why make this recipe
Asian Style Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps are a delicious and healthy meal option. They are light yet flavorful, perfect for a quick dinner or entertaining guests. The combination of fresh vegetables and savory ground beef makes this dish satisfying. Plus, you can customize it easily based on what you have on hand. It’s a great way to enjoy a meal that feels indulgent while staying relatively low on carbs if you skip the rice.
how to make Asian Style Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup maple syrup (or brown sugar, or coconut sugar)
- ¼ cup coconut aminos (or tamari, or soy sauce)
- 2 tsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- ¼ – ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tsp arrowroot powder (or cornstarch)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tsp grated fresh ginger
- 1 medium red bell pepper (finely diced)
- ½ 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)
Directions:
- Make the sauce. Combine the maple syrup, coconut aminos, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes (if using) in a measuring cup. Whisk until combined. Add the arrowroot powder and whisk until well combined.
- Cook the beef. Heat olive oil in a 10” skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add the ground beef and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon to break it up, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic and ginger. Add the garlic and ginger to the skillet and cook, stirring continuously, until very fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add veggies. Add the bell pepper and carrots and cook until slightly tender, about 3-4 minutes.
- Combine all ingredients. Pour the sauce over the skillet contents and stir. Simmer until the sauce thickens slightly, about 2-3 minutes. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper if needed.
- Finish with green onions. Stir in the sliced green onions.
- Spoon the filling. 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.
how to serve Asian Style Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps
Serve the wraps immediately after making them. You can place the filling in the lettuce leaves and garnish with sesame seeds. If you choose to add rice, serve a small portion of steamed white rice or sautéed cauliflower rice alongside the wraps for extra substance. These lettuce wraps are great for a casual meal, so feel free to serve them with extra veggies on the side.
how to store Asian Style Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps
If you have leftovers, store the filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the lettuce leaves separate to prevent them from getting soggy. When ready to eat, reheat the beef mixture in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through, and then serve it in fresh lettuce leaves.
tips to make Asian Style Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps
- Use lean ground beef to make the dish healthier. You can also substitute with ground turkey or chicken.
- Adjust the spice level by modifying the amount of red pepper flakes.
- If you don’t have arrowroot powder, cornstarch works just fine as a thickener.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like mushrooms or zucchini for extra flavor and nutrition.
variation
You can easily make a vegetarian version by using a meat substitute like tofu, tempeh, or mushrooms. Simply follow the same steps but replace the ground beef with your desired substitute and adjust cooking times accordingly.
FAQs
1. Can I make these wraps ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the filling ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Just assemble the wraps when you’re ready to eat.
2. What kind of lettuce should I use?
Boston Bibb lettuce is great for wraps because it is sturdy and holds the filling well, but you can also use iceberg or romaine lettuce.
3. Can I freeze leftover filling?
Yes, you can freeze the beef filling. Just let it cool down, place it in a freezer-safe container, and store it for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Asian Style Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps
Ingredients
For the sauce
- ¼ cup maple syrup (or brown sugar, or coconut sugar)
- ¼ cup coconut aminos (or tamari, or soy sauce)
- 2 tsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- ¼ – ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tsp arrowroot powder (or cornstarch)
For the filling
- 1 tbsp olive oil for cooking
- 1 lb ground beef use lean for a healthier option
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tsp grated fresh ginger
- 1 medium red bell pepper (finely diced)
- ½ cup shredded carrots
- 4 whole green onions (sliced into 1” pieces)
- to taste Kosher salt
- to taste Ground pepper
- to taste Sesame seeds (for garnish)
- Boston Bibb lettuce for wraps
- Steamed white rice or sautéed cauliflower rice (optional) for serving
Instructions
Preparation
- 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 combined and then add the arrowroot powder, whisking until well incorporated.
- In a 10” skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat until it shimmers, then add the ground beef. Cook, stirring with a wooden spoon to break it up, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and grated ginger to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes until very fragrant.
- Add the diced bell pepper and shredded carrots, cooking until slightly tender, about 3-4 minutes.
- Pour the sauce over the skillet contents and stir. Simmer until the sauce thickens slightly, about 2-3 minutes. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper if needed.
- Stir in the sliced green onions.
Serving
- Spoon the filling into the lettuce wraps (with or without rice) and garnish with sesame seeds. Serve immediately.