Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps
A savory and aromatic blend of seasoned ground beef, crisp vegetables, and a sweet-spicy sauce, all nestled into tender lettuce leaves. These wraps offer a satisfying, low-carb option that’s quick enough for weeknights but flavorful enough for guests.
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Ingredients
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
- 1 red bell pepper finely diced
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 8 oz can water chestnuts, drained and coarsely chopped
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- Butter lettuce or bibb lettuce leaves for serving
- Sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Begin by preparing the sauce: In a measuring cup or small mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes. Whisk until well-blended, then add the cornstarch and whisk again until smooth. Set aside.
- In a large skillet or wok, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet and season with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spatula, until no longer pink and fully browned.
- Introduce the diced bell pepper and shredded carrots to the skillet. Stir frequently and cook until they begin to soften, approximately 3 to 4 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger, allowing them to cook for about 1 minute until aromatic.
- Fold in the chopped water chestnuts, then pour the prepared sauce over the mixture. Stir continuously and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook until the sauce thickens, roughly 2 minutes.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, then stir in the chopped green onions just before removing from heat.
- Spoon the warm filling into individual lettuce leaves. Garnish with sesame seeds and serve immediately.