0812 46 37 27
What dishes can be made with basil leaves? “Delicious” is a question many food lovers in Central and Central Highlands regions are interested in. *Lá é* (also known as white *lá é*, *húng é*, or wild basil) is a familiar herb in Central and Central Highlands cuisine. With its distinctive aroma, a blend of lemongrass, basil, and a hint of spiciness, *lá é* enhances the flavor of dishes, reduces fishy tastes, and creates a refreshing sensation. Therefore, many dishes such as chicken soup with *lá é*, *lá é* hot pot, chicken stir-fried with *lá é*, or seafood dishes become more appealing and flavorful when combined with *lá é*. This article will suggest more than 10 delicious and easy-to-make *lá é* dishes to add variety to your family meals.
Chicken hot pot with basil leaves
Hot pot with basil leaves, especially chicken hot pot with basil leaves, is a famous specialty of Phu Yen and very popular in Da Lat. When people think about what dishes can be made with basil leaves, this is always the first dish that comes to mind for many.
This dish impresses with its rich flavor from the firm chicken meat, the sweet and savory broth blended with the mild sourness of bamboo shoots, and the distinctive aroma of perilla leaves. When the hot pot is steaming, simply dipping perilla leaves releases their fragrance instantly, creating an extremely appealing dish for rainy days or chilly weather.
This dish is quite simple to prepare. Clean the chicken, cut it into bite-sized pieces, and stir-fry it briefly with lemongrass, onions, and spices until it’s firm. Then add water and cook with bamboo shoots and chili peppers for a mild spiciness. When the broth boils, season to taste, then quickly blanch the basil leaves before enjoying. Chicken hot pot with basil leaves is usually served with fresh rice noodles and a spicy chili fish sauce for added flavor.
Chicken soup with basil leaves
Chicken soup with basil leaves is a simple yet delicious dish that goes well with rice. When looking for dishes to make with basil leaves, many families often choose this soup because it’s easy to cook and suits their taste. The naturally sweet broth from the chicken, combined with the crisp fresh bamboo shoots and the slightly tangy aroma of basil leaves, creates an appealing and easy-to-eat dish. Just a bowl of hot soup with white rice is enough to make a family meal complete and nutritious.
To cook this dish, chicken is cut into bite-sized pieces and lightly marinated with onions, garlic, and spices. Then, it’s stir-fried briefly until the chicken is firm, and water is added along with fresh bamboo shoots. When the chicken is tender, season to taste and finally add the basil leaves, stir gently, and turn off the heat to preserve the characteristic aroma of the basil.
Chicken stir-fried with basil leaves
Chicken stir-fried with basil leaves is a flavorful, aromatic dish that’s incredibly appetizing and goes perfectly with rice at family meals. The chicken, after being stir-fried until tender, absorbs the seasonings evenly, combined with the slightly spicy and aromatic basil leaves, creating an irresistible flavor. When enjoyed, the sweet, tender chicken meat blends with the fragrant basil and a hint of spiciness from the chili, making the dish unique yet incredibly easy to eat.
To prepare, the chicken is cleaned, cut into bite-sized pieces, and marinated with onions, garlic, fish sauce, pepper, and a little chopped lemongrass for about 15-20 minutes to absorb the flavors. Then, sauté the onions and garlic until fragrant, add the chicken and stir-fry over high heat until the meat is firm and cooked through. Finally, add the basil leaves and a few slices of chili peppers, stir quickly for about 1-2 minutes, then turn off the heat to preserve the characteristic aroma of the basil leaves.
Steamed chicken with basil leaves
Steamed chicken with basil leaves is a light and healthy dish, low in fat but still rich and flavorful. When steamed with lemongrass and basil leaves, the chicken is tender, retaining its natural sweetness and a captivating aroma. The skin is beautifully golden, and the meat inside is firm and full of flavor. Dipping it in a spicy chili-lime sauce enhances the taste, making it perfect for family meals or gatherings.
To prepare, a whole, cleaned chicken is marinated with salt, pepper, minced garlic, and a little crushed lemongrass to absorb the flavors. Then, a layer of perilla leaves and lemongrass is placed at the bottom of the steamer, the chicken is placed on top, and more perilla leaves are added. Steam for about 25-35 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. Then, chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces and enjoy with chili salt or perilla leaf salt.
Fried rice with basil leaves
Fried rice with basil leaves is a novel dish with a distinctive aroma, perfect for adding variety to everyday meals or vegetarian menus. When basil leaves are crushed or finely chopped and mixed into the rice, the essential oils in the leaves permeate each grain of rice, creating a light, slightly spicy, and very appealing aroma. Combined with crispy king oyster mushrooms or various vegetables, the dish becomes both delicious and nutritious.
