These Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps are a quick, easy, and tasty weeknight dinner that comes together in just 20 minutes.
This recipe makes four servings for a cost of $1.81 per serving. It costs $7.25 to make the entire recipe.
I love Asian-inspired foods. Some of my favorites besides these lettuce wraps are my Spicy Noodles, my Instant Pot Miso Soup, and this Chicken Chow Mein.
This family-friendly dinner is seasoned beef served in crispy lettuce with fresh veggies. Spice them up with a drizzle of Sriracha if you like a little more spice in your life!
The flavor and texture of these Asian-inspired Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps are the perfect combination. They are great for serving as the main dish, an appetizer, or a meal prep lunch.
You may have ordered something similar at PF Chang’s or another restaurant, so you may be under the misconception that these are difficult to make. That thought is far from the truth! I love making this recipe for Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps at home because they are so EASY!
INGREDIENTS AND COST
Per Serving Cost: $1.81
Recipe Cost: $7.25
- 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil – $0.03
- 1 pound lean ground beef – $3.33
- ½ of a medium yellow onion – $0.31
- 1 Tablespoon tomato sauce – $0.08
- ½ teaspoon chili powder – $0.02
- 1 teaspoon low-sodium soy sauce – $0.01
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder – $0.01
- 1 small head romaine lettuce – $1.48
- ½ teaspoon paprika – $0.01
- 1 medium carrot – $0.14
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin – $0.01
- 4 green onions – $0.20
- ½ cup red cabbage – $1.62
NOTE: The recipe prices are calculated by using grocery store websites. The actual cost of the recipe will vary depending on what ingredients you already have.
INSTRUCTIONS
- First, make the filling by starting with cooking the onion until they’re soft.
- Next, add the ground beef and cook until it is browned.
- Then stir in the spices, tomato sauce, and soy sauce.
- Cook for about three more minutes and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- To finish, assemble the wraps by dividing the beef filling between the lettuce leaves. Top with the carrots, cabbage, and green onions before serving.
RECIPE VARIATIONS
- To make these a litle heathier, you can use ground pork, ground chicken, or grond turkey instead of ground beef.
- Sometimes I use butter lettuce instead of Romaine.
- If you don’t mind spice, you can use sweet chili sauce or Sriracha instead of the tomato sauce.
STORAGE TIPS
SERVE: You can keep these Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps out for about 2 hours before they need to be refrigerated.
STORE: Ready-made wraps should be consumed on the same day, however can be stored in the fridge covered with plastic wrap and separated from each other. On day 2 lettuce may become soggy from the beef and it is hard to reheat them unless you reheat only the filling without the lettuce. Your best option is to store the ground beef filling in the fridge separate from the toppings and lettuce.
FREEZE: You can freeze the filling but not any of the toppings and not the lettuce. Freeze the filling once it’s cooled and place it in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for 2 months.
THAW: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
REHEAT: Place the filling in a microwave-safe container and reheat in 1-minute increments until heated through.
COOK’S TOOLS
- Skillet
- Wooden mixing spoon
- Measuring spoons
- Box grater
- Cutting board
- Chef’s knife
RECIPE FAQs
I like to use Romaine Lettuce for my lettuce wraps because they are sturdy, thick leaves that hold the beef filling well. In addition, you want to avoid small pieces of lettuce that may wilt when you add the warm filling into the leaves.
This Ground Beef Lettuce Wrap recipe can be served as the main dish or appetizer. You can serve these with Coconut Rice and Miso Soup.
MORE MAIN DISHES
- Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
- Spicy Noodles
- Thai Peanut Noodles
- Pineapple Teriyaki Steak Tips
- Bang Bang Shrimp
- Pad See Ew Noodles
- Beef Negimaki
- Thai Basil Beef
- Edamame Stir Fry
- Chicken Chow Mein
Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps
Equipment
- skillet
- wooden mixing spoon
- Measuring spoons
- box grater
- cutting board
- chef's knife
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ½ medium yellow onion finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 Tablespoon tomato sauce plain
- 1 teaspoon low-sodium soy sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
FOR SERVING:
- 1 small head romaine lettuce
- 1 medium carrot grated
- ½ cup red cabbage shredded
- 4 green onions sliced thin
- Sriracha optional
Instructions
MAKE FILLING:
- In a large frying pan over medium heat add the vegetable oil. Once simmering, add the onion and cook until the onion is softened and translucent about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the ground beef and cook until the beef is browned and no longer pink.
- Stir in the spices, tomato sauce, and soy sauce.
- Cook for 3 minutes stirring frequently and then remove the pan from the heat.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper.
ASSEMBLE AND SERVE WRAPS:
- Divide the beef filling between the 8 lettuce leaves and top with carrot, cabbage, and green onion.
- Drizzle with some sriracha (optional).
- Serve and enjoy.
Nutrition
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I love this idea of using lettuce! Great recipe!
These are so clever and much appreciated now that I’m looking for less carby meals! Yum!
Everyone at my house loved this!! It tastes really good, quick and easy to make! Perfect for busy days!
These beef lettuce wraps look and sound amazing. Especially the Asian flavors in them. My family’s going to love them.
Absolutely love ground beef lettuce cups! These were a hit. So crisp and yet so filling.