Spicy Mexican Beef Lettuce Wraps
Experience a delightful twist on traditional stir-fry with this Spicy Mexican Beef Lettuce Wraps recipe! Unlike typical stir-fries served over rice, this dish is plated on a refreshing bed of shredded iceberg lettuce, making it light yet satisfying. The vibrant combination of top round steak, fresh vegetables, and zesty spices creates a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. For spice lovers, the inclusion of jalapeños adds a fiery kick, while additional toppings like salsa, chunky avocado, crisp green onions, and creamy sour cream offer a burst of freshness. This recipe is incredibly versatile, allowing you to serve it piping hot for a cozy meal or chilled as a refreshing salad. Whichever way you choose, it’s sure to impress your family and friends!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Top Round Steak
1 lb (Trim excess fat and slice diagonally into 1/8 inch strips.)
Vegetable Oil
1 tablespoon (Use as directed in cooking.)
Garlic Clove
1 (Minced.)
Ground Cumin
1 teaspoon (Use as directed in cooking.)
Dried Oregano
1 teaspoon (Use as directed in cooking.)
Medium Onion
1 (Cut into thin wedges.)
Red Bell Pepper
1 (Cut into very thin strips.)
Jalapeño Pepper
1-2 (Seeded and cut into very thin strips.)
Iceberg Lettuce
3 cups (Shredded, for serving.)
Instructions
1
Begin by trimming any excess fat from the top round steak. Slice the meat diagonally against the grain into 1/8-inch wide strips and set aside.
2
In a small bowl, combine the vegetable oil, minced garlic, ground cumin, and dried oregano until well mixed.
3
In a large nonstick skillet, heat half of the oil mixture over medium-high heat for about 2 minutes. Add the onion, red bell pepper, and jalapeño pepper to the skillet, stir-frying for around 2 minutes or until the vegetables are crisp-tender. Once cooked, remove the vegetables from the skillet and keep warm.
4
Add the remaining oil mixture to the skillet. Place the reserved beef strips in the skillet and stir-fry for about 2 minutes, until they are just browned.
5
Return the cooked vegetables to the skillet with the beef, stir-frying for an additional minute until everything is heated through.
6
To serve, create a bed of shredded iceberg lettuce on a plate, then spoon the hot beef stir-fry mixture over the lettuce. Garnish with your choice of salsa, diced avocado, chopped green onions, and a dollop of sour cream if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Spicy Mexican Beef Lettuce Wraps?
They are a Mexican-inspired stir-fry made with top round steak and fresh vegetables, served over a refreshing bed of shredded iceberg lettuce instead of rice.
What kind of meat is used in this recipe?
The recipe specifically calls for one pound of top round steak.
How should I slice the beef for this dish?
The meat should be trimmed of excess fat and sliced diagonally against the grain into 1/8-inch wide strips.
What spices are used in the seasoning mixture?
The seasoning mixture is a combination of minced garlic, ground cumin, and dried oregano mixed with vegetable oil.
What vegetables are included in the stir-fry?
The stir-fry includes a medium onion, a red bell pepper, and one to two jalapeño peppers.
How do I prepare the onion?
The onion should be cut into thin wedges before being added to the skillet.
How should the red bell pepper be sliced?
The red bell pepper should be cut into very thin strips.
How many jalapeño peppers should I use?
You can use one or two jalapeño peppers depending on your desired level of spiciness.
How do I prepare the jalapeño peppers?
The jalapeños should be seeded and then cut into very thin strips.
What is used as the base instead of rice?
This recipe uses three cups of shredded iceberg lettuce as a light and refreshing base.
What type of oil is used for cooking?
The recipe calls for one tablespoon of vegetable oil.
How long should I cook the vegetables?
Stir-fry the onion, bell pepper, and jalapeños for about 2 minutes until they are crisp-tender.
How long does it take to brown the beef?
The beef strips should be stir-fried for approximately 2 minutes until they are just browned.
When do I combine the beef and the vegetables?
After the beef is browned, return the cooked vegetables to the skillet and stir-fry for an additional minute.
Can this dish be served cold?
Yes, this dish is versatile and can be served piping hot or chilled as a refreshing salad.
What are some recommended garnishes?
You can garnish the wraps with salsa, diced avocado, chopped green onions, and a dollop of sour cream.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, it is tagged as a healthy, high-protein, and low-carb meal option.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe requires one minced garlic clove.
What kind of skillet is recommended?
A large nonstick skillet is recommended for stir-frying the ingredients.
Why should I slice the beef against the grain?
Slicing against the grain ensures that the beef strips are tender and easier to eat.
How much cumin is used in the recipe?
One teaspoon of ground cumin is used for the spice mix.
How much oregano is required?
The recipe calls for one teaspoon of dried oregano.
Is this a quick meal to prepare?
Yes, the stir-fry process itself takes about 5 minutes, making it an ideal quick meal.
Should I remove the seeds from the jalapeños?
Yes, the recipe suggests seeding the jalapeños before slicing them into strips.
How do I serve the stir-fry mixture?
Create a bed of shredded lettuce on a plate and spoon the hot beef stir-fry mixture directly over it.
What makes this a Mexican-style dish?
The use of cumin, oregano, garlic, jalapeños, and toppings like salsa and avocado gives it a Mexican flavor profile.
Can I use a different type of steak?
While top round is specified, other lean steaks could work as long as they are sliced thinly.
How much shredded lettuce is needed?
The recipe calls for three cups of shredded iceberg lettuce.
What is the first step of the instructions?
The first step is to trim excess fat from the steak and slice it into 1/8-inch wide strips.
Can I make this recipe more spicy?
Yes, you can use two jalapeños and add extra salsa to increase the heat level.