Thai Basil Beef Rolls: A Fresh & Flavorful Meal

Get ready to discover your new favorite weeknight dinner with these incredible Thai Basil Beef Rolls. This recipe wraps savory, spicy ground beef infused with aromatic Thai basil, crisp vegetables, and tender rice noodles in delicate rice paper wrappers. It’s a flavor explosion in every bite, delivering a perfect balance of fresh, savory, and spicy notes that will transport you straight to the streets of Thailand. Forget takeout—these fresh rolls are surprisingly easy to make at home and are guaranteed to impress.

We’ll walk you through everything, from creating a deeply flavorful beef filling to mastering the art of rolling with rice paper. Plus, we’ve included a simple yet addictive chili-lime dipping sauce that brings everything together. Let’s get rolling!

What Makes These Thai Basil Beef Rolls Special?

Unlike standard spring rolls, these Thai Basil Beef Rolls are served fresh (not fried) and packed with a warm, savory cooked beef filling. The star of the show is Thai basil, which has a distinct anise-like, slightly spicy flavor that’s much more potent and vibrant than its sweet Italian basil counterpart. This unique ingredient is what gives the dish its authentic character.

This recipe is perfect for an interactive dinner or a healthy, satisfying lunch. They are also highly customizable—feel free to add your favorite fresh herbs or vegetables to make them your own.

Ingredients You’ll Need

We’ve broken down the ingredients into three parts: the flavorful beef filling, the fresh roll components, and the zesty dipping sauce. Gathering everything before you start will make the process smooth and enjoyable.

For the Beef Filling:

• Avocado Oil: A neutral oil perfect for high-heat cooking.
• Garlic & Shallot: The aromatic foundation of our filling.
• Ground Beef: Use a lean ground beef (90/10) to avoid excess grease.
• Soy Sauce: For a savory, umami depth.
• Fish Sauce: A key ingredient in Thai cooking for its unique savory and salty flavor.
• Brown Sugar: To balance the saltiness and add a touch of caramel sweetness.
• Thai Basil: The star ingredient! Make sure it’s fresh for the best flavor.
• Lime Juice: A splash of fresh lime juice at the end brightens everything up.

For the Rolls & Dipping Sauce:

• Rice Paper Wrappers: Look for these in the international aisle of your supermarket.
• Vermicelli Rice Noodles: These thin noodles add a wonderful texture.
• Butter Lettuce: Provides a fresh, crisp crunch and a protective layer against the warm beef.
• Vegetables: We’re using shredded carrots and sliced cucumber for freshness and color.
• Dipping Sauce: A simple mix of fish sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, sugar, water, and a touch of chili garlic sauce for heat.

If you’re looking for another great beef recipe, this Slow Cooker Mediterranean Beef Stew is a comforting and hearty option.

How to Make Thai Basil Beef Rolls Step-by-Step

Follow these simple steps to create the most delicious fresh rolls. The key is to have all your components prepped and ready before you start assembling.

1. Cook the Rice Noodles

Start by preparing the vermicelli noodles according to the package directions. This usually involves a quick soak in hot water. Once tender, drain them completely and set aside. Cold noodles are easier to work with.

2. Prepare the Beef Filling

Heat the avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and shallot and cook for about a minute until fragrant. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it’s browned and cooked through. Drain off any excess fat.

Stir in the soy sauce, fish sauce, and brown sugar. Continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly and coats the beef. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the fresh Thai basil leaves and lime juice. Let the filling cool slightly before assembling the rolls.

3. Make the Dipping Sauce

This is the easiest part! In a small bowl, simply whisk together the fish sauce, rice vinegar, water, sugar, fresh lime juice, and chili garlic sauce. You can adjust the sweetness, sourness, or spice level to your liking. Set it aside.

Assembling Your Rolls: A Beginner’s Guide

Rolling with rice paper can seem tricky at first, but you’ll be a pro in no time with our tips. The secret is to work quickly but gently, and don’t overfill!

1. Hydrate the Rice Paper: Fill a shallow dish (a pie plate works well) with warm water. Submerge one sheet of rice paper for about 15-20 seconds, until it’s pliable but not overly limp. It will continue to soften as you work.
2. Layer the Ingredients: Lay the softened wrapper flat on a clean work surface. On the bottom third of the wrapper, place a piece of butter lettuce. Top it with a small handful of rice noodles, some shredded carrots, and cucumber slices.
3. Add the Beef: Spoon a modest amount (about 2-3 tablespoons) of the Thai basil beef filling on top of the vegetables.
4. Roll it Up: Fold the bottom edge of the rice paper up and over the filling, tucking it in snugly. Fold in the two sides, like you’re making a burrito. Finally, roll it up tightly to the top.
5. Repeat: Continue this process with the remaining wrappers and filling. Serve immediately with the prepared dipping sauce.

For another recipe that’s perfect for sharing, try these delicious Cheeseburger Sliders.

