Description
Sizzling Asian-style ground beef lettuce wraps deliver a perfect balance of savory and fresh flavors. Crisp lettuce leaves cradle spicy seasoned meat, offering a quick, delightful meal that brings zesty Korean and Chinese influences right to your plate.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb ground beef
Aromatics and Vegetables:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
- 1 medium red bell pepper, finely diced
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 4 whole green onions, sliced into 1-inch pieces
Sauce and Seasonings:
- 1/4 cup maple syrup, brown sugar, or coconut sugar
- 1/4 cup coconut aminos, tamari, or soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 2 teaspoons arrowroot powder, or cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Ground pepper, to taste
- Sesame seeds, to taste, for garnish
Serving Options:
- Boston Bibb lettuce
- Steamed white rice or sauteed cauliflower rice, optional
Instructions
- Craft a zesty sauce by blending maple syrup, coconut aminos, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Incorporate arrowroot powder, whisking until smooth and slightly opaque.
- Preheat a skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat (around 375°F). Add ground beef, breaking into fine crumbles and cooking until no pink remains, approximately 5-6 minutes.
- Introduce minced garlic and grated ginger to the skillet, stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and releasing their aromatic essence.
- Incorporate diced bell peppers and shredded carrots, sautéing for 3-4 minutes to achieve a tender-crisp consistency.
- Pour prepared sauce over beef and vegetable mixture, stirring thoroughly and allowing to simmer for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens and coats ingredients evenly.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Fold in fresh green onions just before serving to maintain their vibrant crunch.
- Serve warm filling inside crisp lettuce leaves, garnishing with sesame seeds for added texture and visual appeal.
- Optional: Complement wraps with steamed white rice or cauliflower rice for a more substantial meal.
Notes
- Customize heat levels by adjusting red pepper flakes for spice-sensitive diners or those craving extra kick.
- Select sturdy lettuce varieties like butter or romaine for easier wrapping and less mess during eating.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for lighter protein alternatives that maintain similar flavor profiles.
- Enhance nutrient density by adding extra vegetables like diced zucchini or mushrooms without compromising the recipe’s core Asian-inspired taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg