... Follow Aliana on Pinterest →

Hannah Cooking

Thai Basil Beef Rolls

Published: by . Leave a Comment

If there is one thing Max loves, it’s anything he can pick up with his hands and dip. These Thai Basil Beef Rolls are our latest obsession; a fun, crispy twist on the classic Pad Krapow (Thai Basil Beef). We take that savory, spicy beef stir-fry and wrap it in rice paper, then pan-fry it until it’s golden and blistered. The result? A crunchy, chewy, flavor-packed roll that Max calls "the best spring roll ever."

These crave-worthy Thai Basil Beef Rolls feature a savory, spicy ground beef and basil filling wrapped in rice paper and pan-fried until blistered, crispy, and chewy.
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
Thai basil beef spring rolls with translucent rice paper wrappers filled with seasoned ground beef and fresh Thai basil leaves, glazed with sweet chili sauce, served on a wooden board with spicy Thai chili dipping sauce with red chili flakes
Thai basil beef spring rolls with translucent rice paper wrappers filled with seasoned ground beef and fresh Thai basil leaves, glazed with sweet chili sauce, served on a wooden board with spicy Thai chili dipping sauce with red chili flakes Save it For Later
Jump to:

Why You Will Love This Thai Basil Beef Rolls

You will love this recipe because it delivers a massive flavor payload in a fun, handheld package. The rice paper wrapper gets incredibly crispy and slightly chewy when pan-fried, creating a texture that is totally addictive. Inside, the filling is savory, garlicky, and fragrant with fresh Thai basil. It’s perfect as an appetizer or a main course, and it looks absolutely stunning with the green basil leaves peeking through the translucent, golden skin.

How To Make Thai Basil Beef Rolls

This recipe uses the viral "rice paper dumpling" technique. We start by stir-frying ground beef with aromatics like garlic, chili, and lots of Thai basil until it's dark and caramelized. Then, we hydrate sheets of rice paper, place a fresh basil leaf in the center (so it shows through like in the picture!), add the beef filling, and roll them up tight. A quick sear in a hot skillet creates that irresistible crispy-chewy crust.

Thai Basil Beef Rolls Ingredients

The Filling

  • 1 lb ground beef (85% lean is best for flavor)
  • 4 cloves garlic; minced
  • 1–2 Thai bird chilies; finely chopped (adjust for heat)
  • 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves (plus extra for wrapping)
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

The Stir-Fry Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon fish sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce (for that rich color)
  • 1 teaspoon sugar

The Wrapper & Fry

  • 10–12 sheets rice paper (round)
  • Warm water (for dipping)
  • 2 tablespoons oil (for pan-frying)

Dipping Sauce

  • Soy sauce, vinegar, and sesame seeds mixed with a pinch of chili flakes.
Ingredients for Thai Basil Beef Rolls arranged in a 4-panel flat lay on a white marble kitchen counter. Save it For Later

Step by Step Method

Make the Beef Filling

  • In a small bowl, mix the oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, dark soy sauce, and sugar.
  • Heat oil in a wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and chilies, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  • Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up into small crumbles, until browned and cooked through.
  • Pour in the sauce mixture and toss to coat the meat evenly.
  • Turn off the heat and immediately stir in the cup of Thai basil leaves. Let them wilt into the meat. Transfer to a bowl to cool slightly.

Wrap the Rolls

  • Dip a sheet of rice paper into warm water for 5 seconds (don't let it get too soft, it will soften as you work).
  • Lay the wrapper on a damp cutting board.
  • Place a fresh Thai basil leaf in the center of the wrapper (this gives it the beautiful look shown in the image).
  • Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the beef mixture on top of the leaf.
  • Fold the sides in and roll it up tightly like a burrito. Repeat with remaining ingredients.

Pan Fry

  • Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
  • Place the rolls seam-side down in the pan. Do not crowd them, or they will stick together.
  • Fry for 2–3 minutes per side until the rice paper is bubbly, golden brown, and crispy.

Serve

  • Serve hot with the dipping sauce.
Thai basil beef spring rolls with translucent rice paper wrappers showing ground beef filling and fresh Thai basil leaves inside, brushed with sweet chili glaze, served on a wooden plate with spicy Thai chili dipping sauce containing red chili flakes and garlic Save it For Later

MAX’S REACTION

"It's like a see-through burrito! I like how crunch-chewy the outside is. The meat inside is super savory. I dipped mine in the sauce until it was dripping!"

What Pairs Well With Thai Basil Beef Rolls

These rolls are rich and savory, so they need something fresh to balance them out. A cold cucumber salad with vinegar dressing or a green papaya salad is perfect. We also love serving them with steamed jasmine rice to soak up any extra dipping sauce.

Thai Basil Beef Rolls Variations

Chicken or Pork

Swap the ground beef for ground chicken or pork. The seasoning sauce works perfectly with any ground meat.

Zero Waste Style

If you follow the Thai Basil Beef Rolls zero waste eats style, you can use leftover steak or roast beef. Just chop it finely and toss it in the pan with the sauces and basil to reheat before wrapping.

