Thai Basil Beef Rolls: A Fresh & Flavorful Recipe

Get ready to discover your new favorite appetizer or light meal: these incredible Thai Basil Beef Rolls. Packed with savory ground beef, fragrant basil, and crisp vegetables, all wrapped in a delicate rice paper wrapper, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Forget takeout; making these fresh and vibrant summer rolls at home is easier than you think and infinitely more rewarding. They’re the perfect combination of textures and flavors, balancing rich, savory notes with fresh, zesty brightness.

This recipe delivers an authentic taste experience that’s perfect for a healthy lunch, a sophisticated appetizer, or a light dinner. The savory beef filling is perfectly complemented by the sweet and spicy dipping sauce, creating a truly unforgettable bite. Let’s get rolling!

Why You’ll Love These Thai Basil Beef Rolls

There are so many reasons to adore this Thai Basil Beef Rolls recipe. First, it’s incredibly versatile. You can easily customize the fillings with your favorite vegetables or even swap the beef for chicken or tofu. Second, they are surprisingly simple to make once you get the hang of rolling the rice paper. Finally, these rolls are a healthy and light option that doesn’t skimp on flavor, making them a guilt-free indulgence you can enjoy anytime.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Before you start, gather all your ingredients. Having everything prepped and ready to go (a process called ‘mise en place’) makes the assembly process smooth and enjoyable.

For the Beef Filling

• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
• 2 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves, roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup shredded carrots

For the Rolls

• 12-15 sheets of rice paper (8-inch diameter)
• 1 cup cooked vermicelli rice noodles
• 1 large head of butter lettuce, leaves separated
• 1 cup fresh mint leaves
• 1 cup fresh cilantro sprigs
• 1 large cucumber, julienned

For the Peanut Dipping Sauce

• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/4 cup warm water
• 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp sriracha or chili garlic sauce (optional)
• 1 clove garlic, minced

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create the most delicious fresh summer rolls right in your own kitchen.

1. Cook the Thai Basil Beef

Start by heating the sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain off any excess grease. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for another minute until fragrant. Stir in the soy sauce, fish sauce, and brown sugar. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly. Remove from the heat and stir in the chopped Thai basil and shredded carrots. Set aside to cool.

2. Prepare Your Rolling Station

Cook the vermicelli noodles according to package directions, drain, and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set up a clean, flat work surface like a large cutting board. Fill a shallow dish (a pie plate works well) with warm water. Arrange your prepared ingredients—beef filling, cooked noodles, lettuce, mint, cilantro, and cucumber—in an assembly line for easy access.

3. Assemble the Thai Basil Beef Rolls

Submerge one sheet of rice paper in the warm water for about 15-20 seconds, or until it becomes soft and pliable. Be careful not to oversoak it. Lay the softened wrapper flat on your work surface. In the bottom third of the wrapper, layer a piece of butter lettuce, a small handful of vermicelli noodles, a few sprigs of mint and cilantro, and some julienned cucumber. Top with a generous spoonful of the Thai basil beef mixture. Fold the bottom edge of the rice paper over the filling, then fold in the sides. Roll it up tightly to the top, like a burrito. Repeat with the remaining ingredients. For a beautiful presentation, try adding a few basil or mint leaves on top of the filling before you make the final roll.

4. Make the Peanut Dipping Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together the creamy peanut butter and warm water until smooth. Add the hoisin sauce, lime juice, soy sauce, sriracha (if using), and minced garlic. Whisk until everything is well combined. If the sauce is too thick, add more warm water, one teaspoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency. For another amazing dipping sauce, check out this recipe for Texas Roadhouse Cinnamon Honey Butter, which could be an interesting fusion twist!

