Description
These 20 Minute Thai Basil Beef Rolls are a quick and flavorful appetizer or light dinner option. Ground beef is cooked with garlic, fresh ginger, Chinese five spice, tamari, and sweet Thai chili sauce, then wrapped in warm flour tortillas with fresh herbs, cucumbers, and crunchy peanuts. Served with chili paste and toasted sesame oil, these rolls bring vibrant Thai-inspired flavors to your table in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef (or chicken or pork)
- Black pepper, to taste
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
- 1-3 teaspoons Chinese 5 spice
- 1/3 cup tamari or soy sauce
- 1/4 cup Thai chili sauce
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 4 Persian cucumbers, chopped
- 2 cups cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 cup Thai basil, chopped
- 1/3 cup chopped roasted peanuts
- 8-10 flour tortillas, warmed
For Serving
- Chili paste, for serving
- Toasted sesame oil, for serving
Homemade Sweet Thai Chili Sauce (Optional)
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1-2 tablespoons chili sauce
- 2 teaspoons lime zest
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons tamari or soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 1 clove grated garlic
Instructions
- Cook the beef: In a large skillet, heat over medium heat and cook the ground beef seasoned with black pepper, breaking up the meat until browned, about 5 minutes. Add the chopped garlic, grated ginger, and Chinese 5 spice, cooking for another minute to release aromas.
- Add sauces and simmer: Stir in the tamari and sweet Thai chili sauce, bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickly coats the beef, about 3-5 minutes. Mix in 2 tablespoons of chopped green onions, then remove from heat.
- Warm tortillas: Place one flour tortilla at a time in the microwave for 15 seconds to make them pliable for rolling.
- Assemble the rolls: Spoon the cooked beef down the center of each warm tortilla. Top with chopped cucumber, cilantro, Thai basil, remaining green onions, and roasted peanuts.
- Roll the tortillas: Fold the tortilla sides and ends over the filling tightly, then roll forward to create a neat roll. Repeat for all tortillas and filling.
- Serve: Serve the rolls warm with extra soy sauce, chili paste, and toasted sesame oil for dipping. For a complete meal, serve with rice on the side.
Notes
- For homemade sweet Thai chili sauce, mix honey, ketchup, chili sauce, lime zest, lime juice, rice vinegar, tamari or soy sauce, grated ginger, and garlic in a jar. Shake well before using.
- Use chicken or pork instead of beef for a variation.
- To make the rolls gluten free, substitute the flour tortillas with gluten-free wrap alternatives.
- Adjust the amount of Chinese 5 spice between 1-3 teaspoons depending on taste preference.
- For added heat, increase the chili paste served on the side.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
