If you have had Thai Shrimp Fried Rice with Basil at a Thai restaurant or take-out, most likely you will love it. The combo of succulent shrimp, garlic-flavored rice, and that peppery, slightly pungent, and licorice-like taste of Thai basil is seriously addictive. Did you know it is way easier to make at home than you might think? It's perfect for those lazy weekends when you want something delicious in the comfort of your home!
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Why you'll love this Fried Rice?
- For That Flavor: Thai basil has a bold, slightly sweet, and peppery kick with a hint of licorice. When paired with shrimp, it creates a great flavor combination that is totally addictive.
- Perfect for Any Meal: This fried rice is ideal whether you're preparing a quick weeknight dinner or packing lunch for the next day. And yes, leftovers make awesome lunch boxes.
- Spicy and Packed with Flavor: If you like a little heat, like in Tomato chutney, Kashmiri chicken, or Chili chicken, this dish has it. It is not only spicy but also savory and bursting with classic Thai flavors.
- Quick and Easy: All you need is a handful of ingredients, and it comes together fast. It's one of those dishes that feels like a treat but doesn't require much effort, just like the Nei choru recipe or making air fryer corn.
- Better Than Takeout: Once you try this at home, you might not need to order in again!
Ingredients you will need
- Cooked rice or rice from the previous day stored in the refrigerator
- Vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, shallots, Red and green chilies
- Garlic and green onions, Basil leaves
- Sauces: Soya sauce and Green chili sauce
- Pantry staples: Butter and Eggs
How to make Thai Shrimp and basil fried rice?
This recipe is similar to Thai basil Chicken fried rice, with minor changes in ingredients and preparation.
Shrimp and basil are the two main star ingredients that impart a delicious and unique flavor to this dish. You can use any vegetables of your choice, like multi-colored bell peppers and carrots.
The ground paste, shrimp, veggies, scrambled eggs, rice, basil leaves, and sauces are all sauteed in oil and combined well to make a tasty meal.
- Step 1: Get the soaked red chilies, garlic, and green chilies ready.
- Step 2: Grind coarsely so it releases the oil.
- Step 3: Heat the butter and add the ground paste and sautee well.
- Step 4: Add shrimp to it and sautee. On the side, add eggs and scramble them.
- Step 5: Next, add the sliced veggies. Add pepper, sauces, salt, and brown sugar and combine well.
- Step 6: Add the cooked rice and mix well.
If you are looking for more recipes with Shrimp, do check out the chemmeen mulakittathu, a spicy and tangy curry, and the coconut gravy-based prawns curry Kerala recipe, shrimp curry goan, or the dry version of spicy shrimp Chemmeen Thengakothu.
Useful Tips
- Thai Basil Is Key: Thai basil adds a bold, spicy, and slightly licorice-like flavor that really sets this dish apart. It's not the same as sweet basil (commonly used in Italian dishes), so make sure you're using the right one for that authentic Thai taste.
- Crush and Pound, Don't Blend (If You Can): For the best flavor, use a mortar and pestle to grind the soaked red chilies, green chilies, and garlic. The coarse texture and the oils released during pounding give the dish a deeper, more aromatic flavor. If you're short on time, a quick blend in a mixer works too.
- Shallots Over Onions: Swapping regular onions for shallots adds a depth that really complements the shrimp and basil.
- Use Cold, Cooked Rice: Day-old or refrigerated rice is ideal for fried rice as it's firmer and won't turn mushy when stir-fried. Fresh rice tends to clump and won't absorb flavors as well.
- Adjust the Heat: Feel free to adjust the amount of red and green chilies based on your spice preference. Add more for extra heat, or tone it down if you're not a fan of spicy food.
- Sauces Are Optional: The addition of oyster sauce and fish sauce is traditional, but totally optional. If you prefer a lighter or vegetarian version, you can skip one or both.
- Sweet Touch (Optional): A small amount of brown sugar or honey adds a subtle balance to the spice and saltiness, but it's not a must, so adjust to your taste.
Related FAQs
Jasmine rice or Basmati rice can be used, and it is preferable to use already-cooked and refrigerated rice.
Bell peppers, onions, green beans, peas, and baby corn can all be added.
The addition of brown sugar or palm sugar gives it a sweet tinge; you can skip adding it if you prefer that.