Vegetarian

Use crumbled tofu or finely chopped mushrooms instead of beef. Swap the oyster sauce for vegetarian stir-fry sauce and skip the fish sauce (use soy sauce instead).

Double Wrap

If you find your rice paper tearing, you can use two sheets per roll. It makes the wrapper chewier and extra crispy when fried.

Thai basil beef rolls with translucent rice paper wrappers filled with seasoned ground beef and fresh Thai basil leaves, glazed with sweet chili sauce, served on a wooden board with Thai chili dipping sauce Save it For Later

Equipment

  • Wok or Large Skillet (for beef)
  • Non-stick Pan (for frying rolls)
  • Shallow bowl (for water)
  • Cutting board
  • Mom Tip: Use a non-stick pan for the final fry! Rice paper is incredibly sticky and will bond to a stainless steel pan instantly.

Storage / Make Ahead / Serving Tips

Serve Fresh

These are best eaten immediately. The rice paper stays crispy for about 30 minutes before it starts to soften and get chewy.

Refrigerator Storage

If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Reheating

Do not microwave them! Reheat in an air fryer at 375°F for 3–5 minutes or pan-fry them again to restore the crispiness.

Top Tips for Best Thai Basil Beef Rolls

The key to the texture in the photo is the fry. Don't be afraid to let them sit in the oil until they get blistered and brown spots appear. Also, placing the fresh basil leaf against the wrapper before adding the meat is the secret to that gourmet, authentic look where the herb shows through the skin.

Thai Basil Beef Rolls Frequently Asked Questions

My rice paper keeps tearing, what do I do?

You might be soaking it too long. Just a quick 5-second dip is enough; it will continue to soften on the board.

Can I bake these?

You can, but they won't get the same bubbly texture. Brush with oil and bake at 400°F for 15 minutes, flipping halfway.

Where do I find Thai basil?

Most Asian grocery stores carry it. It has purple stems and a anise/licorice flavor. If you can't find it, regular Italian basil works, though the flavor will be different.

Is this an authentic recipe?

The filling is based on Authentic thai basil beef rolls (Pad Gra Prow), but wrapping it in rice paper and frying it is a modern fusion twist that has become very popular.

A Flavorful Escape

These rolls have become our favorite way to enjoy Thai flavors at home without ordering takeout. They are fun to make and even more fun to eat. If you are craving more global flavors, try our warming Ginger Garlic Chicken Noodle Soup, the rich and comforting Creamy Parmesan Beef Linguine with Garlic Butter Sauce, or our healthy Chicken and Sweet Potato Bowls.

Share your Thai Basil Beef Rolls! Tag us @HannahCooking with #ThaiBasilBeefRolls; we’re dying to see your version and hear about your homemade kitchen stories!

⭐️ Rate this Thai Basil Beef Rolls recipe and let us know what twists or ingredients you used!

Looking for other recipes like Thai Basil Beef Rolls? Try these:

Thai basil beef spring rolls with translucent rice paper wrappers filled with seasoned ground beef and fresh Thai basil leaves, glazed with sweet chili sauce, served on a wooden board with spicy Thai chili dipping sauce with red chili flakes Save it For Later

Thai Basil Beef Rolls

These crave-worthy Thai Basil Beef Rolls feature a savory, spicy ground beef and basil filling wrapped in rice paper and pan-fried until blistered, crispy, and chewy.
No ratings yet
Pin Share Print Rate
Course: Appetizer, Dinner
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired, Thai
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 10 rolls
Calories: 250kcal
Cost: $15

Equipment

  • 1 Wok or Skillet (For filling)
  • 1 Non-stick Pan (For frying rolls)
  • 1 Cutting board (For assembly)

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef - 85% lean
  • 10 sheets rice paper - Round sheets
  • 1 cup Thai basil - Fresh leaves
  • 4 cloves garlic - Minced
  • 2 red chilies - Finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoon oyster sauce - Flavor base
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce - Salty
  • 1 teaspoon fish sauce - Umami
  • 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce - For color
  • 1 teaspoon sugar - To balance heat
  • 2 tablespoon oil - For frying

Instructions 

  • Stir-fry garlic, chilies, and beef until browned. Add sauces and mix well.
  • Remove from heat and stir in fresh basil leaves until wilted.
  • Dip rice paper in water. Place a fresh basil leaf in center, top with beef, and roll tightly.
  • Pan-fry rolls in oil over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side until golden and crispy.
  • Serve hot with dipping sauce.

Notes

Place a fresh basil leaf on the rice paper before the filling to create the beautiful visual effect shown in the photos. Use a non-stick pan to prevent the rice paper from tearing.

Nutrition

Serving: 2rolls | Calories: 250kcal (13%) | Carbohydrates: 18g (6%) | Protein: 15g (30%) | Fat: 12g (18%) | Saturated Fat: 4g (25%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 40mg (13%) | Sodium: 550mg (24%) | Potassium: 200mg (6%) | Fiber: 1g (4%) | Sugar: 2g (2%) | Vitamin A: 300IU (6%) | Vitamin C: 5mg (6%) | Calcium: 30mg (3%) | Iron: 2mg (11%)

More Dinner

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating