Description
These 20 Minute Thai Basil Beef Rolls are a quick and flavorful appetizer or light meal featuring savory ground beef infused with garlic, ginger, and Chinese five-spice, wrapped in warm flour tortillas with fresh herbs, cucumbers, and crunchy peanuts. Serve with chili paste and toasted sesame oil for a delicious Thai-inspired bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef (or chicken or pork)
- Black pepper, to taste
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger (or 1/4 cup candied ginger)
- 3 teaspoons Chinese 5 spice
- 1/3 cup tamari or soy sauce
- 1/4 cup Thai chili sauce (see notes for homemade)
- 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
- 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, add the ground beef seasoned with black pepper and cook, breaking it up, until browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in the chopped garlic, grated ginger, and Chinese 5 spice and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add Sauces and Simmer: Pour in the tamari or soy sauce and Thai chili sauce. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickens and coats the beef evenly, about 5 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons of chopped green onions, then remove the skillet from heat.
- Warm Tortillas: Microwave each flour tortilla individually for 15 seconds to soften and make them pliable for rolling.
- Assemble Rolls: Spoon a portion of the beef mixture down the center of a warm tortilla. Top with chopped cucumbers, cilantro, Thai basil, the remaining green onions, and chopped roasted peanuts. Fold the sides and the ends of the tortilla inward over the filling and roll forward tightly to form the roll. Repeat with all tortillas and fillings.
- Serve: Serve the Thai Basil Beef Rolls warm with chili paste, toasted sesame oil, and extra soy sauce for dipping. For a more filling meal, serve alongside steamed rice.
Notes
- To make homemade Sweet Thai Chili Sauce, mix 1/3 cup honey, 2 tablespoons ketchup, 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, and 1 clove grated garlic in a jar; shake well and use as directed.
- Ground chicken or pork can be substituted for the beef for a different flavor or dietary preference.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free tortillas and tamari sauce.
- Warm the tortillas just before assembling to prevent them from cracking when rolling.
- Add extra fresh herbs or chopped peanuts according to taste and texture preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
