Beef Lettuce Wraps Hoisin (Printable)
Ground beef cooked with vegetables and hoisin sauce, served in crisp lettuce cups for a fresh and tasty meal.
# What You Need:
→ Protein
01 - 1 lb lean ground beef
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
03 - 1 small onion, finely diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
06 - 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
07 - 1 carrot, shredded
08 - 1/2 cup water chestnuts, chopped (optional)
09 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
10 - 1 head butter or iceberg lettuce, leaves separated and washed
→ Sauce
11 - 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
12 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
13 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
14 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil
15 - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
16 - 1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
17 - 2 tablespoons water
→ Garnish
18 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
19 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
# How To Make:
01 - In a small bowl, mix hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, red pepper flakes (if using), cornstarch (if using), and water. Set aside.
02 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook for 2 minutes until slightly softened.
03 - Add garlic and ginger; sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes.
05 - Stir in bell pepper, carrot, and water chestnuts (if using). Cook for another 2-3 minutes until vegetables are just tender.
06 - Pour in the sauce mixture and cook, stirring, for 2-3 minutes until the beef is well coated and sauce thickens slightly.
07 - Remove from heat and stir in green onions.
08 - To serve, spoon the beef mixture into lettuce leaves. Garnish with sesame seeds and cilantro. Wrap and enjoy immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- These wraps come together in under 40 minutes but taste like something from a restaurant
- Everyone gets to build their own perfect bite, which makes dinner feel interactive and fun
02 -
- Don't skip toasting your sesame seeds, just put them in a dry pan for two minutes until fragrant and golden
- Butter lettuce bruises easily, so separate the leaves gently and don't prepare them more than a few hours ahead
03 -
- If your lettuce leaves keep tearing, try running them under warm water for 10 seconds before separating
- Double the sauce recipe and keep half in the refrigerator for quick stir fries all week long