Thai Basil Recipe with Tofu (2024)

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An easy recipe for Thai Basil Recipe with Tofu that is ready in under 30 minutes. Easy swaps are available to make this Thai Tofu vegetarian and whether or not you can find Thai Basil doesn’t matter much for a delicious dinner the whole family will love.

The other night I was eating dinner with C and we were chatting about confidence in the kitchen. I’m a firm believer that anyone can be a great cook so long as they are willing to practice. Surprisingly, C agreed, even if I am the exclusive chef of this family. He claims I stunted his growth because I do all the cooking. On some level I have to agree. We’ve been together for a decade and it’s fair to say that I’ve cooked 99% of our meals. It doesn’t leave much room for him to develop his skills and confidence.

This is a situation that works for us, even if it’s unbalanced. C is a killer dishwasher and grocery shopper. I do all of the cooking. In our opinion it evens out in the end.

That being said, I try to keep him in the back of my mind when I’m developing recipes. I ask myself “would C be able to follow this recipe”. If the answer is no then I generally don’t post it. If it’s yes then you’ll see it here on the blog. This Thai Basil Recipe with Tofu totally fits the bill. Even though there’s zero chance of C making it, I know he’d be able to and those are the kinds of recipes that I like to share. Everyone from the beginner to the advanced cook are welcome here. No pre-requisites necessary!

What is Thai Basil or Pad Kra Pao?

Pad Kra Pao is a traditional Thai dish typically made with ground chicken and the herb Holy Basil (Thai Basil Leaves). My version is similar to this stir-fry except chicken is replaced with tofu and crisped up nicely before being combined with veggies, sauce ingredients and served on rice. In place of traditional Thai chilies (which can be hard to find) I use store-bought chili paste also called sambar oelek.

Ingredients in Thai Basil Tofu

  • Rice – I like short-grain brown rice but use whatever you have or prefer
  • Extra Firm Tofu (14 oz) – make sure you buy extra firm so it holds its shape!
  • Tapioca starch – can also use cornstarch or flour which helps the tofu get crispy
  • Soy sauce – feel free to use tamari if you are gluten-free
  • Fish sauce – omit if vegan or vegetarian
  • Chili Paste – also known as Sambal Oelek. Adds a nice spicy kick to this dish
  • Rice Wine Vinegar – you can use a lime instead if you don’t have rice wine vinegar
  • Coconut sugar – to balance out the acids and salt
  • Sesame oil – can also use olive oil or a more neutral oil if you prefer
  • Veggies – garlic, ginger, bell peppers, broccoli (or broccolini) and of course Thai basil or basil
  • Raw sesame seeds
  • optional toppings: cashews, scallions, additional basil, cilantro etc…

How to Cook Basil Tofu

This Thai dish is coated in tapioca starch to help it crisp up when you cook it. If you don’t have tapioca starch you can use cornstarch (I recommend organic if you can find it) or even regular white flour. Just add a pinch of salt and pepper to bring out the flavor.

Besides the tapioca starch this Thai basil recipe requires a light frying to achieve optimal crispiness.

You know your Thai tofu is ready for cooking when the oil simmers in the pan when you add a splash of water. At this point you can add your tofu and use tongs to flip the tofu occasionally until each piece is crispy and brown all over.

Make this Thai Basil Recipe Vegetarian

It’s super easy to make this Thai Basil recipe vegetarian. The only ingredient which isn’t technically vegetarian is the fish sauce. If you’re pescatarian I recommend keeping it in as it adds a lot of flavor, however if you’re a strict vegan or vegetarian feel free to omit the fish sauce. The flavor is still delicious even without it.

Easy Thai Basil Recipe Swaps

Don’t like tofu? Feel free to replace with any other protein. Thai basil chicken, beef or even chickpeas would work great. You can use pre-cooked or follow the same instructions as the tofu to get a nice crispy taste on your protein. You can also top it with a fried egg!

Make it vegan! Omit the fish sauce to make this thai basil recipe completely vegan.

Prefer different veggies? If red bell pepper or broccoli/broccolini aren’t your thing or you have other vegetables on hand, feel free to replace with what you have. This recipe is very forgiving.

