3 Popular Thai Basil Fried Rice Vegetarian Recipe

Fried rice is a very popular dish in Asian countries because rice is considered a staple food in most of these countries. With fried rice, cooking enthusiasts have the chance to experiment and adjust the taste with the use of sauces and spices. Fried rice is also a great dish to cook if you have lots of left-over ingredients from cooking other dishes since the quantity of most of the spices, vegetables, and meat used is of the minimal amount. You can even use leftover rice for the following recipes, another leftover ingredient that can be used when making this dish. More importantly, because most of the ingredients are easy to cook and do not require a long time to cook, you have more options to adjust the taste of your fried rice. To accommodate such taste, you can add another ingredient or just increase the quantity of a specific spice or ingredient, requiring little activity and time but yielding effective adjustments to the dishes.

Thai Basil Fried Rice is a specific dish that originated from Thailand, and it is trademarked by the basil leaves included in the fried rice. The basil leaves add a flavor that is similar to anise and licorice, which have a slightly sweet and spicy taste, respectively. The leaves are also suitable for cooking at high heat because its flavors remain intact. There are many variants of Thai basil fried rice, and some of the very popular variants are those that are made for vegetarians.Thai basil fried rice for vegetarians have become more popular but because there is an increasing number of people who are opting to shift to a healthier meal.

Below is three Thai basil fried rice for vegetarians recipes that are easy to cook but delicious. Each recipe below has a distinct taste and texture – making it ideal for those who are looking for a specific flavor. The recipes are also easy and have quick procedures with each dish taking only 30 minutes at most, making it perfect if you’re in a hurry or if you want to make the most out of leftover spices and ingredients. If you have no remaining ingredients, there’s no need to worry as most of the ingredients used are also familiar and easy to find in supermarkets and online stores. If you want to try making your own, check out the recipes below:

Thai Basil Fried Rice With Tempeh

selective focus photo of skillet filled with food

This recipe is perfect for those who want to have a meat-like texture in their fried rice. A healthy recipe filled with vegetables and spices alike; this is an ideal treat for those who are transitioning to a vegetarian lifestyle. This dish is also a favorite of those who like the texture of tempeh over tofu. This dish quite easy to cook and takes less time. Check out the recipe and ingredients needed below:

No. of Servings: 6

Ingredients:

QtyUnitIngredientProduct Link
3tbspOyster SauceLee Kum Kee Panda Brand Oyster Sauce
2tbspFish SauceRed Boat Premium Fish Sauce
1tspWhite SugarDomino Sugar
1/2cupPeanut OilPlanters Peanut Oil
4cupJasmine RiceThree Ladies Jasmine Rice
6piecesGarlic Cloves (crushed)
16ozFresh TempehFresh Tempeh
1pieceSeeded Red Pepper
1pieceOnion (Thin Slice)
2cupSweet Thai BasilFresh Thai Basil Leaves
1pieceCucumber (Sliced)
1/2cupCilantro Sprigs
2pieceSerrano PepperSan Marcos Serrano Peppers
  1. Cook the jasmine rice first by placing the rice in a cooking pot and adding 4 cups and ⅓ water.
  2. Place the cooking pot into the stove at medium heat and bring it to boil.
  3. Once the water boils, set the heat to low. This should have the rice cooked within 18 to 30 minutes. Please check with the packaging for the correct instructions.
  4. You will know that the rice is cooked once it is slightly sticky, easy to chew, and soft.
  5. The next step is to wash the cucumbers and onions as part of the preparation of the spices and vegetables.
  6. Slice the cucumbers – not too thin but not thick either. And slice the onions thinly.
  7. For the garlic cloves, crush them in a mortar and pestle; the serrano peppers should be crushed too.
  8. Prepare the tempeh by cooking it in the steamer for 12-15 minutes. Once it is cooked, drain the tempeh. Slice the tempeh into ½ inch cubes.
  9. In a small bowl, add the oyster sauce, fish sauce, and sugar. Whisk them together until they are thoroughly mixed.
  10. Add the peanut oil in a pan over medium heat. Once the oil is heated, sauté the garlic and serrano pepper for 30 seconds.
  11. Add in the tempeh and stir continuously. After, add the bell pepper onion and the mixture in step 8.
  12. Continue to stir until the tempeh appears golden brown.
  13. Set the heat of the stove to high and add in the rice. Continue to stir the mixture until the sauce is blended with the rice.
  14. Make sure that there is no rice sticking together. Remove the pan from the stove and add the basil leaves. Mix them well.
  15. Add the cilantro and cucumber as garnish.

Thai Basil Fried Rice With Pineapple and Cashew

fried rice on black pan

Fruits are another source of nutrients needed by our body, so in this recipe, fruit and nut are added, making it even a healthier dish. Pineapple is a sweet and juicy fruit that adds a unique taste to every dish. It is also very popular in Asian countries as an ingredient in various dishes – some even added to meat and fish. Cashew nuts are also popular in adding a nutty flavor to your fried rice. Nutty flavors are common in Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand. If you like to take your fried rice to a new level, try this recipe filled with a sweet and nutty flavor. Check out the procedures and ingredients listed below:

No. of Servings: 4

Ingredients:

