Ramen Lettuce Wraps with Spicy Peanut Sauce
Experience a fresh and vibrant twist on traditional ramen with these Ramen Lettuce Wraps! Combining crisp romaine leaves with a luscious spicy peanut sauce, this dish is bursting with flavor and texture. The crunchy bean sprouts, sweet mandarin oranges, and colorful veggies offer a delightful contrast to the creamy sauce, making each bite a crunchy, savory explosion. Perfect as a quick meal or fun finger food for gatherings, these wraps are easy to assemble and can be customized with grilled steak, shrimp, or chicken for added protein. With minimal cooking time and no need for utensils, they’re a perfect, healthy option for busy days or entertaining guests. Serve them up with a side of extra sauce for dipping, and prepare for a taste sensation that everyone will love!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
Brown Sugar
2 teaspoons (none)
Soy Sauce
2 teaspoons (none)
Garlic
1-2 cloves (minced)
Vegetable Oil
1 tablespoon (none)
Sesame Oil
1 teaspoon (none)
Sambal Oelek
1 tablespoon (none)
Lime
1 (juiced and zested)
Fresh Basil or Cilantro
5 leaves (whole)
Hot Water
1/3 cup (none)
Peanut Butter
2/3 cup (none)
Ramen Noodles
3 ounces (cooked)
Bean Sprouts
14 ounces (rinsed and drained)
Romaine Lettuce
1 head (washed and dried)
Mandarin Oranges
10 ounces (drained)
Red Pepper
1 large (shredded)
Carrot
1 large (shredded)
Scallions
2 (sliced thin on an angle)
Celery
1 large stalk (sliced thin on an angle)
Peanuts
1/4 cup (toasted and chopped)
Instructions
1
Start by preparing the Spicy Creamy Peanut Sauce. In a blender, combine the brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic, vegetable oil, sesame oil, sambal oelek, lime juice, lime zest, and fresh basil or cilantro. Blend until smooth and creamy. Set aside the sauce for later.
2
Next, boil water in a pot and add the ramen noodles. Cook for 3 minutes until tender.
3
While the noodles are cooking, rinse the bean sprouts under cold water and drain them in a colander.
4
After the ramen is cooked, drain it over the colander to combine it with the bean sprouts, allowing the hot noodles to slightly wilt the sprouts as they sit for a couple of minutes.
5
Transfer the noodle-bean sprout mixture to a large bowl. Mix in 1/2 cup of the previously prepared peanut sauce, ensuring everything is well coated. Reserve the remaining sauce in a small bowl for serving.
6
Prepare the serving platter by arranging the romaine leaves, mandarin oranges, shredded red pepper, shredded carrot, scallions, celery, and toasted, chopped peanuts in an attractive manner.
7
Now, it's time to assemble! Each person takes a romaine leaf, adds a portion of the noodle mixture, a selection of veggies, a few pieces of mandarin oranges, and a drizzle of the spicy peanut sauce. Fold the leaf over to create a wrap, and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Ramen Lettuce Wraps with Spicy Peanut Sauce?
These wraps are a fresh twist on ramen, featuring romaine leaves, a spicy peanut sauce, crunchy bean sprouts, and mandarin oranges.
How long do I cook the ramen noodles?
The ramen noodles should be boiled in water for approximately 3 minutes until they are tender.
What is the trick to wilting the bean sprouts?
Drain the hot, cooked ramen noodles directly over the bean sprouts in a colander to allow the heat to slightly wilt them.
What are the ingredients in the Spicy Creamy Peanut Sauce?
The sauce contains brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic, vegetable oil, sesame oil, sambal oelek, lime juice, lime zest, peanut butter, hot water, and fresh basil or cilantro.
How should I prepare the peanut sauce?
Combine all sauce ingredients in a blender and blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
What kind of lettuce is best for these wraps?
Romaine lettuce is recommended because its sturdy leaves make for a perfect wrap.
Can I add protein to this recipe?
Yes, you can customize the wraps by adding grilled steak, shrimp, or chicken for added protein.
What vegetables are used in the filling?
The recipe includes shredded red pepper, shredded carrot, sliced scallions, and sliced celery.
Are the oranges used fresh or canned?
The recipe calls for 10 ounces of drained mandarin oranges.
How much peanut sauce should be mixed with the noodles?
Mix 1/2 cup of the prepared spicy peanut sauce into the noodle and bean sprout mixture.
What provides the spicy kick in the sauce?
Sambal oelek is the ingredient responsible for the spicy flavor in the peanut sauce.
How should I cut the scallions and celery?
Both the scallions and the celery stalk should be sliced thin on an angle.
Do I need to toast the peanuts?
Yes, the 1/4 cup of peanuts should be toasted and chopped before being added to the platter.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this is a vegetarian-friendly recipe as long as no meat protein is added.
What herbs can be used in the peanut sauce?
You can use either fresh basil or fresh cilantro depending on your preference.
How do I assemble the wraps?
Take a romaine leaf, add a portion of the noodle mixture, top with assorted veggies and mandarin oranges, and drizzle with extra sauce.
How many garlic cloves are required?
The recipe calls for 1 to 2 minced garlic cloves for the sauce.
Should I save any of the sauce for serving?
Yes, reserve the remaining sauce in a small bowl to serve on the side for dipping or extra drizzling.
How are the carrots and red pepper prepared?
Both the red pepper and the large carrot should be shredded.
How many ramen noodles do I need?
The recipe uses 3 ounces of ramen noodles.
What amount of bean sprouts is used?
You will need 14 ounces of bean sprouts, rinsed and drained.
Does the recipe use lime zest?
Yes, the recipe requires both the juice and the zest of one lime.
How much peanut butter is in the sauce?
The sauce uses 2/3 cup of peanut butter as a creamy base.
Is sesame oil included?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of sesame oil is added to the sauce for a nutty aroma.
Can these be served as appetizers?
Yes, they are described as a fun finger food perfect for gatherings and entertaining guests.
Is sugar added to the sauce?
Yes, 2 teaspoons of brown sugar are included to balance the flavors.
What type of oil is used besides sesame oil?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil.
How much hot water is needed for the sauce?
The recipe uses 1/3 cup of hot water to help blend the sauce ingredients.
Is this a quick meal?
Yes, it is designed as a quick meal with minimal cooking time.
How many scallions are used?
The recipe uses 2 scallions for the topping.