Savory Asian Beef Lettuce Wraps
Savor the delicious flavors of these Savory Asian Beef Lettuce Wraps that are both healthy and satisfying. This delightful dish features lean ground beef combined with aromatic ginger, garlic, and crunchy water chestnuts, all wrapped in crisp bibb lettuce leaves. Perfect as an appetizer or a light meal, these wraps can be personalized with fresh toppings like shredded carrots, chopped peanuts, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Share this quick and easy recipe with friends and family for a delightful dinner that everyone will enjoy!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ground beef (96% lean)
1.25 lbs (Not cooked)
Olive oil
1 tablespoon (For sautéing)
Onion
1 cup (Roughly chopped)
Garlic cloves
4 (Diced)
Ginger
1 inch (Diced)
Water chestnuts
3/4 cup (Roughly chopped)
Hoisin sauce
5 tablespoons (For mixing)
Soy sauce
1 tablespoon (For mixing)
Bibb lettuce
To taste (Whole leaves for wrapping)
Shredded carrot
To taste (For topping)
Chopped peanuts
To taste (For topping)
Toasted sesame seeds
To taste (For topping)
Chopped green onion
To taste (For topping)
Instructions
1
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon. Season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
2
Transfer the cooked beef to a plate and set aside. In the same skillet, add the chopped onion, diced garlic, and minced ginger. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
3
Return the cooked beef to the pan along with the chopped water chestnuts. Stir to combine all the ingredients.
4
Pour in the hoisin sauce and soy sauce. Mix well and cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
5
To assemble the wraps, spoon the beef mixture into individual bibb lettuce cups. Top with shredded carrots, chopped peanuts, toasted sesame seeds, and sliced green onions. Drizzle with extra hoisin sauce if desired.
6
Serve immediately and enjoy your fresh and flavorful lettuce wraps!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main protein in Savory Asian Beef Lettuce Wraps?
The main protein used is 1.25 lbs of 96% lean ground beef.
What type of lettuce is best for these wraps?
Bibb lettuce is recommended because its soft, flexible leaves form perfect cups for the filling.
How long does it take to cook the ground beef?
The ground beef should be cooked over medium heat for approximately 5-7 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
What aromatics are used to flavor the beef mixture?
The recipe uses a combination of chopped onion, diced garlic cloves, and minced fresh ginger.
How should the water chestnuts be prepared?
The water chestnuts should be roughly chopped before being added to the skillet.
What sauces provide the flavor for this dish?
The primary flavors come from 5 tablespoons of hoisin sauce and 1 tablespoon of soy sauce.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, although the tag suggests it is gluten-free, you must ensure you use a certified gluten-free hoisin sauce and substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.
Are these lettuce wraps considered low carb?
Yes, by using lettuce leaves instead of flour wraps or rice, this dish is a great low-carb meal option.
What toppings can I add to the wraps?
Suggested toppings include shredded carrots, chopped peanuts, toasted sesame seeds, and sliced green onions.
Is this recipe suitable as an appetizer?
Absolutely, these wraps are perfect as either a light appetizer or a healthy main course.
How much olive oil is needed for sautéing?
You will need 1 tablespoon of olive oil to heat the skillet.
How do I assemble the lettuce wraps?
Spoon the cooked beef mixture into individual bibb lettuce cups and then add your desired toppings.
Can I substitute the ground beef with another meat?
Yes, you can easily substitute ground turkey or ground chicken if you prefer a different protein.
What should the onion consistency be?
The onion should be sautéed for 3-4 minutes until it becomes translucent and fragrant.
Are the sesame seeds toasted?
Yes, the recipe calls for toasted sesame seeds to be used as a topping for better flavor.
How many garlic cloves are required?
The recipe requires 4 diced garlic cloves.
Is the ginger fresh or powdered?
The recipe calls for 1 inch of fresh ginger, which should be diced.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 13 ingredients in total used in this recipe.
Can I add extra sauce at the end?
Yes, you can drizzle extra hoisin sauce over the assembled wraps if desired.
How do I prepare the bibb lettuce?
Keep the leaves whole and wash them thoroughly to use as the base for the wraps.
Do I cook the water chestnuts with the beef?
Yes, add the chopped water chestnuts to the pan after the beef has been browned and the aromatics have been sautéed.
How do I prevent the beef from being too chunky?
Break the beef apart with a spoon while it is cooking in the skillet.
Should I season the beef while cooking?
Yes, season the ground beef with salt and pepper while browning it in the skillet.
How long should the sauce simmer with the beef?
After adding the hoisin and soy sauce, cook for another 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
What kind of texture do water chestnuts provide?
Water chestnuts provide a refreshing and crunchy texture to the savory beef filling.
Is this recipe considered easy to make?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy recipe and involves simple sautéing and assembly steps.
Can I prepare the ingredients in advance?
Yes, you can chop the vegetables and aromatics ahead of time to make the cooking process even faster.
What size should the onion pieces be?
The recipe recommends roughly chopping the onion to a 1-cup measurement.
Should I serve the wraps hot or cold?
The beef mixture should be served hot inside the fresh, crisp lettuce leaves for the best experience.
How do I store leftovers?
Store the beef mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator and keep the lettuce leaves separate to maintain their crispness.