Asian Lettuce Wraps
These Asian lettuce wraps are a delicious and healthy meal option, filled with flavorful ground beef and fresh vegetables.
Equipment
- 10-inch skillet For cooking the filling.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 0.25 cup maple syrup, brown sugar, or coconut sugar
- 0.25 cup coconut aminos, tamari, or soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 2 teaspoons arrowroot powder or cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
- 1 medium red bell pepper, finely diced
- 0.5 cup shredded carrots
- 4 whole green onions, sliced into 1” pieces
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Ground pepper, to taste
- Sesame seeds, to taste, for garnish
- Boston Bibb lettuce
- Steamed white rice or sautéed cauliflower rice, optional, for serving
Instructions
- Make the sauce by combining maple syrup, coconut aminos, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes (if using) in a measuring cup. Whisk until well combined. Add arrowroot powder and whisk until smooth.
- Heat olive oil in a 10” skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Tip: Ensure the beef is well browned for optimal flavor.
- Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking and stirring continuously until very fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
- Toss in the diced bell pepper and shredded carrots, cooking until slightly tender, about 3-4 minutes. Tip: You can add water chestnuts or mushrooms for extra crunch.
- Pour the sauce over the skillet contents, then stir. Simmer until the sauce slightly thickens, around 2-3 minutes. Taste for seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper if needed.
- Stir in the sliced green onions.
- Spoon the filling into lettuce wraps, with or without rice, and garnish with sesame seeds. This recipe makes 8 wraps without rice or 12 wraps with rice.
Notes
For a vegetarian option, substitute the ground beef with plant-based crumbles. Customize the spice level by adjusting the amount of red pepper flakes. Feel free to add other vegetables like water chestnuts or mushrooms for extra texture. No alcoholic drinks allowed, please substitute with a non-alcoholic option.