Description
Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps are a quick, healthy, and flavorful dinner option combining savory seasoned lean ground beef with crisp lettuce leaves. Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, providing a light, carb-conscious meal that’s family-friendly, easy to customize, and packed with vibrant textures and tastes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce (check for gluten-free or omit if desired)
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1/2 cup water chestnuts, chopped
- 3 green onions, sliced
- Butter lettuce or iceberg lettuce leaves (about 8-12 leaves)
- Optional: 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Finely dice the onion, mince the garlic, chop the water chestnuts, and slice the green onions. Wash and separate the lettuce leaves carefully to keep them intact and crisp for wrapping.
- Cook the Ground Beef: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Break up the meat with a spatula as it cooks until browned and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed to keep the wraps light.
- Add Aromatics and Sauces: Add diced onion and minced garlic to the browned beef. Cook together for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant. Stir in soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and rice vinegar to coat the beef mixture evenly and infuse rich flavor.
- Mix in Crunch and Freshness: Fold in chopped water chestnuts and sliced green onions. Cook a little longer until everything is warmed through and the flavors meld beautifully.
- Assemble the Wraps: Spoon a portion of the savory beef mixture into the center of each lettuce leaf, folding like a taco. Serve immediately for maximum crunch and freshness.
Notes
- Choose butter or Boston lettuce for flexible, sturdy leaves ideal for wrapping.
- Cook beef just until browned to keep it juicy and prevent drying out.
- Adjust soy sauce and rice vinegar amounts to balance salty, sweet, and tangy flavors to your liking.
- Add fresh herbs like cilantro or mint just before serving for a burst of freshness.
- Prepare the beef mixture in advance and refrigerate separately from the lettuce for quick assembly later.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute soy sauce with tamari and verify hoisin sauce ingredients.
- Optional garnishes include chopped peanuts, sesame seeds, or fresh herbs to enhance texture and presentation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 2-3 wraps)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: ground beef lettuce wraps, quick dinner, healthy wraps, low-carb dinner, gluten-free meal, Asian lettuce wraps, family-friendly recipe
