Beef Lettuce Wraps Chopped Peanuts (Printable)
Juicy, Asian-inspired ground beef in crisp lettuce leaves, finished with crunchy peanuts. A light, flavorful meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ For the Beef Filling
01 - 1 pound lean ground beef
02 - 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
05 - 1 small onion, finely diced
06 - 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
07 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
08 - 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
09 - 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional)
10 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil
11 - 1 teaspoon brown sugar
12 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
13 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
→ For Serving
14 - 1 head butter lettuce or iceberg lettuce, leaves separated and washed
15 - 1/2 cup roasted peanuts, roughly chopped
16 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
17 - Lime wedges (optional)
# How To Make It:
01 - Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic, grated ginger, and diced onion. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
02 - Add 1 pound of ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and thoroughly cooked, approximately 5 to 6 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
03 - Stir in the diced red bell pepper, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of hoisin sauce, 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce (if desired), 1 teaspoon of sesame oil, 1 teaspoon of brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for an additional 3 to 4 minutes, until the bell peppers soften and the beef is well coated with the sauce.
04 - Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the thinly sliced green onions.
05 - To assemble, spoon the beef mixture into individual lettuce leaves. Top with roughly chopped roasted peanuts and chopped fresh cilantro leaves. Serve immediately with lime wedges if desired.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- This recipe is ridiculously quick to throw together, perfect for those evenings when you want something flavorful without a fuss.
- It's a fantastic way to sneak in some fresh veggies, and it feels light yet utterly satisfying.
02 -
- If you're catering to gluten–free guests, always opt for tamari instead of soy sauce and double–check your hoisin and oyster sauces.
- Don't feel tied to beef; ground chicken or turkey make equally delicious and lighter alternatives, adapting beautifully to the same flavors.
- For an extra layer of texture, consider tossing in some shredded carrots or water chestnuts with the bell peppers.
03 -
- Choose butter lettuce for a softer, more pliable wrap, or go for iceberg if you prefer maximum crispness and a bigger crunch.
- Toast your chopped peanuts lightly in a dry skillet for a few minutes before adding them; it really amplifies their nutty flavor.