Description
These Thai Basil Beef Rolls offer a vibrant and flavorful experience, featuring savory ground beef infused with aromatic Thai basil. The tender beef mixture is nestled within crisp lettuce leaves, complemented by refreshing slices of cucumber. A light and satisfying dish, it balances rich, umami notes with the fresh, peppery essence of basil, creating a harmonious and appetizing meal.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce (optional)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup water or beef broth
- 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves, roughly chopped
- 1 head butter lettuce or living lettuce, leaves separated
- 1/2 English cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon white sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat cooking oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
- Add minced garlic and grated ginger to the skillet with the beef. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the soy sauce, fish sauce (if using), brown sugar, lime juice, and water or beef broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and flavors to meld.
- Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the chopped Thai basil leaves until just wilted.
- Arrange the lettuce leaves on a serving platter. Place a few slices of cucumber into each lettuce cup.
- Spoon the warm Thai basil beef mixture into each lettuce cup.
- Garnish with white sesame seeds and serve immediately.
Notes
For an extra kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the beef mixture with the garlic and ginger.
If Thai basil is unavailable, regular sweet basil can be used, though the flavor profile will be slightly different.
The beef mixture can be prepared ahead of time and reheated gently before assembling the wraps for quick serving.
Consider adding shredded carrots or thinly sliced bell peppers to the beef mixture for added vegetables and crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 320
- Fat: 16g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Protein: 28g