These lettuce wraps are bursting with Asian flavors, delicious, and a great idea for entertaining or a family-style meal. To serve, allow each person to spoon a portion of the beef mixture into a lettuce leaf. Wrap the lettuce around the beef like a burrito and enjoy!
Serve on small plates or have napkins available since the mixture can sometimes drip a little.
Ingredients for Asian Lettuce Wraps
- 16 Boston Bibb or butter lettuce leaves
- 1 Pound Lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon Cooking oil
- 1 large Onion, chopped
- ¼ cup Hoisin sauce
- 2 Cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Rice wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Minced pickled ginger
- 1 dash Asian chile pepper sauce, or to taste (Optional)
- 1 (8 ounce) can Water chestnuts, drained and finely chopped
- 1 bunch Green onions, chopped
- 2 teaspoons Asian (dark) sesame oil
Steps to Preparing Asian Lettuce Wraps
Gather all ingredients. Rinse whole lettuce leaves and pat dry, being careful not to tear them; set aside.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef; cook and stir until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain and discard grease; transfer beef to a bowl.
Add onion to the same skillet; cook and stir until just tender, 5 to 7 minutes.
Stir in hoisin sauce, garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, ginger, and chile pepper sauce until well combined. Add water chestnuts, green onions, sesame oil, and cooked beef; cook and stir until the onions just begin to wilt, about 2 minutes.
Arrange lettuce leaves around the outer edge of a large serving platter; spoon beef mixture in the center.