Beef Lettuce Wraps
Beef Lettuce Wraps are a quick, healthy, and flavorful handheld lunch option featuring seasoned lean ground beef wrapped in crisp romaine or butter lettuce leaves, topped with fresh vegetables and vibrant sauces. This low-carb recipe is perfect for busy weekdays, meal prep, and customizable to suit your taste preferences while delivering satisfying protein and refreshing crunch.
- Author: Emilly
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 8–10 large romaine or butter lettuce leaves
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (use gluten-free tamari if needed)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 3 green onions, sliced
- 1 medium carrot, finely shredded
- 1/2 cup water chestnuts, chopped (optional)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1–2 teaspoons chili sauce or Sriracha (adjust to taste)
- Prepare the Beef Mixture: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add a splash of sesame oil. Sauté minced garlic and ginger until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula, and cook until browned and cooked through. Stir in soy sauce and a dash of chili sauce, then remove from heat.
- Prepare Toppings and Lettuce: While the beef cooks, rinse and separate large lettuce leaves for wrapping. Finely shred carrots, slice green onions, and chop water chestnuts if using. Set these aside for easy assembly.
- Assemble the Wraps: Spoon the savory beef mixture onto the center of each lettuce leaf. Top with shredded carrots, green onions, and crunchy water chestnuts. Drizzle additional chili sauce or a squeeze of lime if desired.
- Serve and Enjoy: Fold the lettuce around the filling like a taco and dig in immediately to enjoy the crunchy, juicy texture combined with vibrant flavors.
Notes
- Use fresh, crisp lettuce leaves to avoid sogginess and provide good structure for wrapping.
- Do not overcook the beef; keep it slightly moist for tenderness and better flavor absorption.
- Chop vegetables uniformly to ensure consistent crunch and color in every bite.
- Toast sesame oil gently by adding it towards the end of cooking to preserve its nutty flavor.
- Assemble wraps right before eating for the freshest texture.
- Store beef mixture and lettuce separately for meal prep to maintain freshness.
- Use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari to make this recipe gluten-free.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 wrap
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: beef lettuce wraps, low carb lunch, healthy wraps, quick dinner, gluten free, Asian inspired, meal prep, ground beef recipe