There is simply nothing better than a fresh and crisp lettuce wrap for an appetizer, lunch or dinner! After testing a variety of different lettuce wrap options we created the most flavorful chicken lettuce wraps and then added some more veggies for our buffalo cauliflower lettuce wraps. Both are SO good! We kept the good flavors rolling and made these delicious ground beef lettuce wraps that we frequently make on busy weeknights.
Looking for More Easy Dinner Recipes?
Then you definitely need to try our Chicken Lettuce Wraps or our Ground Beef Taco Bowl!
Key Ingredients + Substitutions
Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, and estimated nutritional information.
- ground beef – option to switch it out for a lean meat like ground turkey or ground chicken.
- lettuce – highly recommend a crisp butter lettuce or bibb lettuce, but romaine and iceberg work too.
- red pepper flakes – feel free to omit them if spice isn’t your thing or adjust the amount to the spice level that you prefer.
- soy sauce – swap out for coconut aminos to make it gluten-free.
How To Make Beef Lettuce Wraps
Best Ways To Serve Beef Lettuce Wraps
Highly recommend enjoying these ground beef lettuce wraps with a squeeze of fresh lime juice on top, green onions and cilantro. A sprinkling of sesame seeds would make a great addition. And if you want to round out this recipe with sides to make a complete meal, we suggest some spicy pork wontons.
Storage & Freezer
If you have some leftovers, place the beef mixture in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Keep the rice, toppings, and lettuce separate for easier reheating. The beef mixture can also be placed in a freezer-safe container in the freezer for up to 3 months, if you want to prep for the future. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in a skillet.
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Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner/Entree
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Description
Our quick and easy Beef Lettuce Wraps recipe is a seriously delicious weeknight meal that your whole family will love!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (sub avocado oil)
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- 3/4 cup sweet yellow onion, diced
- 1/2 cup carrot, diced
- 1 can water chestnuts, diced (optional)
- 1 – 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
- kosher salt and ground black pepper
- optional: 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 head of butter lettuce (romaine or iceberg work too)
Sauce:
- 1/4 cup coconut aminos (or soy sauce, if not Whole30)
- 2 tablespoons beef broth
- 1 1/2 teaspoon tapioca starch
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon orange juice concentrate
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (more or less to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/4 teaspoon fish sauce
Toppings:
- 2 cups cauliflower rice or cilantro lime cauliflower rice, cooked (sub with any rice variety, if not Paleo/Whole30)
- Lime wedges
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Green onions, sliced
- Avocado, sliced
- Red onion, sliced
Instructions
- Sauté Veggies: In a large cast iron skillet, add 1 tablespoon oil to coat the bottom of the pan and bring to medium-high heat. Add 2 teaspoons garlic & 1 teaspoon ginger; stir to allow them to cook until aromatic, about 1-2 minutes. Add diced onion, carrots, & water chestnuts (if using) to the hot pan; cook 2-3 minutes moving around the pan. Add additional oil, if pan gets dry.
- Brown Beef: Add ground beef, break apart and move around pan with spatula, allowing to cook fully. Season with a generous pinch of salt and pepper, plus 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (if using).
- Make Sauce: Put the Sauce ingredients in a small bowl and whisk together until it is fully combined. Add Sauce to the ground beef and mix on medium-high heat. It will thicken quickly, about 1 minute.
- Serve: Take a piece of butter lettuce and top with rice and then some of the ground beef mixture. Squeeze fresh lime juice on top, add green onions, cilantro, and any other toppings.
Notes
- Ground Beef: feel free to sub ground turkey or ground chicken for the beef, but just be aware that it has a more mild flavor, so you may need to adjust the seasonings.
- Tapioca Starch: option to use arrowroot starch, instead of tapioca starch, if you need to, but tapioca starch tends to work the best.
- Rice: to be Paleo/Whole30 compliant you will want to use a cauliflower rice, but if that isn’t a concern for you feel free to use white rice, brown rice, any variety!
- Nutrition Info was calculated with cauliflower rice, not regular rice.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6oz
- Calories: 265
- Sugar: 4.6 g
- Sodium: 453 mg
- Fat: 7.9 g
- Carbohydrates: 21.6 g
- Protein: 27.5 g
- Cholesterol: 67.8 mg
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