Easy Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps
These Easy Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps are a delicious mix of savory, a little sweet, and just the right amount of spice. You’ve got lean ground beef cooked up with fresh veggies, garlic, and ginger, all coated in a sauce that’s sweet with a little kick from red pepper flakes. And the best part? You get to spoon that tasty filling into cool, crisp lettuce leaves, so every bite is fresh, crunchy, and super satisfying. They come together in about 25 minutes, which makes them perfect for a quick dinner, a light lunch, or even a fun appetizer when you’re having friends over. Easy, tasty, and always a crowd-pleaser!
4 Servings
Ingredients
For the Sauce:
- 1/4 c light brown sugar
- 1/4 c soy sauce
- 2 tsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
For the Filling:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 red bell pepper finely diced
- 1/2 c shredded carrots
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tsp fresh ginger grated
- 1 8-ounce can water chestnuts, drained and roughly chopped
- 1/2 c chopped green onions
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- Sesame seeds for serving
- Butter lettuce or bibb lettuce for serving
Instructions
Make the Sauce:
- Start by grabbing a measuring cup and whisking together the brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Once everything’s smooth, add the cornstarch and give it another whisk to make sure it’s fully mixed. Set it aside for later.
Cook the Beef:
- Warm up some olive oil in a big skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once the oil’s hot, add the ground beef. Season it with a bit of salt and pepper, and cook until it’s browned and no longer pink. Break it up as it cooks so you get nice, even pieces.
Add the Veggies:
- Add in the diced bell pepper and shredded carrots, and give it a good stir. Stir them around for about 3-4 minutes, or until they’re just starting to soften but still have a bit of crunch.
Flavor Boost:
- Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, and stir everything together for another minute. You’ll know it’s ready when you can smell all those delicious, warm, fragrant flavors blending together.
Combine with Water Chestnuts & Sauce:
- Stir in the chopped water chestnuts, then pour in the sauce you made earlier. Keep stirring as it comes to a gentle simmer, letting it cook for about 2 minutes until the sauce thickens up nicely and coats everything.
Finish & Serve:
- Give the filling a quick taste, and if it needs a little extra salt or pepper, go ahead and add it. Stir in the chopped green onions, then spoon the mixture into crisp lettuce leaves. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, and dig in. Enjoy it while it’s warm!
Notes
Want to make these lettuce wraps gluten-free? It’s a breeze! Just swap out the regular soy sauce for a gluten-free version. You can usually find it right next to the regular soy sauce in the store, and it tastes just as delicious. Double-check that your other ingredients, like the cornstarch and rice vinegar, are also gluten-free (most are, but it’s good to be sure). With these simple swaps, you can enjoy all the same flavors without any worry. Easy, tasty, and gluten-free—what’s not to love?