Thai Basil Beef Rolls: A Flavor-Packed Thai-Inspired Delight

Thai Basil Beef Rolls are where Southeast Asian street food meets healthy modern eating. These crisp, herb-filled, beef-packed rolls deliver a satisfying crunch with layers of flavor. Whether wrapped in lettuce or rice paper, they’re a go-to for anyone who loves bold taste in a light, portable format.

Like many other easy Asian dishes you can make at home, this one combines spicy chili, fragrant basil, and savory beef, all ready in under 30 minutes. They make a perfect appetizer or light meal, especially when you’re craving something fresh and flavorful.

If you’re already a fan of flavor-packed beef recipes, check out the Ground Beef Hot Honey Bowl for another weeknight-friendly idea.

Why You’ll Love This Thai Basil Beef Rolls Recipe

If you’re craving a dish that’s bold in flavor, simple to make, and impressive to serve, this recipe checks all the boxes.

• Quick & Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes with minimal prep.
• Healthy & Light: Naturally low-carb, gluten-free (with lettuce or rice paper), and packed with fresh herbs.
• Versatile: Great as an appetizer, lunch, or light dinner, easy to meal prep or serve at parties.
• Customizable: Swap proteins, adjust spice levels, or wrap in different ways (lettuce, rice paper, egg roll wrappers).
• Authentic Flavor: Made with Thai basil, soy sauce, and chili, this dish captures real Thai-inspired taste.
• Perfect for Sharing: These rolls are finger-friendly, making them ideal for gatherings, potlucks, or weeknight family dinners.

You’ll love how fresh, savory, and satisfying each bite is, without needing a trip to a specialty store or hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients for Thai Basil Beef Rolls

To create the perfect roll, you’ll need a mix of classic Thai ingredients and a few customizable components. Here’s a breakdown:

Main Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef or thinly sliced flank steak
• 1 cup fresh Thai basil (or substitute with sweet basil if unavailable)
• 1 red or yellow bell pepper, julienned
• 4–6 lettuce leaves (butter lettuce, romaine, or iceberg)
  or rice paper wrappers for a traditional roll
• 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 red Thai chili or jalapeño, thinly sliced (adjust to taste)

For the Sauce

• 2 tbsp soy sauce or coconut aminos
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp cornstarch (for thickening)
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce (optional for depth)

Optional Garnishes

• Crushed peanuts
• Sriracha or chili garlic sauce
• Lime wedges
• Chopped scallions

You’ll also need rice paper or lettuce leaves for wrapping. To make handling rice paper easier, a non-stick rice paper wrapping mat can help you roll perfectly every time without tearing the delicate wrappers.

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

1. Prepare the Sauce

• In a bowl, mix soy sauce (or coconut aminos), brown sugar, rice vinegar, cornstarch, and oyster sauce.
• Stir until smooth and set aside.

2. Cook the Beef

• Heat a wok or skillet over medium-high heat with a splash of oil.
• Add garlic and chili; sauté until fragrant (30 seconds).
• Add ground beef and cook until browned and cooked through.
• Pour in the sauce and stir until it thickens (about 1–2 minutes).
• Remove from heat and stir in fresh Thai basil.

3. Prepare Your Wrappers

• For lettuce wraps: wash and dry the leaves thoroughly.
• For rice paper: soak each wrapper in warm water for 10–15 seconds until soft but not mushy.

4. Assemble the Rolls

• Lay out your wrapper (lettuce or rice paper).
• Spoon in a portion of the beef mixture.
• Add julienned bell peppers and any additional toppings.
• Roll it up tightly like a burrito or fold it like a taco.

5. Serve and Enjoy

• Serve immediately with dipping sauces or fresh lime.

Variations and Substitutes

Customize your Thai Basil Beef Rolls with these ideas:

Protein Alternatives

• Ground chicken or turkey for leaner options
• Crumbled tofu or tempeh for vegetarian rolls
• Shredded mushrooms for umami-rich vegan options

Wrapper Options

• Egg roll wrappers (pan-fried for crispy rolls)
• Collard greens or cabbage leaves for a sturdier, low-carb alternative

Flavor Tweaks

• Add shredded carrots or cucumber for crunch
• Drizzle with peanut sauce or spicy mayo for added richness
• Use hoisin or sweet chili sauce for dipping

Looking for quick dinners with bold flavors? Try this Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef recipe next.

Serving Suggestions

Pair your beef rolls with these sides for a complete meal:

• Steamed jasmine or sticky rice
• Thai cucumber salad
• Papaya salad (Som Tum)
• Thai iced tea or lemongrass cooler

For spicy lovers, serve with a side of Sambal Oelek or extra sliced chilies.

Looking for more inspiration? You’ll also love this hearty beef stir-fry inspiration that uses bold sauces and sizzling technique.

Nutritional Notes

Thai Basil Beef Rolls can be easily tailored to suit various dietary needs.

Key Nutritional Benefits

• High in protein from lean beef
• Low-carb when wrapped in lettuce
• Gluten-free when using coconut aminos and lettuce wrappers
• Rich in antioxidants and essential oils from Thai basil

Get more healthy recipes with ground beef to expand your weekly meal rotation.

FAQs About Thai Basil Beef Rolls

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

• Rolls falling apart? Make sure wrappers (lettuce or rice paper) are not overstuffed.
• Beef too dry? Add a tablespoon of water or stock when cooking to keep it juicy.
• Rice paper tearing? Don’t over-soak. 10–15 seconds is enough.

Final Thoughts

Thai Basil Beef Rolls are everything you want in a dish, quick, flavorful, healthy, and endlessly customizable. Whether served as an appetizer or a main, they’re sure to impress. Try your own twist by experimenting with wrappers, proteins, or spice levels. Once you’ve made them, you’ll understand why they’re quickly becoming a favorite in fusion kitchens around the world.

Thai Basil Beef Rolls: A Flavor-Packed Thai-Inspired Delight

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• Author: MERIEM
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

These Thai Basil Beef Rolls are crispy on the outside, savory on the inside, and bursting with authentic Thai flavor. Wrapped in rice paper or lettuce, they’re perfect as an appetizer or light dinner.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

1 lb ground beef
1 cup Thai basil leaves, chopped
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 Thai chili or 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced
2 tbsp soy sauce or coconut aminos
1 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp cornstarch
1 tbsp oyster sauce (optional)
6–8 lettuce leaves or rice paper wrappers
1 tbsp oil for cooking
Optional: lime wedges, crushed peanuts, chopped scallions, sweet chili dipping sauce

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Instructions

Mix soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, cornstarch, and oyster sauce in a small bowl and set aside
Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat
Add garlic and chili, sauté until fragrant
Add ground beef and cook until browned
Pour in the sauce mixture and stir until thickened
Remove from heat and fold in chopped Thai basil
If using rice paper, soak until soft
Lay out wrapper or lettuce leaf, add beef mixture and vegetables
Roll tightly and serve with dipping sauce and garnishes

Notes

Adjust spice level by using more or fewer chilies
Can be made vegetarian by using tofu or mushrooms
Store leftover filling separately and assemble fresh for best texture
Serve with rice, salad, or as finger food

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Thai-Inspired

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2 rolls
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 520mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 12g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 21g
• Cholesterol: 55mg

Keywords: Thai basil beef rolls, Thai beef spring rolls, ground beef Thai recipe, Thai appetizer, basil beef wrap