitute chicken broth, rice vinegar, or water in place of the white wine in this recipe.
🍽 Serving ideas
This is a great, flavorful weeknight dinner. Serve it over white rice, like our Instant Pot Garlic Rice, or brown rice. And add a side of crunchy, satisfying Asian Carrot Cucumber Salad.
🍷 🥂 Wine pairings
Pair this Thai basil shrimp with an Austrian, German, or Alsatian white wine, such as a Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, or Gewürztraminer. This dish also pairs beautifully with a Chenin Blanc or Sauvignon Blanc wine.
🍳 Kitchen tools and equipment
Ready to make this recipe? Here are the kitchen tools and equipment you'll need:
- Food processor - You'll need either a food processor or a blender to make the sauce.
- A wok or skillet - Make this in a wok or a large skillet.
- Wooden spoon - You'll need a wooden spoon to stir the ingredients together.
More Thai recipes
Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card, and if you really loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!
Thai Basil Shrimp
Ingredients
For the Sauce
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1" piece of ginger, peeled and minced
- 2 Tablespoons green onions, sliced (green and white parts)
- 2 Tablespoons oyster sauce
- 2 Tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 Tablespoons fish sauce
- 2 Tablespoons lime juice
- 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon light brown sugar
For the shrimp
- 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced.
- 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 2 Tablespoons dry white wine
- 15-20 medium shrimp, shelled and deveined
- 1 cup Thai basil leaves
- ½ cup coconut milk
- optional: 2 eggs, for serving
Instructions
- In a food processor, add all of the ingredients for the sauce: the garlic, ginger, green onions, oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, lime juice, 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil, and brown sugar. Pulse until all of the ingredients are combined into a sauce. Set aside.
- In a large wok or skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the red and green peppers and the onions and sauté for 2 minutes, just until the vegetables are slightly softened.
- Pour in the white wine and stir together, cooking for 1 more minute.
- Add the shrimp and stir, sautéing until the shrimp are cooked, about 3 minutes.
- Pour in the sauce mixture, and stir. Add the coconut milk, stir, and then add the Thai basil leaves. Turn off the heat, and stir until the ingredients are well mixed. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.
Laurie says
When do I add the sauce to the pan?
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
After you add the shrimp. I've edited the recipe card for clarity. Thank you!