Description
Savory Thai Basil Beef Rolls are quick, juicy, and irresistibly flavorful. These fresh wraps combine ground beef infused with Thai basil, garlic, and aromatic seasonings, wrapped in delicate rice paper sheets along with crisp mint, cilantro, julienned carrots, cucumbers, and green onions. Perfect as a light lunch or appetizer, these rolls are simple to prepare and packed with vibrant Southeast Asian flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Filling
- 1 tablespoon Vegetable Oil (canola or peanut oil substitute)
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 small Shallot, finely chopped
- 1 pound Ground Beef (85/15)
- 2 tablespoons Soy Sauce (Tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon Oyster Sauce (mushroom stir-fry sauce for vegetarian version)
- 1 teaspoon Brown Sugar (honey as alternative)
- 1 tablespoon Fresh Lime Juice
- ½ teaspoon Chili Flakes (or minced Thai chili)
- 1 cup Fresh Thai Basil Leaves, chopped
Roll Assembly
- 8-10 sheets Rice Paper Wrappers (lettuce for low-carb option)
- Fresh Mint Leaves
- Cilantro
- Green Onion
- Julienned Carrots
- Cucumbers
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef Mixture: Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and chopped shallot, sautéing until fragrant and translucent. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Stir in soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, lime juice, and chili flakes. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to meld flavors.
- Add Thai Basil: Remove the skillet from heat and mix in the chopped fresh Thai basil leaves. The residual heat will wilt the basil perfectly without losing its aroma.
- Prepare Rice Paper Wrappers: Soften rice paper wrappers one at a time by dipping them briefly in warm water, laying them flat on a clean surface for assembly.
- Assemble the Rolls: Place a spoonful of the beef mixture in the center of each softened rice paper. Add fresh mint leaves, cilantro, green onions, julienned carrots, and cucumber slices on top of the beef filling.
- Wrap the Rolls: Fold the sides of the rice paper over the filling, then roll tightly from the bottom to enclose all ingredients securely.
- Serve: Arrange the Thai basil beef rolls on a plate and serve immediately with your choice of dipping sauce, such as hoisin or peanut sauce.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with cooked mushrooms and use mushroom stir-fry sauce instead of oyster sauce.
- Tamari soy sauce is an excellent gluten-free substitute for traditional soy sauce.
- For a low-carb option, substitute rice paper wrappers with large lettuce leaves.
- Adjust chili flakes to preferred spiciness level or omit for mild taste.
- These rolls are best enjoyed fresh to maintain the crispness of the vegetables and freshness of herbs.