Can’t find Thai Basil? While this recipe is more tradition with Thai Basil, you can also use regular sweet basil and it will still be delicious.

More Thai-Inspired Recipes:

  • Cilantro Lime Tofu Bowls
  • Chicken Pad See Ew
  • Veggie Pad Thai
  • Tofu Buddha Bowls

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Thai Basil Tofu

Thai Basil Recipe with Tofu (4)

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An easy recipe for Thai Basil Tofu that is ready in under 30 minutes. Easy swaps are available to make this Thai Tofu vegetarian and whether or not you can find Thai Basil doesn’t matter much for a delicious dinner the whole family will love.

  • Author: Davida Lederle
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Cook
  • Cuisine: Thai
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 1/2 cups dry brown rice
  • 14 oz package extra firm tofu
  • 1tbsptapioca starch or flour (can also use cornstarch)
  • pinch of salt + pepper
  • 1/3cupsoy sauce or tamari
  • 1tbspfish sauce
  • 12tbspchili paste (sambal oelek)
  • 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
  • 2 tbsp coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
  • 2 tbsp sesame oil (can also use olive oil or a more neutral oil)
  • 4clovesgarlic, minced
  • 1inchfresh ginger, grated
  • 1 largered or orange bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1 head of broccolini or broccoli, ends trimmed or cut into florets
  • 1cupfresh Thai or regular basil, roughly torn
  • 1tbspraw sesame seeds
  • optional toppings: cashews, scallions, additional basil, cilantro etc…

Instructions

  1. Make rice according to package instructions.
  2. Place tofu block in a dishtowel or paper towel and squeeze to remove moisture. Cut into 1-inch cubes.
  3. In a large bowl combine tofu, tapioca starch, salt and pepper to coat tofu.
  4. In a small bowl make sauce by combining soy sauce (or tamari), fish sauce, chili paste, rice wine vinegar and coconut sugar. Set aside.
  5. Add sesame oil to a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Drop a splash of water into the skillet and if the oil simmers it is ready.
  6. Add the tofu, flipping occasionally until brown all over and crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
  7. Add the garlic, ginger, and peppers, and broccolini or broccoli to skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes. Add a tablespoon of water and cover skillet with a top or tin foil. Allow veggies to steam for 2 minutes. Remove top and cook until veggies are slightly browned and cooked through.
  8. Add the tofu back to the skillet and pour in the pre-mixed sauce to bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and let cook for about 3 minutes or until sauce has thickened to preference.
  9. Remove from the heat and stir in the basil and sesame seeds.
  10. Serve over rice with optional toppings.
Thai Basil Recipe with Tofu (6)

Meet the Maven

Hi! I'm Davida and welcome to my corner of the internet. I'm a wellness blogger, yoga teacher, certified herbalist, and green beauty lover.

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Thai Basil Recipe with Tofu (2024)

FAQs

What can I do with all my Thai basil? ›

Ways to use it

One of the best things about Thai basil is how versatile it is. It's a great addition to many different types of dishes, from stir-fries and curries to soups and salads. It also pairs well with a wide range of meats, including chicken, pork, beef, and seafood.

What pairs well with Thai basil? ›

Kitchen Tips
  • Vegetables: zucchini, corn, bell pepper, tomato, green beans, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, eggplant, squash, spinach, artichoke, fennel, onion, potato.
  • Seafood: lobster, shrimp, crab, red snapper, salmon (fresh and smoked), grouper, tuna.
  • Meat and Poultry: chicken, turkey, beef, veal, lamb, sausage.

Does Thai cooking use tofu? ›

Tofu can also be used in Thai curries and soups for added protein and texture. Simply cube the tofu and add it to the curry or soup towards the end of cooking, allowing it to absorb the flavors and become tender.

What are options for Thai basil? ›

If you can't find Thai basil, you can substitute sweet basil, but it will lack its distinctive grassy and spicy flavor. If you are to substitute, supplement the sweet basil with mint to make up for this loss of flavor.

