Name: Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Korean-Inspired
Ingredients: ¼ cup soy sauce; 2 tablespoons rice vinegar; 1 tablespoon sesame oil; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 teaspoons light brown sugar; ⅛ teaspoon fish sauce; 1 teaspoon gochujang (Korean chili paste); 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger; 1.5 lbs ground beef; 1 teaspoon cornstarch; 2 teaspoons sesame seeds; 1 green onion, chopped; 1 red bell pepper, diced; 2 large carrots, peeled and sliced into matchsticks; 1 tablespoon rice vinegar; ¼ teaspoon sea salt; 2 teaspoons sesame oil; 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice; ½ cup diced green onions; ⅓ cup chopped fresh cilantro; 6–8 large lettuce leaves (Boston or Bibb); 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for garnish)

Description

These Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps are a flavorful fusion of savory, spicy ground beef, marinated vegetables, and crisp lettuce. Easy to prepare and packed with bold Korean-inspired flavors, they make the perfect healthy appetizer or light main course. Great for quick dinners, low-carb meals, or entertaining guests.

Ingredients

For the Beef:

¼ cup soy sauce

2 tablespoons rice vinegar

1 tablespoon sesame oil

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoons light brown sugar

⅛ teaspoon fish sauce

1 teaspoon gochujang (Korean chili paste)

1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger

1.5 lbs ground beef

1 teaspoon cornstarch

2 teaspoons sesame seeds

1 green onion, chopped

For the Vegetables:

1 red bell pepper, diced

2 large carrots, peeled and sliced into matchsticks

1 tablespoon rice vinegar

¼ teaspoon sea salt

2 teaspoons sesame oil

2 teaspoons fresh lime juice

½ cup diced green onions

⅓ cup chopped fresh cilantro

For Serving:

6–8 large lettuce leaves (Boston or Bibb)

1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for garnish)

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Instructions

Prepare the Vegetables:
In a bowl, mix diced bell pepper and carrot matchsticks with rice vinegar, sesame oil, lime juice, and sea salt. Toss and refrigerate to marinate.
Make the Sauce:
Whisk soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, brown sugar, fish sauce, gochujang, and grated ginger in a bowl.
Cook the Beef:
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until nearly browned, about 4–6 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
Add the Sauce:
Pour in the sauce and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 3–4 minutes.
Thicken the Sauce:
Move beef to one side. Sprinkle in cornstarch on the other side and whisk until thickened. Mix beef into sauce and stir in sesame seeds and green onions.
Assemble the Wraps:
Spoon beef mixture onto each lettuce leaf. Top with marinated vegetables, more green onions, and cilantro. Garnish with sesame seeds.
Serve:
Serve immediately and enjoy as handheld wraps.

Notes

Use tamari instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free version.
Swap ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or tofu for variation.
Adjust the amount of gochujang to customize heat level.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Appetizer, Snack
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Korean-Inspired