Thai Basil Beef Rolls Recipe

Introduction

Thai Basil Beef Rolls are a fresh and flavorful appetizer perfect for any occasion. These rolls combine savory ground beef infused with fragrant Thai basil and spices, wrapped in delicate rice paper. They’re light, easy to make, and great served with a tangy dipping sauce.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small shallot, finely chopped
• 1 pound ground beef (85/15)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes or 1 minced Thai chili
• 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves, chopped
• 8 to 10 rice paper wrappers
• 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves (optional)
• 1/2 cup cilantro leaves (optional)
• 1/4 cup sliced green onion (optional)
• 1/4 cup julienned carrots or cucumbers (optional)
• 1/4 cup dipping sauce (soy-lime or chili-garlic blend)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the minced garlic and chopped shallot until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
2. Step 2: Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks.
3. Step 3: Stir in the soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, and chili flakes. Let the mixture simmer for 2 to 3 minutes while stirring occasionally.
4. Step 4: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the fresh lime juice and chopped Thai basil. Let the beef mixture cool slightly.
5. Step 5: Fill a shallow plate with warm water to soften the rice paper. Arrange your beef filling, herbs, and optional veggies near your rolling area.
6. Step 6: Dip one rice paper wrapper into the warm water for 5 to 10 seconds, then lay it flat on a clean surface.
7. Step 7: Place a spoonful of beef filling and some fresh herbs and veggies near the bottom edge of the wrapper.
8. Step 8: Fold the bottom of the wrapper over the filling, tuck in the sides, and roll it up tightly to form a neat roll.
9. Step 9: Repeat the process with the remaining wrappers and filling.
10. Step 10: Slice the rolls in half and serve with your preferred dipping sauce on the side.

Tips & Variations

• For extra crunch, add shredded carrots, cucumbers, or water chestnuts inside the rolls.
• Use ground chicken or turkey for a lighter protein option.
• Substitute Thai basil with regular basil if unavailable, though the flavor will be milder.
• Prepare the filling ahead of time and refrigerate to make assembly quicker.
• Serve with a classic peanut sauce for a different dipping experience.

Storage

Store any leftover rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day, as rice paper tends to harden over time. Keep the dipping sauce separate and serve fresh for best texture. Reheating is not recommended because the rice paper may become soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these ahead of time?

It’s best to assemble Thai Basil Beef Rolls just before serving to keep the rice paper tender and the herbs fresh. You can prepare the beef filling a few hours in advance and refrigerate it.

What can I use if I don’t have Thai basil?

If you can’t find Thai basil, regular sweet basil is a good substitute. Although it lacks the unique anise-like flavor, it will still add a lovely herbal note to the dish.

Thai Basil Beef Rolls Recipe

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Thai Basil Beef Rolls are a fresh and flavorful appetizer featuring ground beef sautéed with aromatic garlic, shallots, soy, oyster sauce, and spicy chili flakes, combined with fragrant Thai basil. The savory beef mixture is wrapped in delicate rice paper along with fresh herbs and crunchy veggies, creating a delicious and light roll perfect for dipping in tangy soy-lime or chili-garlic sauce. These rolls are easy to make on the stovetop and offer a vibrant taste of Thai-inspired cuisine.

• Author: Tara
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 8 to 10 rolls 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Thai

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Filling

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small shallot, finely chopped
• 1 pound ground beef (85/15)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes or 1 minced Thai chili
• 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves, chopped

Wrap & Herbs

• 8 to 10 rice paper wrappers
• 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves (optional)
• 1/2 cup cilantro leaves (optional)
• 1/4 cup sliced green onion (optional)
• 1/4 cup julienned carrots or cucumbers (optional)

Dipping Sauce

• 1/4 cup dipping sauce (soy-lime or chili-garlic blend)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Aromatics: Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and finely chopped shallot, sautéing until they become fragrant and slightly softened, about 1-2 minutes.
2. Cook the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook while breaking it apart with a spoon until it is fully browned and no longer pink, approximately 5-7 minutes.
3. Add Flavorings: Stir in the soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, and chili flakes. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes so the flavors meld together.
4. Finish the Filling: Remove the skillet from heat, then stir in the fresh lime juice and chopped Thai basil leaves. Let the mixture cool slightly to make it easier to handle when rolling.
5. Set Up Rolling Station: Fill a shallow plate with warm water. Arrange the rice paper wrappers, cooked beef mixture, fresh herbs (mint, cilantro), sliced green onion, and vegetables (carrots or cucumbers) nearby for easy assembly.
6. Soften Rice Paper Wrappers: Dip one rice paper wrapper into the warm water for 5 to 10 seconds until it becomes pliable. Carefully lay it flat on a clean, dry surface.
7. Add Fillings to Wrapper: Place a portion of the beef filling near the bottom edge of the wrapper. Add mint leaves, cilantro, green onion slices, and julienned veggies as desired on top of the beef.
8. Roll the Wrapper: Fold the bottom edge over the filling, tuck in the sides snugly, and continue rolling tightly until sealed, forming a neat roll.
9. Repeat: Continue the dipping and rolling process with remaining rice papers and filling until all ingredients are used.
10. Serve: Slice each roll in half diagonally and serve immediately with your choice of soy-lime or chili-garlic dipping sauce on the side.

Notes

• Make sure the beef filling is warm but not too hot when assembling the rolls to prevent tearing the rice paper wrappers.
• The optional herbs and vegetables add freshness and crunch but can be adjusted according to preference or availability.
• If rice paper becomes too sticky or tears, use a fresh wrapper and ensure dipping time is not too long or too short.
• For a spicier kick, increase chili flakes or add sliced fresh Thai chilies inside the rolls.
• Serve immediately as rice paper rolls are best enjoyed fresh to maintain texture and flavor.

Keywords: Thai basil beef rolls, rice paper rolls, Thai appetizer, fresh spring rolls, ground beef rolls, Thai basil recipe, easy Thai rolls