Description
These Asian Style Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps are a flavorful, quick, and healthy meal perfect for a light lunch or dinner. Ground beef is cooked with aromatic garlic and ginger, sautéed with fresh bell peppers and carrots, and tossed in a savory-sweet sauce made with maple syrup and coconut aminos. Served in crisp Boston Bibb lettuce leaves, these wraps offer a satisfying blend of textures and tastes, bringing together the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and umami in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Filling
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- ½ cup shredded carrots
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Sauce
- ¼ cup maple syrup or brown sugar
- ¼ cup coconut aminos or soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp arrowroot powder
To Serve
- Boston Bibb lettuce leaves
- Sesame seeds (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine maple syrup, coconut aminos, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes. Whisk in the arrowroot powder until the mixture is smooth and well combined to create a slightly thickening sauce.
- Brown the Ground Beef: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, stirring occasionally, until fully browned and no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Drain any excess fat if needed.
- Add Aromatics: Stir in the minced garlic and grated fresh ginger into the browned beef. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes more, until fragrant, ensuring the flavors infuse the meat.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the diced red bell pepper and shredded carrots to the skillet. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender-crisp and vibrant in color.
- Simmer with Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and vegetable mixture. Stir well to coat everything evenly. Allow the mixture to simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, letting the sauce thicken slightly and flavors to meld.
- Assemble and Serve: Spoon the savory beef filling into fresh Boston Bibb lettuce leaves. Garnish with sesame seeds if desired. Serve immediately as a delicious, handheld wrap.
Notes
- For a gluten-free option, use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
- Adjust the sweetness of the sauce by substituting maple syrup with brown sugar or honey.
- If arrowroot powder is unavailable, cornstarch can be used as a thickener.
- Feel free to add chopped green onions or chopped peanuts for extra texture and flavor.
- To make it spicier, increase red pepper flakes or add a dash of sriracha.
- Serve with a side of steamed rice or quinoa for a more filling meal.
