Beef Lettuce Wraps (Printable)
Savory ground beef with Asian flavors in crisp lettuce. A refreshing, satisfying handheld meal or appetizer, quick and easy to prepare.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Beef Filling
01 - 1 pound lean ground beef
02 - 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
03 - 1 small onion, finely diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
06 - 1 medium carrot, julienned or grated
07 - 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
08 - 4 ounces water chestnuts, drained and chopped
09 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
→ Sauce
10 - 3 tablespoons soy sauce
11 - 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
12 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
13 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil
14 - 1 teaspoon sriracha or chili garlic sauce
15 - 1 teaspoon brown sugar
→ To Serve
16 - 1 head butter lettuce, leaves separated and washed
17 - 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
18 - Fresh cilantro or mint leaves
# How-To Steps:
01 - In a large skillet or wok, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 2 minutes until translucent.
02 - Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it is browned and cooked through, approximately 5 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
04 - Stir in the julienned carrot, finely diced bell pepper, and chopped water chestnuts. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the vegetables are just tender-crisp.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sriracha (if using), and brown sugar until well combined.
06 - Pour the prepared sauce over the beef mixture and stir thoroughly to coat evenly. Allow to simmer for 2 minutes to meld the flavors.
07 - Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the thinly sliced green onions.
08 - To serve, spoon a generous amount of the beef filling into the center of each separated lettuce leaf. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and fresh herbs like cilantro or mint, if desired.
09 - Fold up the lettuce leaf around the filling and enjoy immediately as a handheld appetizer or main dish.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- You're going to adore how quickly this dish comes together seriously, it feels like cheating on a busy weeknight!
- It’s that fantastic combination of savory warmth and crisp freshness that just makes your taste buds sing, a total winner for anyone watching carbs.
02 -
- The biggest game-changer for me was realizing that the vegetables in the filling should only be cooked until tender-crisp; mushy veggies are a definite no-go for these wraps!
- I discovered that grating fresh ginger truly unlocks its vibrant flavor in a way pre-minced or powdered ginger just can't quite match, making all the difference to the aromatic profile.
03 -
- When browning the beef, ensure your skillet is hot enough and don't overcrowd the pan; this prevents the meat from steaming instead of searing, ensuring a better texture.
- For that extra restaurant-quality touch, lightly toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for a minute or two until fragrant before garnishing, it makes a huge difference in aroma and flavor.