Description
Savory beef lettuce wraps with Asian-inspired sauce and crunchy water chestnuts. Quick, easy, and perfect for a light meal!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
- 1 (8 ounce) can water chestnuts, drained and finely chopped
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 head of butter lettuce, leaves separated and washed
- Optional toppings: chopped green onions, sesame seeds, sriracha, chopped peanuts
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned. Drain excess grease.
- Add Aromatics: Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Add minced garlic and diced red bell pepper, cook 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Incorporate Water Chestnuts: Stir in chopped water chestnuts.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, sesame oil, ground ginger, and red pepper flakes. Taste and adjust seasonings.
- Combine Sauce and Beef: Pour sauce over beef mixture in the skillet. Stir well to coat. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until sauce thickens slightly. Stir occasionally.
- Prepare Lettuce Cups: Gently separate butter lettuce leaves. Wash and pat dry.
- Fill Lettuce Cups: Spoon beef mixture into lettuce cups.
- Add Toppings: Garnish with desired toppings (green onions, sesame seeds, sriracha, peanuts).
- Serve: Serve immediately.
Notes
- Spice Level: Adjust red pepper flakes to your preference. Add sriracha for extra heat.
- Vegetables: Add shredded carrots, diced mushrooms, or chopped celery for more nutrients and texture.
- Protein: Substitute ground turkey, ground chicken, or tofu for ground beef.
- Vegetarian: Use crumbled tofu or plant-based ground meat substitute.
- Make Ahead: Prepare beef mixture ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat before serving.
- Dipping Sauce: Serve with peanut sauce, sweet chili sauce, or a soy sauce/sesame oil mixture.
- Lettuce: Romaine or iceberg lettuce can be used as a substitute for butter lettuce.
- Crunch: Add crispy fried noodles or crushed wonton chips for an extra crunchy element.
- Lime: A squeeze of fresh lime juice over the finished lettuce wraps adds a bright, zesty flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes