Healthy Chilli Pork and Basil Stir Fry
This healthy take on the Thai classic is a no-fuss stir-fry packed with bold flavours from fresh chilli, fragrant Thai basil, and tender pork. Low in calories but high in taste, it’s the perfect quick and nutritious midweek dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Dish
This stir-fry combines everything we love about Thai flavours — spicy, savoury, and aromatic — in a lighter, healthier version. Using lean pork fillet, veggie rice, and fresh basil, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavour without the excess calories or oil.
It’s also an excellent way to sneak in extra vegetables with broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower blended into the rice for added nutrients and fibre. Plus, it’s ready in under 30 minutes — perfect for busy weeknights.
💡 Pro tip: For extra flavour, add a splash of lime juice before serving or top with crushed peanuts for crunch!
Ingredients (10)
1 long fresh red chilli, deseeded, thinly sliced, plus extra for garnish (optional)
1/3 cup stir-fry sauce (see Notes)
2 tsp finely grated fresh ginger
3 tsp sesame oil
500g pork fillet, trimmed, thinly sliced
1 large red onion, cut into thin wedges
1 small bunch fresh basil (stems thinly sliced, leaves picked)
1 head broccoli, cut into florets (stems thinly sliced)
2 large carrots, cut into thin matchsticks
500g packet frozen carrot, cauliflower, and broccoli rice
Method
Step 1:
Combine the chilli and stir-fry sauce in a small bowl. Set aside.
Step 2:
In a shallow dish, mix the ginger and 2 tsp sesame oil. Add the pork and toss to coat. Marinate for 5 minutes.
Step 3:
Heat a wok over high heat. Stir-fry the pork in 2 batches for 2–3 minutes or until golden. Transfer to a plate.
Step 4:
Add the onion and remaining oil to the wok. Stir-fry for 1–2 minutes. Add basil stems, broccoli stems, and carrot; cook for 1 minute. Add the florets and 1 tbsp water. Stir-fry for 2 minutes, then return pork and add sauce. Cook for 1 minute until heated through. Toss through basil leaves.
Step 5:
Heat veggie rice as directed. Serve topped with the pork stir-fry, extra basil leaves, and sliced chilli.
Recipe Notes
Veggie rice is a great low-waste and time-saving option — no chopping needed!
If you prefer to make your own, blend broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots together and use the entire vegetable (stems and all).
Nutrition per serving
Energy: 1122 kJ (268 cal)
Protein: 34.4 g
Fat: 5.8 g (1.1 g saturated)
Carbohydrates: 13.2 g
