Thai Lettuce Wraps

Light, fresh, and bursting with flavor, Thai Lettuce Wraps are a perfect balance of sweet, savory, spicy, and tangy. This dish is quick to prepare and makes an excellent appetizer, snack, or light meal. Crisp lettuce leaves are filled with a savory mixture of ground meat, aromatic herbs, and a deliciously umami sauce, then topped with crunchy peanuts and a squeeze of lime for the ultimate bite. These wraps are as fun to eat as they are to make, and they’re perfect for entertaining or as a healthy dinner option.

Ingredients:

For the filling:

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 pound ground chicken, turkey, or pork
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
• 1 carrot, shredded
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 1 teaspoon sriracha or chili paste (optional, for heat)
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• Juice of 1 lime

For serving:

• 1 head of butter lettuce, iceberg lettuce, or romaine (leaves separated and washed)
• ¼ cup chopped peanuts
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• Fresh cilantro and mint leaves
• Lime wedges

Instructions:

1. Cook the Filling: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground meat and cook until browned, breaking it up into crumbles with a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.
2. Add Aromatics and Vegetables: Stir in the garlic, onion, bell pepper, and carrot. Cook for another 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
3. Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, fish sauce, hoisin sauce, sriracha, brown sugar, ginger, and lime juice. Pour the sauce into the skillet and stir to coat the meat and vegetables. Cook for 2-3 more minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Remove from heat.
4. Prepare the Lettuce Cups: Arrange the lettuce leaves on a large serving plate. Spoon the filling into each lettuce leaf.
5. Garnish and Serve: Top the wraps with chopped peanuts, green onions, and fresh herbs. Serve with lime wedges on the side for an extra burst of freshness.

These Thai Lettuce Wraps are a deliciously vibrant dish that’s easy to customize to your taste preferences—perfect for a quick, flavorful meal!