Healthy, satisfying, and bursting with flavor — these Asian Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps are everything you want in a quick, nutritious dinner. Juicy, seasoned beef meets crisp lettuce and a punchy sesame-ginger sauce for a meal that’s light yet deeply satisfying. Each bite delivers that perfect balance of sweet, savory, and a touch of spice — all wrapped in fresh, crunchy lettuce leaves.
If you’re craving a healthier takeout-style dinner without the guilt, this is it. These wraps come together in under 30 minutes, are naturally gluten-free, and can be customized for nearly any diet — keto, paleo, or low-carb included.
Why You’ll Love These Asian Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps
Forget greasy takeout — this recipe gives you all those delicious umami flavors using clean, whole-food ingredients. The sesame-garlic sauce clings beautifully to the tender beef, while shredded carrots and peppers add color, crunch, and extra nutrition. Wrapped up in cool lettuce leaves, each bite is fresh, bold, and perfectly balanced.
And yes, while “egg roll in a bowl” might have had its moment, nothing beats food you can wrap in more food. There’s just something deeply satisfying about holding your dinner in your hands — no fork required!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe is made with simple, real ingredients — nothing fancy, just fresh and flavorful.
🥢 For the Sauce:
- Sweetener: Maple syrup, brown sugar, or coconut sugar
- Soy Sauce: Use tamari for gluten-free or coconut aminos for soy-free
- Toasted Sesame Oil: Adds deep, nutty flavor
- Rice Vinegar: A little acidity balances the sweetness
- Red Pepper Flakes (optional): For a mild kick
- Thickener: Cornstarch or arrowroot powder to give the sauce a silky texture
🍖 For the Filling:
- Ground Beef: Lean or extra-lean; you can substitute ground chicken, pork, or turkey
- Garlic and Ginger: Freshly minced or grated for maximum flavor
- Bell Pepper: Adds color and sweetness
- Shredded Carrots: For a touch of crunch
- Green Onions: Fresh and aromatic
- Boston Bibb, Romaine, or Iceberg Lettuce: For crisp “cups”
- Sesame Seeds: For garnish and extra crunch
- Cooked Rice or Cauliflower Rice: Optional, for a more filling meal
How to Make Asian Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps
This recipe is as easy as it is flavorful. You’ll have dinner on the table in 25 minutes flat!
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, vinegar, sweetener, and red pepper flakes. Stir in the thickener until smooth.
- Cook the Beef: Heat a skillet with a little oil. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces.
- Add Aromatics: Stir in the garlic and ginger and cook until fragrant — about a minute.
- Add Veggies: Toss in the bell pepper and shredded carrots, sautéing until just tender.
- Sauce It Up: Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and stir well. Let it simmer until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the meat.
- Finish: Stir in green onions, taste, and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve: Spoon the mixture into crisp lettuce leaves, sprinkle with sesame seeds, and enjoy immediately!
Chef’s Tips
- Lettuce Choices: Boston Bibb lettuce works beautifully, but iceberg or romaine hearts are budget-friendly alternatives.
- Make Ahead: The sauce can be mixed up to 24 hours in advance and stored in the fridge.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Store the filling separately from the lettuce. Reheat the meat and assemble just before serving.
- Paleo or Low-Carb Versions: Use coconut aminos and skip the thickener for a lighter sauce.
- Want More Veggies? Try adding shredded cabbage, chopped mushrooms, or zucchini for extra bulk and texture.
Flavor-Packed Asian Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps
- Total Time: 25 min
Description
When the craving hits for something fresh, flavorful, and fast, these Asian Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps deliver big. Juicy beef and crisp veggies are coated in a sesame-ginger garlic sauce that’s sweet, savory, and a little spicy. Wrap it all up in crunchy lettuce leaves for a healthy dinner or quick meal prep option that tastes better than takeout!
Ingredients
For the Sauce:
¼ cup maple syrup, brown sugar, or coconut sugar
¼ cup soy sauce, tamari (for gluten-free), or coconut aminos (for soy-free)
2 tsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
¼–½ tsp red pepper flakes, optional
2 tsp arrowroot powder or cornstarch
For the Filling:
1 tbsp olive oil
1 lb ground beef (or ground chicken, pork, or turkey)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp fresh ginger, grated
1 medium red bell pepper, finely diced
½ cup shredded carrots
4 green onions, sliced into 1-inch pieces
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Sesame seeds, for garnish
Boston Bibb, Romaine, or Iceberg lettuce leaves, for serving
Cooked white rice or cauliflower rice, optional
Instructions
-
Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, vinegar, sweetener, and red pepper flakes. Add arrowroot powder and whisk until smooth.
-
Cook the Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks (about 5 minutes).
-
Add Garlic & Ginger: Stir in garlic and ginger; cook 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
-
Add Veggies: Add diced bell pepper and shredded carrots. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until tender.
-
Add Sauce: Pour sauce into the pan, stirring well. Simmer 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened and glossy.
-
Finish: Stir in sliced green onions and season to taste with salt and pepper.
-
Serve: Spoon filling into lettuce leaves, sprinkle with sesame seeds, and serve as-is or with rice or cauliflower rice.
Notes
- Make It Ahead: The sauce can be prepared 1 day in advance and refrigerated in a sealed container.
- Low-Carb Option: Use coconut aminos and skip the cornstarch for a thinner, lighter sauce.
- Meal Prep Tip: Store the filling separately from the lettuce. Reheat the beef filling before serving.
- Add More Veggies: Try cabbage, mushrooms, or zucchini for extra nutrients and crunch.
- Customize Your Protein: Ground chicken, pork, or turkey all work great!
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Cuisine: Asian
