Description
These Asian Style Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps offer a flavorful and healthy meal option, combining a savory-sweet sauce with fresh vegetables and seasoned ground beef. Served in crisp Boston Bibb lettuce leaves, they make for a light yet satisfying dish perfect for lunch or dinner, with optional rice for added substance.
Ingredients
Sauce 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)
Main Ingredients
- 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 leaves
- Steamed white rice or sautéed cauliflower rice (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Make the sauce. Combine the maple syrup, coconut aminos, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, and red pepper flakes (if using) in a measuring cup. Whisk together until thoroughly combined. Add the arrowroot powder and whisk again until the mixture is smooth and well incorporated.
- Cook the ground beef. Heat the olive oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add the ground beef and cook, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon to break it up, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic and ginger. Stir in the minced garlic and grated fresh ginger, cooking and stirring for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and aromatic.
- Cook vegetables. Add the finely diced red bell pepper and shredded carrots to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender but still crisp.
- Add the sauce and simmer. Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and vegetables, stir well to combine, and simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Taste and season with kosher salt and ground pepper as needed.
- Stir in green onions. Fold in the sliced green onions just before serving to retain freshness and flavor.
- Serve in lettuce wraps. Spoon the beef mixture into Boston Bibb lettuce leaves. Optionally serve with steamed white rice or sautéed cauliflower rice. Garnish with sesame seeds. This recipe makes about 8 wraps without rice or 12 wraps if served with rice.
Notes
- Maple syrup can be substituted with brown sugar or coconut sugar for alternative sweetness.
- Coconut aminos can be swapped with tamari or soy sauce depending on dietary preferences.
- Arrowroot powder thickens the sauce without cloudiness; cornstarch may be used but might alter the sauce clarity.
- Red pepper flakes are optional and can be adjusted for desired spiciness or omitted entirely.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure soy sauce or tamari used is gluten-free.
- Lettuce wraps should be assembled just before serving to prevent sogginess.
