20 Minute Thai Basil Beef Rolls Recipe
These 20 Minute Thai Basil Beef Rolls combine savory ground beef infused with fragrant Thai herbs and spices, wrapped in delicate rice paper with fresh vegetables and herbs. This quick and flavorful recipe offers a perfect balance of textures and tastes, making it an ideal light meal or appetizer bursting with authentic Thai-inspired flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (approximately 8-10 rolls) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 shallots, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon ginger paste
- 1 tablespoon lemongrass, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 cup Thai basil leaves, torn
Fresh Roll Ingredients
- 2 scallions, julienned
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
- Gem lettuce leaves or similar
- 1 avocado, sliced
- Rice paper rolls
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef: Heat a little oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until well-browned, breaking it apart with a cooking spoon to ensure even browning and allow the Maillard reaction to develop rich, caramelized flavors.
- Add Herbs and Spices: Once browned, add minced garlic, ginger paste, chopped lemongrass, and Chinese five-spice powder. Stir well to combine and let the aromatics infuse the beef for about 1-2 minutes.
- Incorporate Sauces and Simmer: Add finely chopped shallots, soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, and fresh lime juice. Stir and allow the mixture to simmer gently for a few minutes until flavors meld together.
- Fold in Thai Basil: Turn off the heat and fold in torn Thai basil leaves, letting their fragrant aroma permeate the beef mixture fully.
- Prepare Rice Paper Rolls: Fill a shallow dish with warm water and soak each rice paper sheet individually for about 10 seconds or until just soft. Lay softened sheets on a slightly damp cloth kitchen towel to prevent sticking or tearing.
- Fill and Roll: Place a spoonful of the beef mixture at the center of each rice paper. Top with julienned scallions, chopped cilantro, gem lettuce leaves, and sliced avocado. Fold in the sides of the rice paper, then tightly roll from bottom up to enclose the filling.
- Serve: Arrange the rolls on a platter and serve immediately with sweet chili sauce or a tangy lime and fish sauce dip for extra flavor enhancement.
Notes
- For best results, do not over-soak the rice paper—it should remain pliable but not too soft to avoid tearing.
- You can substitute ground beef with ground chicken or pork if preferred.
- Add fresh chili slices to the filling for an extra spicy kick.
- Prepare dipping sauces in advance to enhance serving time.
- This recipe is best enjoyed fresh as rice paper rolls tend to harden if stored for too long.
Keywords: Thai basil beef rolls, rice paper rolls, Asian appetizers, quick Thai recipe, fresh spring rolls