When properly stored in an air-tight container, the fried rice can stay fresh for 3 to 4 days. Store it in the refrigerator as soon as it is cooled. It can develop bacteria if it stays out for longer at room temperature.
Related Recipes
If you tried this Thai Shrimp Fried Rice Recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and a 📝 comment below. I love hearing from you!
Thai Shrimp Fried rice
Ingredients
- 2 cups basil leaves washed and cleaned
- 4 cups rice cooled , left over rice works best
- 1 cup bell peppers multi colored and cut into long thin strips
- 1 carrot cut into long thin strips
- 4 shallots medium sized cut length wise
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 eggs
- 2 tbsp soya sauce
- 1 tsp black pepper powder
- 1 tbsp green chilli sauce
- 1 tsp salt to taste
- ½ cup green onions chopped
- 1 tbsp coriander chopped for garnish
- 1 tbsp basil leaves
- 1 tsp oyster sauce or fish sauce optional
- 1 tsp brown sugar or honey optional
To grind
- 4 -5 red chillies soaked in water for 2 -3 hours
- 5 green chillies
- 6 garlic medium size
Instructions
- Using a mortar and pestle, grind the chilies and garlic to a rough paste.
- Wash, de-vein and clean the shrimp .
- Heat butter or oil in a wok and add the chilly garlic paste and sautee well.
- Next add Shrimp and salt to taste and cook it well.
- Move all the contents to the side of the pan and break the eggs into it .
- Scramble the eggs and mix with the rest of the shrimp.
- Add the veggies and sautee well.
- Add all the sauces, pepper , salt and brown sugar if using.
- Add the basil leaves and mix well , till it wilts a little .
- Next add the rice and combine everything well.
- Garnish with chopped basil , green onions and coriander leaves.
Video
Notes
- Thai Basil Is Key: Thai basil adds a bold, spicy, and slightly licorice-like flavor that really sets this dish apart. It's not the same as sweet basil (commonly used in Italian dishes), so make sure you're using the right one for that authentic Thai taste.
- Crush and Pound, Don't Blend (If You Can): For the best flavor, use a mortar and pestle to grind the soaked red chilies, green chilies, and garlic. The coarse texture and the oils released during pounding give the dish a deeper, more aromatic flavor. If you're short on time, a quick blend in a mixer works too.
- Shallots Over Onions: Swapping regular onions for shallots adds a depth that really complements the shrimp and basil.
- Use Cold, Cooked Rice: Day-old or refrigerated rice is ideal for fried rice as it's firmer and won't turn mushy when stir-fried. Fresh rice tends to clump and won't absorb flavors as well.
- Adjust the Heat: Feel free to adjust the amount of red and green chilies based on your spice preference. Add more for extra heat, or tone it down if you're not a fan of spicy food.
- Sauces Are Optional: The addition of oyster sauce and fish sauce is traditional, but totally optional. If you prefer a lighter or vegetarian version, you can skip one or both.
- Sweet Touch (Optional): A small amount of brown sugar or honey adds a subtle balance to the spice and saltiness, but it's not a must, so adjust to your taste.
Looks so tempting! Saving this recipe to try as soon as I get Thai basil in hand 🤤
Very well explained. We absolutely love Thai food in our home .
Thank you so much Hema, hope you try it soon !
Thanks for the idea of how to use Thai basil. I grew some last year but never really used it for much. Looks like a great recipe!
You are very welcome Deborah. This is one recipe that we all love at our home .Pretty sure you will love it too.Thank you for stopping by!
Wow, I am craving for this Thai Fried Rice Nisha. It looks soo good, perfectly shot picture. Color and texture just resembles the restaurants platting. I love Thai Food and basil fried rice is one of my favorite herbed rice. Literally I can smell the basil seeing your pictures. Will sure try the recipe.
So happy to read your comments . I also love this dish and is a personal favorite . I planted the Thai Basil just so I could make it whenever I feel like making it .You are right the aroma of the basil is just mind blowing! I would love to hear if you try it . Thank you again. Keep visiting!
Ohh that sounds really yum
Thank you so much for the comment and stopping by!
Oh my! Sounds flavorful and exotic! Bookmarking this wonderful recipe Nisha
Thank you Smitha, Glad to hear you loved it . I'm sure you will enjoy making and having this ,it tastes out of the world!
This looks so delicious. Love the combination of shrimps and basil. 🙂
Yes Ronit turned out really good , the shrimp and basil go well in the fried rice .Thank you so much!