Description
Sizzling Chinese lettuce wraps with peanut sauce bring a delightful explosion of Asian-inspired flavors to your dinner table. Crisp lettuce leaves cradle savory seasoned meat, while creamy peanut sauce adds perfect zesty complexity that will delight you with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein Ingredients:
- 1 lb (450g) ground chicken, turkey, pork, or tofu
Vegetable Ingredients:
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup mushrooms, finely diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce (optional, for added sweetness)
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- ½ teaspoon chili flakes (optional for heat)
Peanut Sauce Ingredients:
- ¼ cup (60g) natural peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 12 tablespoons warm water (to thin the sauce)
- ½ teaspoon sriracha (optional, for heat)
Garnish and Wrap Ingredients:
- 1 head of butter lettuce, iceberg, or romaine (leaves separated)
- Chopped peanuts (for garnish)
- Sliced green onions
- Fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Warm a spacious skillet with sesame oil over medium-high temperature, creating a fragrant cooking environment.
- Introduce finely chopped onion, minced garlic, and grated ginger into the hot pan, sautéing until the aromatics release their enticing fragrance and become translucent.
- Incorporate ground protein (meat or tofu) into the skillet, breaking it into small crumbles and cooking thoroughly until the surface achieves a rich, golden-brown coloration.
- Fold in a medley of diced carrots, sliced mushrooms, and vibrant bell peppers, complementing the protein with soy sauce, sweet hoisin sauce, tangy rice vinegar, and a sprinkle of fiery chili flakes.
- Allow the vegetable mixture to simmer and meld together, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables reach a tender yet crisp consistency and the flavors harmonize.
- Remove the skillet from heat and let the filling cool slightly to prevent scorching delicate lettuce leaves.
- Serve the aromatic mixture alongside crisp lettuce leaves, inviting diners to create their own personalized wraps.
- Drizzle with creamy peanut sauce just before serving, adding a luxurious, nutty dimension to the dish.
Notes
- Customize protein choices by swapping ground meat with plant-based alternatives like tempeh or jackfruit for a vegetarian version.
- Toast sesame seeds or chopped peanuts before garnishing to enhance the nutty flavor and add extra crunch to the lettuce wraps.
- Select crisp, sturdy lettuce leaves like butter lettuce or iceberg for easy wrapping and preventing sauce leakage during eating.
- Prepare extra peanut sauce and store separately in the refrigerator for quick meal prep or as a versatile dipping sauce for other dishes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg