Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps are filled with beef and vegetables that are seasoned with a very flavorful, homemade Asian sauce. They can be served as appetizers or as the main dish.
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Lettuce wraps have become a super popular appetizer in recent years.
You might be surprised how easy they are to make at home!
Sesame oil is a staple ingredient in a lot Asian-inspired. dishes. In this recipe, the vegetables and ground beef are cooked in sesame oil so that the flavor comes through in every single bite.
Vegetables used in these wraps include diced shallot, carrots, and water chestnuts. They not only add flavor, but texture and crunch.
Then there is the sauce. It’s so good. It’s made from a simple combination of hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, lots of garlic and ginger.
Why This Recipe Works
Ground beef lettuce wraps are quick and easy to make.
You can serve them as an appetizer, side dish, or even as the main meal.
These wraps are incredibly flavorful and family-friendly, but you can drizzle on some sriracha if you like them a little spicy.
How to Make Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps
Prep!
Dice the shallot, carrots, and water chestnuts. Mince the garlic and ginger.
Create!
Heat the sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the shallot, carrots, and water chestnuts and cook, stirring occasionally, until the shallots begin to soften, about 2-3 minutes.
Season the ground beef with salt and pepper and add to the pan.
Cook, breaking up, until the meat is no longer pink in the center, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease from the pan.
If you are using a lean beef or turkey, you can likely skip draining the grease, as there won’t be much at all.
In a separate bowl, combine the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, garlic, and ginger. Mix well.
Add the sauce to the pan and stir to combine. Cook 1-2 minutes or until heated through.
Present!
Serve by filling leaves of lettuce with the ground beef mixture and top with sriracha, sesame seeds, and/or slices of green onions, if desired.
Tips and Techniques for the Best Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps
- Use ground turkey to make these wraps a bit healthier. You can also use ground pork or chicken, if you prefer.
- You can drizzle on sriracha, if you prefer them to be spicier.
- Store leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. Use within 3-4 days.
FAQ’s
- What kind of lettuce do you use for lettuce wraps? You can use Romaine (as pictured in this post), iceberg, or butter lettuce.
- Can you make lettuce wraps ahead of time? You can make the filling for the lettuce wraps ahead of time and store it, tightly covered, in the refrigerator until needed. It is not recommended to fill the lettuce wraps until you are ready to serve them.
More Asian Inspired Recipes to Try
If you love the flavors in these lettuce wraps, then you may also love this recipe for Sheet Pan Teriyaki Salmon and Vegetables.
Some other Asian-inspired recipes to check out are Vegetable Stir Fry, Mongolian Beef, and Vegetable Stir Fry with Peanut Sauce.
Love this Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps recipe? Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook for more!
Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 shallot * diced small
- 1 carrot * diced small or grated
- 8 ounces water chestnuts * diced small
- 1.5 pounds ground beef * or ground turkey
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 cup hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic * minced
- 2 teaspoons pickled ginger * minced
- 1 head lettuce leaves
- sriracha * optional
- sesame seeds * optional
- green onion * optional
Instructions
- Heat the sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the shallot, carrots, and water chestnuts and cook, stirring occasionally, until the shallots begin to soften, about 2-3 minutes.
- Season the ground beef with salt and pepper and add to the pan.
- Cook, breaking up, until the meat is no longer pink in the center, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease from the pan.
- In a separate bowl, combine the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, garlic, and ginger. Mix well.
- Add the sauce to the pan and stir to combine. Cook 1-2 minutes or until heated through.
- Serve by filling leaves of lettuce with the ground beef mixture and top with sriracha, sesame seeds, and/or slices of green onions, if desired.
Notes
Tips and Techniques for the Best Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps
- Use ground turkey to make these wraps a bit healthier. You can also use ground pork or chicken, if you prefer.
- You can drizzle on sriracha, if you prefer them to be spicier.
- Store leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. Use within 3-4 days.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published on August 31, 2016. It was updated with new images, an updated recipe with more thorough instructions, tips, techniques, and FAQ’s in February 2020.
Tammy says
I made this for just myself. I used the lettuce with the first meal. Second meal I put some over ramen noodles. Third meal I served over rice. Swapped up toppings for each dish. Cilantro, chopped peanuts, lime zest, and crushed red pepper flakes, green onions, etc.
The meat mixture was getting a bit dry so I used a beef bouillon (in water) to make it saucy again. This recipe is totally customizable and was a complete success.
Lauren Vavala says
Wow you really go creative with this recipe! I love all of your ideas – especially the ramen!!
– Lauren
Hayley Dhanecha says
Sesame seeds are my favourites, adds that beautiful crunch to any dish. Such a wonderful and flavoursome recipe that is easy and quick.
Natalie says
This is such a wonderful lunch idea. I love the simplicity and flavors. And it’s so healthy. I’m going to make this for sure. Delicious!
Nicole says
I can definitely see myself making this for my fam. Great recipe
Brianna says
Lettuce wraps are one of my favorite appetizers and your recipe was super easy to make. I especially love the jazzed up hoisin sauce.
EA Stewart says
Such an easy, yet flavorful recipe! I like mine spicy so the sriracha on top is perfect. Delicious with ground turkey too!
