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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.
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
Servings: 8 rolls
Calories Per Serving: 392 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Watch the How-To Reel
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
Homemade Sweet Thai Chili Sauce: Mix 1/3 cup honey, 2 tablespoons ketchup, 1-2 tablespoons chili sauce, 2 teaspoons lime zest, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 2 teaspoons tamari or soy sauce, 1 tablespoon grated ginger, and 1 clove grated garlic in a glass jar. Shake or stir well. Use as directed.
This post was originally published on April 17, 2023
You will want these every night. Sooooo good! Definitely get the 5 Spice and the Thai Basil. Makes the dish. I actually used tiny beef cubes and they were excellent. You will love these!
Lol thanks so much Sandy!! So glad to hear that you enjoyed this recipe:) Have a great week! xT
Delicious!!! Great recipe! I added avocado (bc they were perfectly ripe) and a little mint. I think the homemade sweet chili sauce was the key. This is going in the rotation.
Hey Jackie,
Happy Monday!! I am so glad to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it! xx
The link to the chili paste is for Thai red curry paste. Is that a mistake? Did you mean Chili Garlic Sauce or Sambal Oelek?
Hi Alex,
If you are not using the homemade recipe, then you can use the Thai sweet red chili that is linked:) Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xT
Hii could you add the recipe for the tortillas to this please? They look SO much better than any I’ve ever seen 🙂 Thank you!!!
Yes! I need the tortilla
recipe as well! These will only be good served that way! The flour ones that you linked in the recipe just won’t do!
Hi Tina,
I made my own homemade flour tortillas:
https://fett-weg.today/beef-rolls/%3C/a%3E%3Cbr /> Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
Hi Carolin,
Here you go:
https://fett-weg.today/beef-rolls/%3C/a%3E%3Cbr /> Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xx
Didn’t have 5 spice but used Garam Masala instead. This was delicious!! The cucumbers are a great addition! I’ll do more next time. I also fried the tortillas a bit to make crispy. Thanks for another great, easy recipe!
Hey there,
Happy Sunday!!☀️🧁 I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your review, so glad to hear that it turned out well for you! xT
In the picture it looks like you fry the tortillas. How do you suggest this be done?
Hey Michele,
I would just toss them on a skillet for a few seconds:) Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx
Quick question: what would you pair these with (inside the burrito) for someone who hates cucumber? I love cucumber but unfortunately my partner hates it. I want to make these and find a way to accommodate him. Thanks!
Hey Eden,
Carrots would be great to use in place of the cucumber! Let me know if I can help in any other way, I hope you love this recipe! xx
My family loved these! They’ll definitely be added to the rotation.
Hey Stephanie,
Perfect!! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I’m so glad it was delish! Have a great weekend:) xx
Really great flavor and easy to make ! I think they would be even better if you substituted rice paper for the tortilla – I’m going to try that next time!
Hey Nellie,
Amazing!! So glad to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks so much for trying it out! xx
Perfect weeknight meal!
Hey Veronica,
Fantastic!! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I’m so glad it was delish! Have a great weekend:) xx
These sound so good! Any suggestions for what I can use instead of cilantro? My DH really doesn’t like it–says it tastes like soap! Thx
Hey Patti,
Parsley or just stick with the basil, there will still be plenty of flavor:) Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xT
Delicious! The homemade Thai chili sauce is amazing and my new absolute fave! A little drizzle in the rice was also pretty tasty. Thanks for another great recipe!
Hey Jamie,
Fantastic!! I appreciate you making this recipe and your comment, so glad to hear it was delish! xT
Really great! I made a version of the chili sauce bc we don’t have it in our grocery. I didn’t have Chinese spice either so just substituted with black pepper, clove and fennel. My kids had this with street taco tortillas and my husband and I ate with lettuce wraps. So good! Everyone said to make this again.:)
Hey Kristen,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for making this recipe and your comment, love to hear that it was delish! xT
Hi Tieghan, a question about the tortillas…in your photo it looks like your tortillas are a little crispy, not just microwaved. Did you do something different to them? Thank you!
Hi Melanie,
I made these homemade, so that might be the difference:) You can also toss them on a skillet if you want a little crisp. I hope this helps! xx
What size tortillas do you use? Your link goes to a 6-in but yours look gigantic.
Hey Haley,
You can really make these any size that you like, I made my tortillas homemade so they are on the larger side. Please let know if you have any other questions! xT
Absolutely outstanding! Must make the sweet chili sauce. So worth it. I added the coconut rice to the roll instead as a side dish. I also heated the tortilla in cast iron pan with evoo to get a bit crispy. Thanks a million for this recipe. Brilliant! Cheryl
Hey Cheryl,
Happy Wednesday!! 🍉🍓 Thanks a bunch for testing out this recipe, I’m so glad to hear that it turned out well for you! xT