Description
These Thai Basil Beef Rolls are fresh, flavorful, and perfect as a light appetizer or snack. Ground beef is sautéed with garlic, shallots, soy and oyster sauces, then combined with fragrant Thai basil and rolled in soft rice paper wrappers along with fresh herbs and crunchy vegetables. Served with a tangy dipping sauce, these rolls are a delicious fusion of savory, spicy, and fresh flavors ideal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Filling
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small shallot, finely chopped
- 1 pound ground beef (85/15)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes or 1 minced Thai chili
- 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves, chopped
Roll Assembly
- 8 to 10 rice paper wrappers
- 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves (optional)
- 1/2 cup cilantro leaves (optional)
- 1/4 cup sliced green onion (optional)
- 1/4 cup julienned carrots or cucumbers (optional)
Dipping Sauce
- 1/4 cup dipping sauce (soy-lime or chili-garlic blend)
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and finely chopped shallot, cooking until fragrant to infuse the oil with flavor.
- Cook the Beef: Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula to ensure even cooking.
- Season the Beef: Stir in soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, and chili flakes. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes so the flavors meld.
- Add Lime and Basil: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in fresh lime juice and chopped Thai basil leaves. Let the filling cool slightly to prevent tearing the rice paper.
- Prepare Rolling Station: Fill a shallow plate with warm water to soften the rice paper wrappers. Arrange the beef filling, herbs, and optional vegetables nearby for easy access.
- Soften Rice Paper: Dip one rice paper wrapper in warm water for 5 to 10 seconds until pliable, then place it flat on a clean surface.
- Add Fillings: Place a spoonful of beef filling near the bottom edge of the wrapper. Top with fresh mint, cilantro, green onions, and julienned veggies if using.
- Roll the Wrapper: Fold the bottom edge over the filling, tuck in the sides tightly, and roll the wrapper up firmly to enclose the filling.
- Repeat: Continue softening wrappers and rolling until all filling is used.
- Serve: Slice the rolls in half if desired and serve immediately with dipping sauce on the side.
Notes
- Don’t soak rice paper wrappers too long—5 to 10 seconds is sufficient to keep them pliable without becoming too fragile.
- Allow the beef filling to cool slightly before rolling to prevent the rice paper from tearing.
- Keep finished rolls covered with a damp towel to maintain freshness until serving.
Keywords: Thai Basil Beef Rolls, rice paper rolls, Thai appetizer, fresh spring rolls, ground beef rolls, Thai herbs, dipping sauce