Lettuce wraps are one of those meals that feel like a treat but check every box - high protein, low carb, and fast enough to make on a weeknight without thinking twice. The Korean-inspired ground beef filling is savory, slightly sweet, and has just enough heat to keep things interesting.
4 Servings
380 Calories
38g Protein
14g Carbs
16g Fat
Ingredients
For the beef:
- 1.5 lbs lean ground beef (90/10)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 3 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp gochujang or sriracha
- 1 tbsp olive oil
For the wraps:
- 1 head butter lettuce, leaves separated
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
- 3 green onions, sliced thin
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- Lime wedges for serving
Optional dipping sauce:
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp rice vinegar
- ½ tsp honey
Directions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook through, breaking apart as it browns. Drain any excess fat.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add garlic and ginger, cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey, and gochujang. Toss to coat and simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly reduced.
- Whisk together dipping sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
- Build your wraps: butter lettuce leaf, a spoonful of beef, shredded carrots, cucumber slices, green onions, and sesame seeds. Squeeze lime over the top and dip as desired.
Meal Prep & Storage
Prepping ahead: Cook the beef filling up to 4 days in advance and store in an airtight container in the fridge. Prep the carrots and cucumber ahead too - both hold up well for 3-4 days stored separately.
Storing components: Keep the beef, vegetables, and lettuce in separate containers. Lettuce wilts fast once it's been dressed or filled, so always assemble fresh.
Reheating: Reheat the beef in a skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes or microwave for 90 seconds covered. Serve over fresh lettuce straight from the fridge - the contrast of warm beef and cold crisp lettuce is actually the best part.
Batch tip: The beef filling works just as well over rice, in a bowl with noodles, or stuffed into a baked potato mid-week. Make a double batch on Sunday and use it multiple ways throughout the week.