Jamie says
I love how flavorful these wraps are and how simple it is to make! Turkey is such a great addition for a healthy twist. Love the recipe!
LaKita says
These lettuce wraps look so mouthwatering and delicious! I have everything on hand and will be making them this evening!
Amy Liu Dong says
I love how easy, healthy, and delicious this dish. I will make this for everyone this weekend. Thank you!
Mikayla says
This came together so easily and the cool lettuce wrap made it a perfect warm summer evening meal!
Gloria says
What a delicious lunch or appetizer. Perfect alternative to bread. I know my family would devour these.
Frankie Pinnix says
This sounds great as an appetizer or main dish, especially during the summer! I like the Asian flavor twist!
Jacqueline Meldrum says
I always forget about lettuce wraps. I am going to add them to my fast days this week. Thanks for the reminder.
Emma says
Love the Asian flavours in these wraps! Healthy too 😀
Amy | The Cook Report says
I love anything with sesame and these lettuce wraps look so delicious!
Patty K-P says
I’m such a sucker for lettuce wraps. Love how you made them just a little bit more waistline-friendly by using ground turkey!
Sharon Chen says
This recipe is so healthy and it looks so yummy!
Sara Kate Styling says
Oh my gosh!! I love lettuce wraps! They are so easy to make and they are so tasty. Great recipe.
xo,
Sara Kate Styling
Nikki says
I totally made this recipe this week, but with ground chicken! So delicious. It’s one of our favorites. And I also dislike breaking up ground meat with a spatula. My forearm hurts just thinking about it.
ourlittleeverything says
Awesome! Someday I am going to break down and order that darn meat chopper thing!
Kristen Kavan says
my mouth is literally watering just reading this. I am with you on the seasme oil! I LOVE it. These look incredible. I’m pinning for later!
thesocialbeing721 says
Thank you! I love lettuce wraps and always looking for new filling recipes! I’ll be making these.
ananda says
water chestnuts! such a great idea! i love hot sauce too, the siracha is a must! =)
Ashley says
Yum! These look delicious and easy! Putting this on the list for next week’s dinners!
xo Ashley
ourlittleeverything says
Thanks so much Ashley!
Agnes says
Haven’t made lettuce wraps in a while. These look yummy
Elaine McKellips says
These look delicious! Must try. And so easy!
Kirsten says
I love lettuce wraps and turkey! This sounds right up my alley!
kirsten – http://thewanderingbrunette.com
Alexis Prieto says
I love lettuce wraps! This recipe is a nice twist to the usual recipe. Can’t wait to try it!
Brittany says
These look pretty amazing! I love a good lettuce wrap!
bev says
These look so delicious. I am definitely adding them to my list of recipes to try this week.
Shannon says
I love your version of this! What a great meal that seems like the whole family would like!
Adaleta Avdic says
Yummy! I’m normally not the biggest advocate for turkey, but in lettuce wraps I can hang 😉 xx Adaleta Avdic
Chelsea Pearl says
This is THE lettuce wrap recipe I’ve been looking for. Looks like crunchy, hearty goodness.
ourlittleeverything says
Thanks Chelsea!
Hannah says
These look delicious!! You’ve made me super hungry and I love how these are moderately healthy as well!
Jaye shields says
I make something very similar and it’s so delicious!
Anna says
I love ground turkey and lettuce wraps. Pinning this for later!
ourlittleeverything says
Thanks Anna!
Christy F says
These look really fresh and delicious! I love lettuce wraps, I will have to try this recipe!
gracie says
Yum!! This looks so good. Definitely gonna try these! xx, gracie
snappedbygracie.com
Erica @ Coming Up Roses says
These look SO SO SO (so) yummy!!! I tried lettuce wraps earlier in summer and my fiance and I both loved, so I’ll def be making these, too.
Coming Up Roses
ourlittleeverything says
Yay! I hope you like these just as much!
Justine Y @ Little Dove says
Oh yummy, I love lettuce wraps. Haven’t been to PF Changs in awhile, so I’ll have nothing to compare them to. 🙂
ourlittleeverything says
Haha! You and me both!
Sumer (Grace Giggles & Naptime) says
Yum!! These look amazing. And love P.F. Changs!! 😉
Melanie says
I absolutely love sesame oil! I use it all over everything but turkey (so far)! I haven’t tried that yet. I’ll definitely be adding it to the recipe list this week.
Maria says
I already saved and pinned for later because these look awesome and easy!
The Golden Girl Diary says
Your recipes are seriously the best! It’s like you know exactly what kind of food I like! I will have to try this one out for sure!
xo, Amanda
ourlittleeverything says
Aww thank you SO much Amanda!! I hope you enjoy these!
Ashley Solberg says
Umm, this looks so amazingly delicious! I cannot wait to try!
Francesca says
These look delicious! I’m cutting carbs and these would be a perfect meal idea for me! I’ll definitely be putting this on my list of things to make asap!!
ourlittleeverything says
Yes! You don’t even miss the carbs with this one!
Melissa says
These look so yummy!!! I love sesame oil, and we try to use it whenever we make stir-fry etc but I never thought to do it for a lettuce wrap! A nice light and healthy meal. Thanks for sharing!
candy says
Love these lettuce wraps and will be using your recipe for our next women get together.
Julie Mason says
These look great with an Asian flair. Yum!