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20-Minute Thai Basil Beef Rolls Recipe

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These 20 Minute Thai Basil Beef Rolls are a quick and delicious appetizer or light meal featuring flavorful ground beef infused with aromatic Thai herbs and spices, wrapped in delicate rice paper with fresh herbs and crisp vegetables for a refreshing bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Beef Mixture

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 shallots, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon ginger paste
  • 1 tablespoon lemongrass, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 1 cup Thai basil leaves, torn

Fresh Fillings

  • 2 scallions, julienned
  • 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
  • Gem lettuce leaves or similar
  • 1 avocado, sliced

Wraps

  • Rice paper rolls

Instructions

  1. Brown the Ground Beef: Heat a little oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until well-browned, breaking it apart with a cooking spoon. Achieving a good caramelization through the Maillard reaction is key for deep flavor.
  2. Add Aromatics: Once the beef is browned, stir in the minced garlic, ginger paste, chopped lemongrass, and Chinese five-spice powder. Cook briefly to allow the aromatics to infuse the beef with their flavors.
  3. Combine Sauces and Simmer: Add the finely chopped shallots, soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, and lime juice to the beef. Stir well and let the mixture simmer gently for a few minutes to blend the flavors.
  4. Finish with Thai Basil: Turn off the heat and fold in the torn Thai basil leaves, allowing their fragrance to permeate the beef filling.
  5. Soften Rice Paper: Fill a shallow dish with water and soak each rice paper sheet individually for about 10 seconds or until just soft. Then, lay it on a slightly damp cloth to prevent sticking or tearing.
  6. Assemble the Rolls: Place a spoonful of the cooked beef mixture in the center of the softened rice paper. Top with julienned scallions, chopped cilantro, gem lettuce leaves, and avocado slices.
  7. Roll the Wraps: Fold in the sides of the rice paper over the filling, then roll tightly from the bottom up to encase the filling securely, creating a neat roll.

Notes

  • Use fresh Thai basil for the authentic flavor; substitute with sweet basil if unavailable.
  • Rice paper is delicate – soak briefly and handle gently to prevent tearing.
  • Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours before serving to keep rolls fresh.
  • For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with crumbled tofu or tempeh and adjust seasonings accordingly.
  • Adjust the quantity of sweet chili sauce based on your preferred spice level.

Keywords: Thai beef rolls, rice paper rolls, Thai appetizers, quick Thai recipe, basil beef rolls

Find it online: https://kochenmitviktoria.com/20-minute-thai-basil-beef-rolls-recipe/