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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 Malachi’s girlfriend, Caitlyn, lives in LA. She’s been telling me about beef rolls she’ll sometimes get when she out to dinner. She’s 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 didn’t 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. It’s a blend of cinnamon, black pepper, star anise, cloves, and fennel.
Ingredients
- Ground beef
- Black pepper
- Garlic
- Fresh grated ginger
- Chinese 5 spice
- Tamari or soy sauce
- Thai chili sauce
- Chopped green onions
- Persian cucumbers
- Cilantro
- Thai basil
- Chopped roasted peanuts
- Flour tortillas
- Chili paste
- Toasted sesame oil
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. It’s 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 you’re 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!! It’s really easy to mix up this stir fry if you’re 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 – 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, don’t 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
Ingredients
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
These are so good and so easy! Loved them! The flavor was so so satisfying. I love 5 spice!!! We made this with ground bison which was delicious. I did make the Thai chili from scratch and was curious what “chili sauce” is? I used chili garlic sauce and only used about a teaspoon. Tasted good!
Hey Martha,
Happy Memorial Day weekend!🇺🇸 I love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks a bunch for making it! I used gochujang in my homemade recipe:) xx
First time using five spice and it did not disappoint! These were really unique and really good. And they came together faster than I expected! All your recipes always include a lot of garnishes, but they are always always worth the extra prep time!! Thanks again for another delicious recipe, Tieghan!
Hey Leanne,
Happy Sunday!! So glad to hear you enjoyed this recipe, thanks a lot for making it and your review! xT
Those look like homemade tortillas! Can I get the recipe please?
Hi Melissa,
You bet:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/homemade-flour-tortillas/
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
This was absolutely delicious! I used 85/15 ground beef and it was perfect. I mixed soy sauce, sweet Thai chili sauce and a splash of sesame oil as the dipping sauce, and loved it. I didn’t have Thai basil so subbed regular. The leftover meat warmed up beautifully the next day for lunch. Great flavor and very easy!
Hi Julie,
Happy Thursday! I am so glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it:)
So good and easy!
Thanks so much Cali!! I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your feedback, so glad to hear the rolls were a hit! xT
What wraps do you use in your pictures?! They look so yummy and way better than the typical mission brand ones we normally get.
Hi Nicole,
I used my homemade tortilla recipe:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/homemade-flour-tortillas/
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Have had this saved from Instagram forever and finally made this evening. Substituted ground goat. Definitely a do-over!
Hi there,
Happy Monday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe turned out well for you and I appreciate you making it! xT
When you say “chili sauce” in the homemade Sweet Thai Chili Sauce recipe, are you referring to Sambal Oelek?
Hi Stephanie,
Yes, that is correct:) Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xT
I don’t believe that Sambal Oelek is the same thing as Sweet Thai Chili Sauce
They aren’t:) She is referring to the sauce that I used to make my homemade Sweet Thai Chili Sauce. Please let me know if I can help in any other way! xx
My family and I are transitioning to a plant-based diet and I was looking for tasty vegan meals. I substituted Impossible meat for the beef and man, these are amazing! I’m getting ready to make our third week of meal prep with them and my fam can’t get enough. Thanks so much for this one, and I’ve been loving your book!
Hey Nicki,
Happy Friday!!😎 I am thrilled to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks so much for making it and your review! xT
Just made this for dinner and it was a huge hit! Everyone in my family loved it and already said they want me to make it again. It truly only took 20 minutes to make and was minimal clean up!
Hey Rachel,
Amazing!! So glad to hear that this dish was enjoyed and thanks a bunch for making it! xx
What could you use in place of the cucumbers? My partner hates cucumbers and I want to make these but have an alternative filling for him. Thanks!
Hi Eden,
Carrots would also work well for you! Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xT
These are soooo yummy!! And easy! I even put the leftover filling in my bowl of ramen the next day- game changer!!!
Hi Natalie,
Awesome!! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe and your comment, so glad to hear it turned out well for you! xT
Ah gal you are the best; these are finger licking so so so good; the will definitely be in my rotation; I’ll continue to pray for you to give us more of your exceptional talent and God continue to bless you immensely; thank you 🙏
Lol love to hear this Nancy!! So glad the recipe was a hit and thanks a bunch for making it! xT
Sooo good, and worth it to make the homemade tortillas. Since I made the tortillas in advance, after I rolled them, I put them back in the pan to crisp them up and try and get them to stay rolled. They may not look as nice as your picture, but they were really delicious.
Hi Christina,
Happy Wednesday!! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for making it!☀️🌈 xT
Oh my heavens. So good. Loved the flavors.
Thanks so much Mary!! So glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed and I appreciate you making it! xT
Hi! Can you share the recipe for the tortillas you used with these? Thank you!
Hi Rion,
You bet:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/homemade-flour-tortillas/
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
This was delicious! Super easy and very flavorful. I also added fresh mint since I can never get enough herbs
Hi April,
Love it!!🍪🍦 I am thrilled to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it and sharing your review!! xx