The preparation is quite simple. Loosen leftover rice and fry it in a hot pan with sautéed garlic. Then add king oyster mushrooms or other vegetables and stir well, seasoning to taste. When the rice is almost cooked, add crushed or chopped basil leaves and stir quickly to infuse the aroma into the rice. Serve on a plate, sprinkle with a little pepper, and enjoy immediately.
Frog cooked with basil leaves
Frog stewed with basil leaves is a rich and appealing dish with the distinctive flavors of Central Vietnamese cuisine. The naturally tender and sweet frog meat, combined with a flavorful broth and the aroma of scallions and basil leaves, creates a truly captivating taste. Adding green chilies gives the dish a mild, tingling spiciness that stimulates the taste buds and makes the soup even more delicious.
The preparation is quite simple. After cleaning the frogs, they are cut into bite-sized pieces and marinated with onions, garlic, and spices. Then, they are stir-fried briefly until the meat is firm, and water is added and brought to a boil. When the frog meat is tender, green chilies and basil leaves are added, stirred gently, and then the heat is turned off to preserve the aroma. This dish can be eaten with white rice or fresh noodles, and is delicious when dipped in chili fish sauce or chili salt.
Beef cooked with basil leaves
Beef cooked with basil leaves is a flavorful dish, a signature dish of Central and Central Highlands Vietnamese cuisine. The tender, sweet beef, when cooked with basil leaves, releases a subtly fragrant, slightly spicy aroma similar to basil, making the dish appealing and not at all greasy. The broth typically has a light sweetness from the beef, a touch of spiciness from the chili peppers, and the fragrant basil leaves, making it perfect to eat hot with vermicelli or white rice.
The preparation is quite simple. Beef (beef shank or brisket) is cut into bite-sized pieces and marinated with garlic, pepper, fish sauce, and a little chopped lemongrass to absorb the flavors. Then, the beef is stir-fried briefly until browned, and water is added, cooking until tender. Near the end, add basil leaves and a few slices of chili peppers to the pot, adjust the seasoning to taste, and then turn off the heat to preserve the characteristic aroma of the basil leaves.
Salt with basil leaves
Basil leaf salt is a unique dipping sauce from Central and Central Highlands Vietnamese cuisine, notable for its distinctive aroma and harmonious blend of spicy and salty flavors. When combined with salt and chili peppers, basil leaves create a rich dipping sauce that pairs perfectly with dishes like steamed chicken, grilled seafood, or boiled meat. The mild, tangy aroma of basil leaves enhances the flavor of the food and effectively reduces the feeling of greasiness.
To make basil leaf salt, first wash about 200g of basil leaves thoroughly and let them drain completely. Put the basil leaves along with coarse salt, pink salt (if available), seasoning powder, and fresh chili peppers into a blender and blend until smooth. Then, put the mixture into a pan and roast over low heat, stirring constantly until the salt is dry and loose. If the salt clumps together, you can crush it or blend it again. Wait for the salt to cool completely before storing it in an airtight jar for later use.
Steamed shrimp with basil leaves
Steamed shrimp with basil leaves is a simple yet incredibly fragrant and appealing seafood dish. When steamed with basil leaves, the shrimp releases a distinctive aroma, a blend of the natural sweetness of the sea shrimp and the subtly tangy scent of the basil. The dish is also visually appealing, with the vibrant orange-red color of the cooked shrimp standing out against the fresh green basil leaves, creating an appetizing look from the first glance.
To prepare, the shrimp are washed and lightly seasoned with salt, pepper, and a few slices of chili peppers. Then, a layer of basil leaves is placed at the bottom of the steamer, the shrimp are arranged on top, and more basil leaves are added. Steam for about 7-10 minutes until the shrimp turn reddish-orange. The dish is ready to serve. When eating, steamed shrimp with basil leaves is best enjoyed with a dipping sauce of salt, pepper, and lime or green chili salt for a richer and more flavorful taste.
Steamed razor clams with white basil leaves
Steamed razor clams with white basil leaves is a delicious seafood dish with a refreshing and appealing flavor. The fresh razor clam meat has a naturally sweet and chewy texture, and when steamed with lemongrass, ginger, and white basil leaves, it releases a distinctive aroma. The slightly spicy basil helps to neutralize the fishy smell of the seafood and enhances the dish’s flavor. This dish is often served with Vietnamese coriander, fish mint, or cucumber, and dipped in green chili salt or seafood dipping sauce.
The preparation is quite simple. After washing the clams, put them in a pot with crushed lemongrass, a few slices of ginger, and a handful of white basil leaves. Cover and steam over high heat for about 5-7 minutes until the clams just open and are cooked through. When serving, arrange on a plate and enjoy hot to fully appreciate the sweetness of the clams combined with the fragrant basil leaves.
