20 Minute Thai Basil Beef Rolls Recipe
These 20 Minute Thai Basil Beef Rolls are a quick and flavorful meal combining seasoned ground beef with fresh herbs and crunchy vegetables, wrapped in warm flour tortillas. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or casual gathering, they offer a delicious taste of Thai-inspired flavors with easy preparation and customizable serving options.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients
Beef Mixture
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef (or chicken)
- Black pepper, to taste
- 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 (see notes for homemade version)
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
Fresh Toppings
- 4 Persian cucumbers, chopped
- 2 cups cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 cup Thai basil, chopped
- 1/3 cup chopped roasted peanuts
Assembly and Serving
- 8-10 flour tortillas, warmed
- Chili paste, for serving
- Toasted sesame oil, for serving
Instructions
- Cook the Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with black pepper, breaking up the meat as it cooks until browned, about 5 minutes.
- Add Aromatics and Spices: Stir in the chopped garlic, grated ginger, and Chinese 5-spice powder. Cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
- Simmer with Sauce: Pour in the tamari or soy sauce and the Thai chili sauce. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickly coats the beef. Stir in 2 tablespoons of chopped green onions, then remove the skillet from heat.
- Warm the Tortillas: Place one tortilla at a time in the microwave and heat for 15 seconds until warm and pliable for rolling.
- Assemble the Rolls: Spoon a portion of the cooked beef down the center of each warm tortilla. Top with chopped cucumber, cilantro, Thai basil, the remaining green onions, and roasted peanuts.
- Roll the Tortillas: Fold the tortilla over the filling, then fold in the sides and ends snugly and roll forward to enclose the filling completely. Repeat this process for all tortillas and filling.
- Serve: Serve the beef rolls warm with extra soy sauce, chili paste, and toasted sesame oil on the side for dipping. For a complete meal, pair with steamed rice.
Notes
- For the Thai chili sauce, you can use store-bought sweet chili sauce or make a homemade version by combining red chili flakes, garlic, vinegar, sugar, and water simmered until thickened.
- Ground chicken can be used instead of beef for a lighter variation.
- To keep rolls gluten-free, substitute flour tortillas with rice paper wraps or gluten-free tortillas.
- These rolls can be served as a main dish or cut smaller for appetizer-sized portions.