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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.
In the Homemade Sweet Thai Chili recipe, when it asks for chili sauce, is it any chili sauce or Thai chili sauce?
Hi Elaine,
It’s going to be something like Gochujang or Sriracha. if you want to buy Thai chili sauce then you can just use that rather than making my homemade recipe:) Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xx
Hi! Made this recipe last night! So delicious and so easy to make!! Thank you for this wonderful recipe!
Hi Hayley,
Happy Wednesday!!🍊🍋 I appreciate you trying this recipe and your feedback, so glad to hear that it turned out well for you! xx
Just made these for the first time and SO. DANG. EASY. (and obviously delicious) If you like Thai flavors this is a way to get that fix quick and easy at home!
Hi Kelsey,
Happy Monday!!🇺🇸😎 I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your feedback, so glad to hear it was a winner! xT
My family is always weary of me trying something new but I love exploring with cooking. Anyway, while I was making this, I was sure it was going to flop BUT IT WAS A HUGE hit!!!! My husband said it was one of the best things I’ve cooked. Haha! It’s so easy and sooo fresh tasting (it’s definitely something that you can’t judge until it’s all assembled since the basil, cilantro, cucumber, and peanuts bring it all together). Perfect for summer and was very easy to prep and cook. Thanks for the great recipe 🙂
Hey there,
Lol love to hear this!! So glad your family enjoyed the recipe and I appreciate you giving it a try:) xT
“YUMMMMY” – as Oslo would say!!!! I used beyond beef bc it’s what i had on hand… added some finely chopped jalapeno, regular basil bc I didn’t have Thai, used TJ’s sweet chili sauce to save time. I also charred store bought flour tortillas over the gas flame on my stove. Soooo good! Love that thgis recipe is adaptable to what’s in your pantry/fridge. Next time I will make homemade tortillas and chili sauce ! Another great recipe by Tieghan!!!!!
Hey Kris,
Happy Friday! LOL I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks a lot for making it and sharing your review!🍓🍑 xT
Loved these rolls . I used steak strips sirloin , vs hamburger because this is what I had available. I made them for my son and several friends they gobbled them up. Proud of myself I went for the home tortilla roll ups. They were pretty easy and much better flavor and texture than store bought . We also tried the pineapple spice margarita drink was also a big hit too. Thanks half baked.
Hi Andrea,
Happy Monday!! Thanks so much for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it turned out well for you! Have a great week! xT
Yummy flavors! I used ground elk and Siete almond flour tortillas so they were more like tacos, but still delish. There was enough flavor so we didn’t need the dipping sauce. I also added some avocado with the cucumber pieces.
Hi Sydney,
Awesome!! Love that you were able to use the elk in this recipe, thanks so much for making it and sharing your feedback! xx
Good recipe. The mango really makes the flavors pop.
Hi Christy,
Happy Sunday!!🏖️🌤️ I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your feedback, so glad to hear that it turned out well for you! xT
Can I ask how the rolls were baked or cooked once they are assembled? That part seems to be left out of the recipe
Hi Breanna,
They aren’t:) I used my homemade tortillas so I warmed them on a skillet first. Please let me know if I can help in any other way! xx
i don’t see mango in the recipe list?
She may have just added some by choice:)
So yummy. I added a good amount of red pepper flakes. I will make again!
Hi Dori,
Wonderful!! I love to hear that you have been enjoying this recipe and appreciate your notes and feedback! xT
Can’t wait to try this. What type of tortilla did you use? I was confused reading the recipe after seeing the pictures. The pictures look like something thinner than a traditional tortilla and also looked like they have been fried/ baked.
Hi Chery,
I used my homemade tortilla recipe:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/homemade-flour-tortillas/
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
On step 3 where you say use soysauce, chili paste and toasted sasame oil for dipping sause. Is this combined or seperate?
Hi Rianna,
Those are separate:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
This is such a delious meal. I love the homemade chili sauce
Hi Teresa,
Happy Friday!!🍪🍦 Thanks so much for trying this recipe and sharing your feedback, so glad to hear that it turned out well for you! xT
We made this with ground chicken and it was SO GOOD! Can’t wait to make it again. The flavors are so tasty. Think I might add red bell peppers and carrot strips next time…Love the idea from another commenter to use rice paper wrappers instead. Yum!
Hi Katy,
Amazing!! Love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks so much for making it and your comment! xx
What veggies would you pair these with for someone who hates cucumber?
HI Eden,
Carrots would be great to use!! Let me know if I can help in any other way, I hope you love this recipe! xT
Great! Easy recipe. Wrapped leftovers in rice paper and added in avocado and pineapple. Dipped in peanut sauce. Really good both ways!
Hey Autumn,
Thanks so much!! I love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you and I appreciate you making it! Have a great weekend:)
So delicious! The wrap itself was so flavorful that we didn’t need any dipping sauce. Will definitely be making again. Thanks for posting such delicious and beautiful recipes for us to enjoy 🙂
Hi Ann,
Happy Wednesday!🌤️🌸 I appreciate you making this recipe and your comment, so glad to hear that it turned out well for you! xx
Extremely delicious and worth making the sauce myself! I will for sure make this again! The only thing that I will say is that it took way longer than 20 minutes. The beef itself, if I had used store bought sweet chili sauce probably would have taken 20 min, but if you include all the other stuff, (chopping herbs, peanuts, cucumber, making sweet chili sauce) it was closer to an hour.
Thanks so much Amy!! Love to hear that you enjoyed this recipe, sorry to hear it took a little longer than expected! Have a great Sunday! xT