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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.
Truly so delicious & worth the time but title should be revised to 90 minute Thai Basil Beef Rolls cuz that took me FOREVER. Still love you, Tieghan.
Thank you for the feedback!
soo delicious, made this 5 times already!
Thank you so much! xT
Hi Tieghan,
So excited to try this recipe! I’m from LA and am really curious, if you can share – what is Caitlyn’s favorite restaurant for beef rolls??
Another great, simple to prepare meal. I used this for a meal prep recipe and reheated a roll or two each day for lunch, and still tasted great and held up well.
Thank you! So happy you loved these beef rolls! xT
This is my first time making this recipe. I’m vegetarian and substituted Gardein “the ultimate beefless ground” for the ground beef. I didn’t have Chinese 5 spice so I used Garam masala instead. It turned out great! I served with a side a coconut rice. Thank you for a wonderful recipe!
So glad to hear this recipe was enjoyed! Have a great day! xT
So easy and so, SO delicious! Thank you for a fantastic recipe!
Hey there! Thanks so much for trying out the recipe! I’m sooo glad you loved it! xT
The whole family, even the kids loved it!!! Will definitely be making this again – thank you for sharing!
Hey Shannon! So happy to hear it was a hit with the whole fam! xT
Would give this one 10 stars if I could! So fast, easy, and delicious! DH allergic to soy so subbed in coconut aminos. Made it with ground Turkey instead of beef. Used Gochujang for dipping and lime wedges on the side. Can’t believe how flavorful this was. Will make fantastic leftovers, too 🙂 Thanks, Tieghan!
Hey Julie,
Amazing!! I appreciate you giving this recipe a try and sharing your review, so glad to hear it was a winner! xx
Easy! Went double ginger and added some lime juice to the cucumber salad mix. I did his with brown rice and made bowls as an option and also did your homemade flour tortillas. SO good. THANK YOU. You keep us well fed 🙂
Hi Holly,
Fantastic!! So glad to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks for making it:)
For Homemade Sweet Thai Chili Sauce: Is it add chili sauce or chili paste? Love your recipes and cookbooks. So colorful. Thx
Hi Julie,
You’ll want to use chili sauce, something like gochujang or sriracha works well here! Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xT
Could you substitute a different seasoning combination? My family doesn’t like Chinese 5 spice because of the anise and clove, but everything else about this recipe sounds perfect!
Hi Ann,
Sure, you could use something else that you enjoy, it’s obviously just going to change the flavors in this recipe:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
This is the second time I’ve made this for my peeps. It is SO easy and good! Some make bowls, some do the wraps….
I made a double batch this time and it is STILL gone after one evening. You knocked it outta the park, Tiegen.
xo
Thanks so much Dawn!! I love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you and appreciate you making it! Happy Friday!
You mentioned cooking rice in coconut milk for this recipe but I don’t see rice in the rolls. Do use rice?
So sorry for any confusion Elise! You could definitely make rice for this if you wanted to, but you definitely don’t have to! Let me know if you give this recipe a try! xT
Definitely cook again
Hi Katherine,
Fantastic!!🍒🍉 I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your comment, so glad to hear it was a winner! xx
One of my favorite recipes! Simple and delish!
Hi Lindsay,
Fantastic!!🍒🍉 I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your comment, so glad to hear it was a winner! xx
These look delicious but the photo definitely looks like the rolls have been fried, like a spring roll. Is this a revised recipe from the original?
Hi Michelle,
It’s not, I used my homemade tortilla recipe so I lightly warmed them in a skillet to make them more pliable. You could definitely do that too! Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT