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These colorful 20 Minute Thai Basil Beef Rolls are full of Thai-inspired flavor and made so simply. The beef (or use chicken or pork) is cooked in a spicy chili sauce until caramelized around the edges, then rolled up in tortillas with fresh cucumbers, cilantro, and Thai basil. Serve with extra soy sauce, chili paste, and toasted sesame oil. Each roll is spicy, sweet, tangy, and salty. Enjoy as an appetizer or serve alongside steamed rice for a quick dinner.
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My brother Malachiโs girlfriend, Caitlyn, lives in LA. Sheโs been telling me about beef rolls sheโll sometimes get when she out to dinner. Sheโs been on me to make a spicy, sweet, salty roll with Thai-inspired flavors for weeks. I was so hesitant at first because a beef roll didnโt sound all that appealing.
But then I actually put some thought into it. I did some research on how beef rolls are made and decided I could make super quick beef rolls at home with delicious flavors. Most classic beef rolls are made using a homemade wrap and thinly sliced marinated beef. They often use a spice used in Vietnamese and Hawaiian cooking, called Chinese 5 Spice. Itโs a blend of cinnamon, black pepper, star anise, cloves, and fennel.
Ingredients
- Ground beefย
- Black pepperย
- Garlicย
- Fresh grated gingerย
- Chinese 5 spiceย
- Tamari or soy sauceย
- Thai chili sauceย
- Chopped green onionsย
- Persian cucumbersย
- Cilantroย
- Thai basilย
- Chopped roasted peanutsย
- Flour tortillasย
- Chili pasteย
- Toasted sesame oilย
Of course, all rolls are made differently, but the process is a bit lengthy. So I took some inspiration from the beef rolls Cait has been telling me about and created my own simplified version. And I love the way they turned out!
Since I like to serve these rolls as a dinner, the first thing I make is a big pot of rice. It actually takes longer to cook the rice than the rolls. Itโs totally up to you, whether to add rice, but I thought it was worth mentioning. Especially since I know many of you need fast dinner options.
The details
I like to cook the rice in coconut milk for a creamy, coconut flavor. Simply let the rice steam while you prepare the beef rolls.
For the beef, I used ground beef, garlic, and ginger cooked together with Chinese 5 Spice, Thai chili sauce, and green onions. Cook over medium-high heat. You can easily use whatever you enjoy here, chicken or pork would both be great.
If youโre having trouble finding Thai basil, traditional Italian basil works in a pinch! Or just place extra cilantro or even an additional green onion in a small bowl for a great garnish.
Since most store-bought chili sauce is full of sugar, I like to make my own chili sauce. I use a mix of honey, chili paste, a touch of ketchup, and then some garlic, ginger, and lime!! Itโs really easy to mix up this stir fry if youโre looking for a healthier sauce option.
Then just put everything together. Layer your warm tortillas (or delicate rice paper rolls if you prefer) with the hot beef, cucumber, cilantro, basil, green onions, and peanuts. Then, tuck and roll the rolls up nice and snug.
I serve these warm, with extra Tamari, chili paste, and toasted sesame oil. Plus, green onions too.
These wraps come together so quickly and have so much flavor, which you know we love! And I really appreciate all the fresh colors โ the best kind of recipe! I absolutely love Thai-inspired dishes.
Looking for other quick weeknight dinners? Here are some favorites:
Chili Crisp Chicken Mango Cucumber Rice Bowl
30 Minute Caramelized Shallot Beef Ramen Noodles
Healthier Homemade One Pot Hamburger Helper
Coconut Popcorn Chicken with Sweet Thai Chili Lime Sauce
30 Minute Sticky Thai Meatballs with Sesame Noodles
Better Than Takeout Sweet Thai Basil Chicken
Spicy Chipotle Honey Salmon Bowls
Thai Basil Beef and Lemongrass Rice Bowls
Lastly, if you make these 20 Minute Thai Basil Beef Rolls, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, donโt forget to tag me on Instagram or Facebook! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
20 Minute Thai Basil Beef Rolls
Ingredientsย
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, (or chicken or pork)
- black pepper
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger, ( or 1/4 cup candied ginger)
- 1-3 teaspoons Chinese 5 spice
- 1/3 cup tamari or soy sauce
- 1/4 cup Thai chili sauce , (homemade in notes)
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 4 Persian cucumbers, chopped
- 2 cups cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 cup Thai basil, chopped
- 1/3 cup chopped roasted peanuts
- 8-10 flour tortillas, warmed
- chili paste, for serving
- toasted sesame oil, for serving
Instructionsย
- 1. In a large skillet, cook the beef with black pepper over medium heat, breaking up the meat as it cooks until browned, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger, and Chinese 5 spice, cook another minute. Add the tamari and sweet Thai chili sauce. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until the sauce coats the beef, 3-5 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons of chopped green onions. remove from the heat. 2. Place one tortilla at a time in the microwave for 15 seconds. Spoon the beef down the center, then top with cucumber, cilantro, basil, green onion, and peanuts. Fold the tortilla over the filling. Then fold the sides and ends of the tortillas over the filling and roll forward. Repeat with remaining ingredients.3. Serve warm with extra soy, chili paste, and toasted sesame oil for dipping. To make this a dinner, serve with rice on the side.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
This looks amazing, I canโt wait to try it! Can you tell me what brand of tortillas you used? Those ones specifically look amazing!!