What can I do with a whole lot of basil? ›

Don't let it wilt – there are so many deliciously different ways to use it up.
  1. 1Gnocchi with burnt butter, lemon and basil. ...
  2. 2Bocconcini and basil turkish pizza. ...
  3. 3Basil lime cooler. ...
  4. 4Tomato salad with basil oil dressing. ...
  5. 5Fennel and basil beans on ricotta toasts. ...
  6. 6Toasted cheese, basil and tomato sandwich.

What can I make with too much basil? ›

Too Much Basil?
  1. Dipping Oil – Chop finely and mix with other herbs such as thyme, oregano, minced garlic, and extra virgin olive oil. ...
  2. Pizza Topping – Try adding torn basil leaves as a pizza topping.
  3. Caprese Salad – Nothing says summer like a Caprese salad.
Jun 23, 2022

What protein goes well with basil? ›

Pair Them Right

Chicken: basil, chervil, chives, cilantro, dill, marjoram, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, savory, tarragon, thyme. Beef: basil, chives, marjoram, oregano, parsley, rosemary, tarragon, thyme. Pork: basil, dill, lemon verbena, marjoram, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage.

Should Thai basil be refrigerated? ›

Store basil for up to 1 week in the refrigerator. Leave it in its original plastic container or rinse the leaves, roll them up in paper towels, and place them in a resealable plastic bag for up to about 4 days.

What vegetables are good with basil? ›

Basil Sweet, spicy aroma apricots, bell peppers (red), broccoli, blueberries, carrots, corn, peaches, peas, potatoes, rice, tomatoes, white beans, zucchini chives, cilantro, garlic, oregano, mint, parsley, rosemary, thyme Avoid leaves that are drooping or blackened.

Why is tofu not frying? ›

You're not pressing out excess moisture.

Before frying, tofu should be pressed to eliminate any excess water. Sometimes, in a hurry to get dinner done, I skip this step. But I always regret it. The still-sort-of-wet tofu never gets as golden brown or as crisp.

What is the secret to cooking tofu? ›

First, drain and press the tofu.

For the best texture, press the tofu using a tofu press or cast-iron skillet for 20 to 30 minutes. If you're short on time, just drain the tofu and gently press it in a kitchen towel or paper towels over the sink. The tofu won't be as firm this way, but it will still be delicious!

What is tofu called in Thailand? ›

Etymology
Regional names
Thai name
Thaiเต้าหู้
RTGStaohu
Korean name
35 more rows

What are the two types of Thai basil? ›

'Siam Queen', a cultivar named All America Selections Winner in 1997, has ornamental and culinary qualities. Its late season purple flowers appear on a bushy two-foot plant. Other varieties of Thai basil include: 'Queenette', 'Thai', 'Thai Magic', and 'Sumatran'.

What is the closest thing to Thai basil? ›

Thai Basil Substitute

We recommend using star anise specifically, as it is commonly used in the cuisines that use Thai basil. Sweet basil and holy basil are also good alternatives but do miss the anise note that the recipe is likely calling Thai basil for.

How do you make basil taste like Thai basil? ›

No problem! Some recipes call for Thai basil, a pungent variety that can be hard to find in grocery stores. To duplicate its flavor, use common “Italian” basil and add a few fresh mint sprigs to the recipe.

How do you preserve extra Thai basil? ›

You lock in that wonderful flavor and beautiful green color by freezing the basil plants and storing them in freezer bags. You can use this technique for all kinds of basil; Sweet, Thai, Purple, and Lemon.

What can I do with dried Thai basil? ›

Dehydrated Thai basil can be crumbled up and used in meals like the fresh variety. It's easier to dehydrate the entire basil stem, then pull off all the leaves when it's dry. The main stem is completely inedible and will be the last thing to dry, if the stem is the dry, everything else is dry.

Are all parts of Thai basil edible? ›

Thai basil is a staple herb in many Southeast Asian gardens, and thrives in tropical climates. Thai basil leaves and flowers are harvested for salads, sauces, soups and stir-fries for many Thai and Vietnamese dishes. The sprouts can also be eaten as microgreens!

How do you store fresh Thai basil? ›

Loosely cover the basil with a plastic bag and keep it at room temperature in a shaded corner of your kitchen counter, changing the water every two days. Like flowers, your basil stalks will last anywhere from five days to over a week, with fresh leaves always an arm's reach away.

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