Beef Lettuce Wraps with Hoisin (Printable)
Seasoned ground beef with vegetables in hoisin sauce nestled in crisp lettuce leaves. Fresh, easy, and perfect for appetizers or light meals.
# What You'll Need:
→ Protein & Vegetables
01 - 1 lb lean ground beef
02 - 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
03 - 1 small onion, finely diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
06 - 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
07 - 1 carrot, peeled and finely shredded
08 - 4 green onions, thinly sliced
09 - 1 head butter or Bibb lettuce, leaves separated and washed
→ Sauce
10 - 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
11 - 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
12 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
13 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
14 - 1 teaspoon sriracha or chili garlic sauce
→ Garnishes
15 - 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, chopped
16 - Fresh cilantro leaves
# How to Make It:
01 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until browned and cooked through, approximately 5-6 minutes.
02 - Drain excess fat if necessary. Add diced onion, minced garlic, and grated ginger to the skillet. Sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant and onion begins to soften.
03 - Stir in red bell pepper and shredded carrot. Cook for 2-3 minutes until vegetables are just tender.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together hoisin sauce, low-sodium soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and sriracha.
05 - Pour prepared sauce over beef mixture and stir thoroughly. Cook for 1-2 minutes until everything is heated through and evenly coated.
06 - Remove from heat and stir in sliced green onions.
07 - Spoon beef mixture into the center of each lettuce leaf. Top with chopped peanuts and fresh cilantro.
08 - Wrap lettuce around filling and serve immediately.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- Each bite delivers that magical contrast between warm savory filling and cool crisp lettuce that somehow makes you feel virtuous and indulgent at the same time.
- The prep work is wonderfully straightforward, making this my go-to recipe when friends drop by unexpectedly but I still want to impress.
02 -
- Draining excess fat after browning the beef is crucial otherwise your filling can end up swimming in grease, making the lettuce leaves slip and slide when you try to wrap them.
- The sauce thickens quickly once added to the hot pan, so have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you start cooking.
03 -
- Pat the lettuce leaves completely dry after washing them, otherwise they'll tear when you try to wrap them around the filling.
- Keep the filling and garnishes in separate serving bowls at the table, letting everyone build their own wraps ensures they stay crisp rather than wilting from the heat.