Tips for Success

• Don’t Oversoak: Soaking the rice paper for too long will make it tear easily. A quick dip is all you need.
• Prep is Key: Have all your ingredients chopped, cooked, and arranged before you start rolling. This makes assembly much faster.
• Lettuce as a Barrier: The lettuce leaf not only adds crunch but also helps prevent the warm beef filling from making the rice paper too soft.
• Serve Immediately: These rolls are best enjoyed fresh, as the rice paper can dry out or become tough over time.

Love ground beef recipes? This Ground Beef Philly Cheesesteak is a must-try!

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What is the difference between Thai basil and regular basil?

Thai basil has a sturdy, dark green leaf with purple stems and a distinct anise or licorice-like flavor that holds up well to cooking. Regular basil (or sweet basil) is more delicate with a sweeter, peppery taste.

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How do you keep rice paper from tearing when rolling?

The key is to not oversoak it. Dip the rice paper in warm water for only 15-20 seconds until it’s just pliable. It will continue to soften as you add your ingredients. Also, be gentle during the rolling process and avoid overfilling the rolls.

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What kind of beef is best for Thai beef rolls?

A lean ground beef, such as 90/10 or 93/7, is best for this recipe. It provides great flavor without making the filling overly greasy, which could cause the rice paper to become soggy.

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What sauce is typically served with Thai Basil Beef Rolls?

A classic Vietnamese-style dipping sauce called Nuoc Cham is the perfect pairing. It’s a simple, zesty sauce made from fish sauce, lime juice, water, sugar, and chili, creating a perfect balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy.

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Can I make these rolls ahead of time?

These rolls are best served immediately for the best texture. If you need to make them ahead, you can store them for a few hours by placing them in a single layer on a plate, covering them with a damp paper towel, and then wrapping them tightly with plastic wrap to prevent the wrappers from drying out.

Enjoy Your Homemade Thai Rolls!

Making these Thai Basil Beef Rolls at home is a rewarding experience that yields a fresh, healthy, and incredibly flavorful meal. We hope you love this recipe as much as we do. If you try it, let us know how it turned out in the comments below and don’t forget to share your creations on Pinterest!

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Thai Basil Beef Rolls: A Fresh & Flavorful Meal

An easy-to-follow recipe for Thai Basil Beef Rolls, featuring a savory ground beef filling, fresh vegetables, and a zesty chili-lime dipping sauce. Perfect for a healthy and delicious weeknight dinner that's packed with authentic Thai flavor.

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Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 4 people

Course: Appetizer, Dinner, Lunch, Main Course

Cuisine: Asian, Thai

Calories: 480

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x?

For the Beef Filling

• 1 tbsp Avocado Oil
• 3 cloves Garlic minced
• 1 Shallot finely chopped
• 1 lb Lean Ground Beef 90/10 recommended
• 2 tbsp Soy Sauce low sodium
• 1 tbsp Fish Sauce
• 1 tsp Brown Sugar packed
• 1 cup Fresh Thai Basil Leaves packed
• 1 tbsp Lime Juice freshly squeezed

For the Rolls

• 12 Rice Paper Wrappers 8-inch diameter
• 4 oz Vermicelli Rice Noodles cooked according to package directions
• 1 head Butter Lettuce leaves separated
• 1 cup Carrots shredded
• 1 Cucumber julienned

For the Chili-Lime Dipping Sauce

• 1/4 cup Fish Sauce
• 1/4 cup Water
• 3 tbsp Lime Juice freshly squeezed
• 2 tbsp Rice Vinegar
• 2 tbsp Sugar
• 1 tsp Chili Garlic Sauce or more, to taste

Equipment

• 1 Large Skillet
• 1 Shallow Dish (for rice paper)
• 1 Small Bowl (for sauce)

Method

 

1. Prepare vermicelli rice noodles according to package instructions. Drain well, rinse with cold water, and set aside.
2. Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and shallot; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned. Drain excess fat.
3. Stir in the soy sauce, fish sauce, and brown sugar. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and stir in the fresh Thai basil and lime juice. Allow to cool slightly.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together all dipping sauce ingredients until the sugar is dissolved. Set aside.
5. Fill a shallow dish with warm water. Submerge one rice paper wrapper for 15-20 seconds until pliable. Lay it flat. On the bottom third, layer a lettuce leaf, a small amount of noodles, carrots, cucumber, and about 2-3 tablespoons of the beef filling.
6. Fold the bottom edge up over the filling, fold in the sides, and then roll tightly to the top. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
7. Serve the Thai Basil Beef Rolls immediately with the chili-lime dipping sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 480kcalProtein: 28gFat: 22gFiber: 4g

Notes

Don't oversoak the rice paper; a brief dip is all that's needed.
Have all ingredients prepped and ready before you begin assembling for a smooth process.
The rolls are best served fresh as the rice paper can dry out upon storing.

Keyword fresh spring rolls,rice paper rolls,Thai basil beef

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