QtyUnitIngredientProduct Link
5   piecesGarlic ClovesKEJORA Fresh Garlic
4piecesThai Chili PepperThai Fresh Chili
1piecesShallots
2tbspOyster SauceThai Oyster Sauce
1tbspThai Light Soy sauceHealthy Boy Thai Light Soysauce
1tbspHoneyNature Nate’sHoney
1/2tspGround PepperSpice Classics Ground Red Pepper
2tbspUnsalted Butter
1canPineapple ChunksPineapple Chunks
2piecesEggs
2 and 1/2cupsJasmine RiceCarolina Jasmine Rice
3tbspThai BasilFresh Thai Basil Leaves
1/4cupBroccoli
1/4cupCarrot
1/4cupCashew
  1. A day before you cook your fried rice, cook the Jasmine rice first. Put the rice into a pot and add 2 and ¾ water. Bring the water into a boil and afterward set the heat into low.
  2. Wait for a few minutes until rice is cooked. Make sure that it is soft, chewy, and slightly sticky.
  3. You may store this rice in the refrigerator for one day.
  4. On the day that you’re going to cook the fried rice, the first thing to do is the preparation of spices.
  5. Using mortar and pestle, pound together the Thai chili pepper and garlic. Make sure the oil and aroma of garlic and Thai chili comes out.
  6. To make the sauce, add the oyster sauce, fish sauce, palm sugar, and pepper in a small mixing bowl. Whisk them until all ingredients are mixed.
  7. Put a pan into a stove with the heat set to high. Add the garlic, and shallots, broccoli, and carrot.
  8. Set the ingredients on the side and crack two eggs on the other side. Wait until the eggs are slightly cooked but still soft and then mix all the ingredients altogether.
  9. Add the pineapple chunks and cashew nuts.
  10. Continue to add rice and sauce mixture. Mix and stir all the ingredients for about 2-3 minutes.
  11. Make sure that the sauce has coated the rice evenly. Once even coating is achieved, turn off the heat.
  12. Add the basil into the pan and mix the ingredients until it is blended with rice.
  13. The fried rice is now ready for serving!

Vegan Thai Basil Fried Rice

person holding black ceramic bowl with rice

Unlike the first recipe, this one uses tofu as the ingredient with a meat-like texture. For vegetarians who are used to eating Tofu and want to make Thai basil fried rice, this is the perfect recipe. This Thai basil fried rice for vegetarians also uses tamari sauce instead of soy sauce,making its sauce thicker and less salty. This makes it ideal for people who are not fond of salty flavor. If you want to add more vegetables that you think will be perfect, you can do it too. See the recipe below:

No. of Servings: 3

Ingredients:

QtyUnitIngredientProduct Link
3tbspTamariOrganic Coconut Palm Sugar
2tbspPineapple JuiceDole Pineapple Juice
1/2tspGarlic PowderMcCormick Garlic Powder
1tspRice VinegarMarukan Seasoned Gourmet Rice Vinegar
1tbspVegan Oyster SauceWan Ja Shan Vegetarian Mushroom Oyster Sauce
1tspMolassesGrandma’s Original Molasses
2tspVegetable OilHappy Belly Vegetable Oil
5piecesGarlic ClovesKEJORA Fresh Garlic
2piecesChili (Finely Chopped)
1/2pieceOnion (Thin sliced)
1/2pieceRed Bell Pepper (Thin Sliced)
1/4cupCarrots (Thinly Sliced)
1/4cupMushroomsFestival Mushrooms
1/4cupBroccoli
1/2cupGreen Onion (Divided)
1/2cupThai Basil LeavesFresh Thai Basil Leaves
2tspSalt
2tspBlack PepperBadia Black Pepper
1/2tspRed Pepper FlakesRed Pepper Flakes Tin
2cupJasmine RiceDynasty Jasmine Rice
  1. Cook the rice first by putting it into a pot and adding 2 and ⅓ water. Set the heat to medium and to bring water into a boil.
  2. Set the heat into low and let it simmer after water is brought into a boil.
  3. Wait for the rice to be fully cooked – soft and chewy and store it aside.
  4. Next, cook the tofu by putting it into a steamer and allow it to steam for 12-15 minutes. Allow it to drain, and you can slice the tofu into ½ inch cubes.
  5. Clean and prepare the vegetables by cutting the following vegetables into thin slices:
    1. Carrots
    2. Onion
    3. Red Bell Pepper
  6. Divide and slice the following vegetables accordingly:
    1. Green Onions
    2. Mushrooms
    3. Broccoli
  7. Chop the following ingredients using mortar and pestle until the aroma and oil are out:
    1. Garlic Cloves
    2. Red Chili
  8. To prepare the sauce for the fried rice, mix the following ingredients in a bowl and whisk until marinade-mixture is achieved:
    1. Tamari
    2. 1 tbsp water
    3. Sugar
    4. Pineapple Juice
    5. Garlic Powder
    6. Rice Vinegar
    7. Vegan Oyster Sauce
    8. Molasses
  9. Heat a skillet or deep pan over medium heat and add oil.
  10. When the oil is heated, add the garlic and chili and sauté it. Allow the garlic to turn into golden brown.
  11. Add the red bell pepper, onions, carrots, broccoli, and mushrooms. Stir-fry the vegetables and allow it to cook for 2 minutes.
  12. Add in the pan the sauce for the fried rice and the tofu. Cover the pan or skillet for 2-3 minutes to allow the vegetables to be cooked. Make sure that the sauce thickens as well.
  13. After the vegetables are cooked, and sauce is thick, add ¼ cup of green onions and the basil. Stir the ingredients and allow it to cook for a minute.
  14. Add the rice, black pepper, and salt. Stir and toss the ingredients well. Allow it to cook for 1-2 minutes.
  15. Try tasting the fried rice and adjust the taste by adding salt or pepper.
  16. Once your desired taste is achieved, your fried rice is ready for serving.
  17. Garnish each serving with the remaining green onions or red pepper flakes.

Recent Posts

Popular Posts