Thanks so much, Eva! I used my homemade tortillas. You can find the recipe here:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/homemade-flour-tortillas/
Please let me know if you have any other questions!
Great weekday meal. The homemade Thai chili sauce is definitely worth making as it dialed up the authentic Thai flavour.
Hey Sully,
Happy Sunday! I’m thrilled to hear this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for making it!
Amazing and complex flavor!! We absolutely loved these wraps, especially after they’re toasted in a pan with a bit of butter. We ate the leftovers as bowls with cilantro lime rice. I made it with beef and I’m going to try it with chicken next. so delicious and easy!!
Hey Jennifer,
Wonderful! I appreciate you making this recipe and taking the time to comment, so glad it was enjoyed!
Have a great weekend!
I have made these before and they were so good. I’m making them again this Saturday for a dinner party. Wondering if you have a side dish or salad you would recommend to go with it. I am making pot stickers for an appetizer.
Thanks so much, Connie! Sure, here are some ideas for you:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/orange-chicken-salad/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/wonton-chicken-salad/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/soy-sauce-butter-fried-rice/
I hope this helps!
This is delicious! I made it for dinner tonight with a few tweaks. I ended up making a rice bowl with the meat mixture and cucumbers on top. Topped with the extra sauces and cilantro. I ran out of green onion, so I used pickled onion on top which added a lovely tang. I will definitely make it again!
Hey Caitlin,
Happy Friday! Big thanks for making this recipe and sharing back. So glad it hit the spot!
Is it safe to use spring roll wraps instead of tortillas?
Hey Omega,
Sure, I don’t see why not! Please let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it!
Have a great Tuesday!
I made this recipe without cilantro (because I forgot to buy it) and it was delicious!!! Ate the leftover over rice and it was also great!
I will definitely make it again.
Hey Giovana,
Perfect! Thanks for making this recipe and your comment, so glad it was enjoyed!
Have a great weekend!
Hi! Which brand or wraps are you using? I struggle to find one I like. Thanks!
Hey Nicola,
I used my homemade tortilla recipe!
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/homemade-flour-tortillas/
Please let me know if you have any other questions!
That is very good! Made it with split recipes beef and chicken both were equally good. Thank you!
Hey Brin,
Thanks so much! Love to hear you enjoyed this recipe, I appreciate you making it! Have a great day!
I used about a pound of a small tenderloin and because I am far from the grocery store (Grand Lake Co) I used some gochujang instead of the chili sauce. Such an awesome recipe and definitely will make again.
Hey Marjorie,
Happy Sunday! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, I am so glad to hear this recipe turned out nicely for you!
Can I make this with rice paper instead of tortillas?
Hey Blair,
Sure, I don’t see why not! I would just be careful not to add too much filling. I hope you love this recipe!
What brand of tortilla did you use? Yours look so much better than what I find at the store
Hi Leanna,
I actually like to use my homemade recipe:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/homemade-flour-tortillas/
Please let me know if you have any other questions!
Made this tonight and the flavors and ease of this make it a 10/10! I did pork plus added some mint to my herbs on top and it hit the “Thai takeout” flavor I was looking for tonight.
Hey Sav,
Fantastic! So kind of you to try this recipe and leave feedback, I’m glad it was a hit!
Soooo good! Took me much longer than the estimated time frame because I handmade the tortillas and the sweet chili sauce as per everyoneโs recommendation. This meal was highly flavourful. I served with some left over sweet chili sauce, peanut sauce and roasted sesame on the side. My husband talked about it for 20 min after and said it was one of his favourites. My only negative is that it was a tad salty due to the soy. Next time I will cut it by 1/4 or try tamari but other than that, amazing recipe!
Hi Sarah,
I’m grateful you tried the recipe and took the time to comment. Delighted it turned out! Happy Sunday!