Aside from throwing hamburgers or the occasional steak on the grill, it can just be too dang hot in the summer to eat beef. This Lemon Basil Beef Roulade recipe is a delicious alternative. The beef is thinly sliced so no chance of meat overload.
So let’s roll (pun intended) into why this dish is a must-try.
Thinly sliced beef embracing Black Forest ham like a savory hug. If you can’t find Black Forest ham, substitute any smoked ham variety. However, thinly sliced ham is easiest to work with. Alternately, leave out the ham entirely. Although, it does make the recipe more flavorful.
Add fresh basil for that fragrant, summery vibe. It’s like a tiny beefy bouquet. Once rolled up, this meaty masterpiece gets its golden glow from a quick braise in a hot pan. The sizzle alone from this Lemon Basil Beef Roulade will make your mouth water.
Next, it’s oven time. Place your roulades on a bed of lemon slices. Yes, lemons. These bright yellow disks do double duty. They keep the beef moist and infuse it with citrusy sunshine.
The sauce for this Lemon Basil Beef Roulade:
But what’s beef roulade without a killer sauce? Enter the port wine reduction. Mix port wine and beef stock in a pan, then let them dance together until thick and glossy. Add caramelized onions for an extra layer of flavor magic. Sweet, tangy, and rich—this sauce is the cherry on top of your savory roulade sundae.
As a result, this dish is bold yet bright, hearty yet light. Furthermore, the fresh basil and lemons scream summer. However, the beef and ham keep things satisfying.
Serve this lemon basil beef roulade with a crisp green salad or roasted veggies. Alternately, let it shine solo on the plate. Either way, this dish is guaranteed to steal the spotlight. Warning: you may be asked to make it every weekend. And honestly, who could blame them? Summer just got a whole lot tastier.
Lemon Basil Beef Roulade
Ingredients
- 2 lemons
- 1 bunch of fresh basil you will need at least 24 leaves plus more for garnish if desired
- 4 pieces thinly cut beef
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- 8 thin slices of black forest ham
- 3 tablespoons canola oil
- 2 onions
- 2 ounces port wine
- 1 cup of beef stock
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
Instructions
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Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
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Wash and pat dry both lemons. Zest & juice one. Set aside.
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Wash and dry the fresh basil.
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Halve each piece of the thin-cut beef. Season both sides with salt & pepper.
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Lay a ham slice on top of a beef slice. Add 3 basil leaves. Sprinkle lemon zest on top.
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Roll up tightly. Secure with a toothpick. Repeat.
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Slice the other lemon crosswise into thin rings.
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Heat 2 tablespoons of the canola oil in a large skillet over med-heat.
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Fry lemon slices on both sides for about 5 minutes & tranfer to the baking sheet.
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Preheat the oven to 350F.
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Add rolls to the pan. Braise, turning the rolls to brown evenly on all sides. You can Remove the toothpicks to turn the rolls with a wooden spoon. Reinsert and cook them on the other side.
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Transfer the rolls to the baking sheet, laying them on the lemon slices.
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Bake for 15 minutes.
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Peel and slice the onions into thin rings.
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Add the remaining tablespoon of canola oil to the pan and heat. Add the onion rings and cook until transparent.
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Remove the onions from the pan and set aside.
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Add the port wine, lemon juice, and beef stock into the skillet.
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Bring everything to a boil.
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Remove the rolls from the oven. Transfer to a platter arranging the beef rolls on top of the lemon slices. Cover with aluminum foil and store in a warm place.
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Turn the heat down and whisk in the tablespoon of flour. When the sauce thickens, strain it and return it to the pan.
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Stir the onions back into the sauce and remove from heat.
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Uncover the serving platter with the beef rolls and lemon and spoon the sauce over the top.
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Garnish with small basil leaves, if desired, and serve.
So, do you like this Lemon Basil Beef Roulade? Also, check out some of these other delicious recipes:
TOASTED ALMOND CHICKEN ROULADE IN ORANGE CREAM SAUCE
PUMPKIN SCHNITZEL WITH SMOKED PAPRIKA SAUCE
BACON CHICKEN CHEESE ROULADE
