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Thai Basil Beef Rolls Recipe

4.4 from 113 reviews

Thai Basil Beef Rolls are a savory and aromatic appetizer featuring seasoned ground beef infused with garlic, chili, and fresh Thai basil, all wrapped in crisp fried wrappers. These flavorful rolls are perfect for a party snack or a unique appetizer that combines the fragrant herbs and bold spices of Thai cuisine with a satisfying crunchy texture.

Ingredients

Scale

Filling

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 12 red chilies, finely chopped (adjust to taste)
  • 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves, roughly chopped
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon fish sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Wrapper and Cooking

  • 12 spring roll wrappers or egg roll wrappers
  • Vegetable oil, for pan-frying

Instructions

  1. Prepare the filling. In a skillet over medium heat, add a small amount of oil and sauté the minced garlic and chopped chili until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the ground beef and cook until browned and fully cooked, breaking it apart as it cooks, about 6-8 minutes. Season with soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar, and black pepper. Stir in the fresh Thai basil leaves just before removing from heat to wilt them slightly.
  2. Assemble the rolls. Lay a spring roll wrapper flat on a clean surface. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the beef mixture onto one edge of the wrapper. Fold the sides over the filling and tightly roll the wrapper to enclose the filling completely, sealing the edge with a bit of water. Repeat with remaining wrappers and filling.
  3. Pan-fry the rolls. Heat about 1/4 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Carefully place the rolls seam-side down in the hot oil. Fry them until golden brown and crisp on all sides, turning occasionally, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove the rolls and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
  4. Serve. Serve the Thai Basil Beef Rolls hot with your choice of dipping sauce, such as sweet chili sauce or a tangy lime-based sauce.

Notes

  • Adjust chili quantity to control the spice level.
  • Ensure the oil is hot before frying to prevent greasy rolls.
  • Fresh Thai basil is key for authentic flavor; substitute with sweet basil only if unavailable.
  • Leftover filling can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Keywords: Thai Basil Beef Rolls, Thai appetizer, fried beef rolls, Thai basil recipe, crispy beef rolls, Asian appetizer