Pro Tips for Perfect Rolls

• Don’t Oversoak: The most common mistake is leaving the rice paper in the water for too long. A quick dip of 15-20 seconds is all it needs. It will continue to soften as you add your fillings.
• Work Quickly: Have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you start rolling. This makes the process much more efficient.
• Don’t Overstuff: It’s tempting to load up your rolls, but overstuffing makes them difficult to roll and more likely to tear. Start with less filling than you think you need.
• Keep Them Separated: Freshly made rolls are sticky. Place them on a platter with a little space between each one to prevent them from sticking together. If you’re looking for another great ground beef recipe, give our Ground Beef Philly Cheesesteaks a try.

Variations and Substitutions

This recipe is a great starting point, but feel free to get creative!

• Protein Swap: Try this with ground chicken, pork, or even crumbled tofu for a vegetarian option. Grilled shrimp is another classic choice.
• Add More Veggies: Bell peppers, bean sprouts, or sliced avocado would all be delicious additions.
• Make it Spicy: Add some sliced jalapeños or extra sriracha to the beef mixture for a spicy kick.

How to Store and Make Ahead

Thai Basil Beef Rolls are best enjoyed fresh. However, you can store them by wrapping each roll individually in plastic wrap and refrigerating for up to 24 hours. The rice paper may toughen slightly in the fridge. You can also prep all the components—the beef filling, vegetables, and sauce—up to 2 days in advance and store them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to eat, just assemble the rolls for the freshest taste and texture. For a make-ahead-friendly soup, you might also like this Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Delicious Recipes to Try

If you loved the fresh and savory flavors in this dish, we know you’ll enjoy exploring some of our other globally-inspired recipes. They are perfect for weeknight dinners and are sure to impress.

After making these delicious rolls, we hope you feel inspired to share your creations! Let us know how they turned out in the comments below, and don’t forget to save this recipe to your favorite board on Pinterest. Happy cooking!

Thai Basil Beef Rolls Recipe

FL Recipes

Thai Basil Beef Rolls: A Fresh & Flavorful Recipe

Discover how to make the best Thai Basil Beef Rolls at home! This easy recipe features savory ground beef, fresh herbs, and a delicious peanut dipping sauce. Perfect for a healthy appetizer, lunch, or light dinner.

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Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Appetizer, Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine: Thai, Vietnamese

Calories: 350

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x?

• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
• 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves, roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup shredded carrots
• 12-15 sheets rice paper (8-inch diameter)
• 1 cup cooked vermicelli rice noodles
• 1 large head butter lettuce, leaves separated
• 1 cup fresh mint leaves
• 1 cup fresh cilantro sprigs
• 1 large cucumber, julienned
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/4 cup warm water
• 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp sriracha or chili garlic sauce optional
• 1 clove garlic, minced

Equipment

• 1 Large Skillet
• 1 Large Cutting Board
• 1 Pie Plate or Shallow Dish

Method

 

1. Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess grease. Add garlic and ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in soy sauce, fish sauce, and brown sugar. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and stir in chopped Thai basil and shredded carrots. Set aside to cool.
2. Cook vermicelli noodles according to package directions; drain and rinse with cold water. Fill a shallow dish with warm water. Arrange all prepared ingredients (beef, noodles, lettuce, herbs, cucumber) on a clean work surface.
3. Submerge one rice paper sheet in warm water for 15-20 seconds until pliable. Lay it flat. In the bottom third, layer lettuce, noodles, herbs, cucumber, and the beef mixture. Fold the bottom edge over the filling, fold in the sides, and roll up tightly. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter and warm water until smooth. Add hoisin sauce, lime juice, soy sauce, sriracha (if using), and minced garlic. Whisk until well combined. Adjust consistency with more water if needed.

Nutrition

Calories: 350kcalProtein: 22gFat: 18gFiber: 4g

Notes

Don't oversoak the rice paper; a quick dip is all you need.
Have all ingredients prepped and ready before you start rolling to make the process easier.
Store leftover rolls individually wrapped in plastic in the fridge for up to 24 hours.

Keyword fresh spring rolls,summer rolls,Thai Basil Beef Rolls

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