Pork trotters cooked with basil leaves
Pork trotters stewed with basil leaves is a rich and nutritious soup, perfect for family meals. The clear and subtly sweet broth from the tender stewed pork trotters, combined with the mild, fragrant basil leaves, creates a distinctive and palatable flavor. Each tender, fatty piece of pork trotter, along with the aroma of onions, cilantro, and a touch of green peppercorns, makes the dish even more appealing. This dish is delicious served with hot rice or fresh rice noodles.
To prepare this dish, the pork trotters are cleaned, chopped into pieces, and blanched in boiling water to remove impurities. Then, they are simmered in a pot with shallots, green peppercorns, and a few seasonings until the trotters are tender. When the broth has reached its natural sweetness, add the basil leaves last, adjust the seasoning to taste, and then turn off the heat to preserve the aroma of the leaves.
How to preserve basil leaves
After learning what delicious dishes can be made with basil leaves, proper storage is also very important. White basil leaves are a type of herb that wilts quite easily if not stored properly. To keep the leaves fresh for longer and retain their characteristic aroma, you should store them immediately after purchasing instead of leaving them at room temperature for too long.
First, remove any bruised or wilted leaves, then gently rinse with clean water and let them dry completely. You can wrap the basil leaves in dry paper towels or paper towels to absorb moisture, then place them in a zip-lock bag or airtight container before refrigerating. This method helps the leaves stay fresh for 3–5 days.
For longer preservation, you can place the basil stems in a glass of water like flowers and put it in the refrigerator, lightly covering it with a plastic bag. Alternatively, for long-term use, basil leaves can be washed, drained, and frozen for later use in dishes such as basil hot pot or soup.
Kamereo – An application providing wholesale basil leaves with full VAT invoices for F&B businesses.
For restaurants, eateries, or industrial kitchens, finding a reliable and well-documented source of fresh basil leaves is crucial for operations. Instead of importing from multiple sources with unclear pricing and difficult-to-control invoices, many F&B businesses now choose professional supply platforms to optimize their procurement process. Kamereo offers a fast, transparent, and suitable solution for ordering ingredients for wholesale businesses.
Import fresh, high-quality vegetables at competitive prices, with transparent VAT invoices at Kamereo:
Korean Zucchini
51,000đ/KILOGRAM
59,500đ/KILOGRAM
Yellow Zucchini Da Lat
45,000đ/KILOGRAM
56,500đ/KILOGRAM
Green Zucchini Da Lat
24,000đ/KILOGRAM
30,500đ/KILOGRAM
Pumpkin Bud Da Lat 300g
27,000đ/TRAY
Winter Melon South
20,000đ/KILOGRAM
25,500đ/KILOGRAM
Pumpkin
15,000đ/KILOGRAM
17,500đ/KILOGRAM
Butternut Squash
14,000đ/KILOGRAM
16,500đ/KILOGRAM
Japanese Round Pumpkin
32,000đ/KILOGRAM
Young Pumpkin
26,000đ/KILOGRAM
Refreshing Herbs South 500g
15,000đ/PACK
Pumpkin Flower
75,000đ/KILOGRAM
Cauliflower
32,000đ/KILOGRAM
37,000đ/KILOGRAM
Cauliflower Da Lat
75,000đ/KILOGRAM
91,500đ/KILOGRAM
Green Broccoli
49,000đ/KILOGRAM
56,500đ/KILOGRAM
Baby Broccoli Da Lat
49,000đ/KILOGRAM
56,000đ/KILOGRAM
Green Broccoli Da Lat
61,000đ/KILOGRAM
69,500đ/KILOGRAM
Chive Flower
149,000đ/KILOGRAM
177,000đ/KILOGRAM
Water Lily
23,000đ/KILOGRAM
Tonkin Creeper Flower
210,000đ/KILOGRAM
Sesbania Sesban Flower
89,000đ/KILOGRAM
Through the app and website, businesses can order basil leaves and thousands of other ingredients on a single platform, while simultaneously tracking product prices, order history, and managing multiple branches from a single account. The system also supports order approval, expense reporting, and real-time delivery status tracking, helping to control budgets and optimize procurement operations more effectively.
In particular, Kamereo issues 100% VAT invoices for all orders, issuing them on the same day of delivery and automatically sending them via email for easy storage, reconciliation, and tax declaration by businesses. Thanks to its transparent electronic invoicing system and stable supply chain, Kamereo is becoming a reliable supplier for thousands of F&B businesses in Vietnam.
Summary
What delicious dishes can be made with basil leaves?From chicken hotpot with basil leaves, chicken soup with basil leaves to fried rice, stir-fried chicken, or pork trotters cooked with basil leaves – all boast a distinctive aroma and refreshing, appealing flavor. This herb not only enhances the flavor of dishes but also creates a unique characteristic for many delicious dishes in Central and Western Vietnam. If you are looking for a source of fresh, high-quality basil leaves for your kitchen or restaurant, check out Kamereo for quick ordering at wholesale prices and with full VAT invoices.
See more:
