Name: Asian Style Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: ¼ cup maple syrup (or brown sugar, or coconut sugar); ¼ cup coconut aminos (or tamari, or soy sauce); 2 tsp rice vinegar; 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil; ¼ – ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional); 2 tsp arrowroot powder (or cornstarch); 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 lb ground beef; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tsp grated fresh ginger; 1 medium red bell pepper, finely diced; ½ cup shredded carrots; 4 whole green onions, sliced into 1” pieces; Kosher salt, to taste; Ground black pepper, to taste; Sesame seeds, to taste, for garnish; Boston Bibb lettuce leaves; Steamed white rice or sautéed cauliflower rice (optional, for serving)

Introduction

These Asian Style Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps are a flavorful and fresh meal that’s perfect for a quick dinner or a light lunch. Packed with savory, sweet, and tangy notes, they offer a delicious way to enjoy ground beef with crisp lettuce and vibrant veggies.

The image shows three fresh, bright green lettuce cups filled with a mixture of cooked ground meat, finely chopped orange and red bell peppers, and thin carrot strips, all topped with white and black sesame seeds. The lettuce leaves are crisp and slightly curled at the edges, serving as natural bowls that cradle the savory filling. The dish is placed on a white plate, which sits on a white marbled surface. To the right of the plate, there is a small white bowl filled with sesame seeds. The colors of the vibrant vegetables contrast well with the rich brown meat, creating an appetizing and fresh look. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

¼ cup maple syrup (brown sugar, or coconut sugar)
¼ cup coconut aminos (tamari, or soy sauce)
2 tsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
¼ – ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
2 tsp arrowroot powder (or cornstarch)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 lb ground beef
2 cloves garlic (minced)
2 tsp grated fresh ginger
1 medium red bell pepper (finely diced)
½ cup shredded carrots
4 whole green onions (sliced into 1” pieces)
Kosher salt (to taste)
Ground pepper (to taste)
Sesame seeds (to taste, for garnish)
Boston Bibb lettuce
Steamed white rice or sautéed cauliflower rice (optional, for serving)

Instructions

Step 1: Make the sauce by combining the maple syrup, coconut aminos, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, and red pepper flakes (if using) in a measuring cup. Whisk until smooth. Add the arrowroot powder and whisk again until fully incorporated.
Step 2: Heat the olive oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the ground beef and cook, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon to break it up, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
Step 3: Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the skillet. Cook, stirring continuously, until fragrant, about 1 to 2 minutes.
Step 4: Stir in the diced red bell pepper and shredded carrots. Cook until the vegetables are just tender, about 3 to 4 minutes.
Step 5: Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and vegetables. Stir well and let it simmer until the sauce thickens slightly, about 2 to 3 minutes. Taste and season with kosher salt and ground pepper as needed.
Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in the sliced green onions.
Step 7: Spoon the beef mixture into Boston Bibb lettuce leaves. Garnish with sesame seeds and serve with steamed white rice or sautéed cauliflower rice, if desired.

Tips & Variations

For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with cooked lentils or finely chopped mushrooms.
Adjust red pepper flakes to control the heat level according to your preference.
Use butter lettuce or romaine leaves if Boston Bibb lettuce is unavailable.
Add chopped water chestnuts or diced cucumbers for extra crunch.
To make it gluten-free, ensure your soy sauce substitute is gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos.

Storage

Store any leftover filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. Keep lettuce separate until ready to serve to prevent wilting. Prepared wraps are best enjoyed fresh.

How to Serve

The image shows four lettuce wraps on a white plate placed on a white marbled surface. Each wrap has three layers: the base layer is large, bright green leaves of lettuce with a soft and slightly crinkled texture; on top is a thick layer of cooked ground meat mixed with small orange carrot strips and diced red bell pepper pieces, all coated in a shiny sauce; the top layer is sprinkled with white and black sesame seeds, adding specks of contrast. The wraps look fresh and colorful, arranged closely together. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the filling ahead of time?

Yes, the beef mixture can be made a day in advance and refrigerated. Reheat it before assembling the wraps for the best texture and flavor.

What can I use instead of arrowroot powder?

Cornstarch works well as a thickener if you don’t have arrowroot powder. Use the same amount to achieve a similar sauce consistency.

Asian Style Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 112 reviews

These Asian Style Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps offer a flavorful and healthy twist on a classic appetizer. Ground beef is cooked with garlic, ginger, bell pepper, and shredded carrots, then simmered in a savory and slightly sweet sauce made from maple syrup, coconut aminos, rice vinegar, and toasted sesame oil. Served in crisp Boston Bibb lettuce leaves and garnished with sesame seeds, these wraps are perfect for a light lunch or easy dinner. Optional steamed white or cauliflower rice can be added to make the meal more filling.

Author: Tara
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 8 wraps without rice, 12 wraps with rice 1x
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Asian
Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

Scale

Sauce

¼ cup maple syrup (or brown sugar, or coconut sugar)
¼ cup coconut aminos (or tamari, or soy sauce)
2 tsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
¼ – ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
2 tsp arrowroot powder (or cornstarch)

Main

1 tbsp olive oil
1 lb ground beef
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp grated fresh ginger
1 medium red bell pepper, finely diced
½ cup shredded carrots
4 whole green onions, sliced into 1” pieces
Kosher salt, to taste
Ground black pepper, to taste
Sesame seeds, to taste, for garnish
Boston Bibb lettuce leaves
Steamed white rice or sautéed cauliflower rice (optional, for serving)

Instructions

Make the sauce: Combine the maple syrup, coconut aminos, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, and red pepper flakes (if using) in a measuring cup. Whisk until fully combined. Add the arrowroot powder and whisk again until smooth and well incorporated.
Cook the ground beef: Heat olive oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the ground beef and cook, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon to break it up, until no longer pink, approximately 5 minutes.
Add aromatics: Stir in minced garlic and grated fresh ginger. Cook while stirring continuously until very fragrant, about 1 to 2 minutes.
Cook vegetables: Add the finely diced red bell pepper and shredded carrots to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender but still slightly crisp, about 3 to 4 minutes.
Simmer with sauce: Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and vegetable mixture. Stir well to combine. Allow to simmer until the sauce thickens slightly, about 2 to 3 minutes. Taste and season with kosher salt and ground black pepper as needed.
Add green onions: Stir in the sliced green onions until evenly distributed throughout the filling.
Assemble and serve: Spoon the warm beef mixture into Boston Bibb lettuce leaves. Optionally add steamed white rice or sautéed cauliflower rice to the wraps for a heartier meal. Garnish each wrap with sesame seeds. This recipe makes approximately 8 lettuce wraps without rice, or 12 wraps with rice.

Notes

Maple syrup can be substituted with brown sugar or coconut sugar to adjust sweetness preference.
Coconut aminos provide a soy-free alternative to tamari or soy sauce, but any soy-based sauce can be used.
Arrowroot powder is a gluten-free thickener; cornstarch is an acceptable alternative if preferred.
Adjust red pepper flakes to control the level of heat according to your taste.
Boston Bibb lettuce is preferred for its tender and sturdy leaves, but other butter or iceberg lettuce varieties can be used.
For a lower-carb option, use cauliflower rice instead of steamed white rice or omit rice altogether.
Ground turkey or chicken can be used instead of ground beef for a leaner protein option.

Keywords: Asian lettuce wraps, ground beef lettuce wraps, low carb dinner, easy dinner recipe, healthy wraps, gluten free, quick beef recipe