Beef Lettuce Wraps Hoisin (Print Version)

Savory beef cooked with hoisin and fresh veggies served in crisp lettuce leaves, perfect for light dining.

# What You'll Need:

→ Beef Mixture

01 - 1 lb lean ground beef
02 - 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
03 - 1 small onion, finely diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated
06 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
07 - 1 cup water chestnuts, diced (optional)
08 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced

→ Sauce

09 - 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
10 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
11 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
12 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil
13 - 1 teaspoon sriracha or chili paste (optional)

→ To Serve

14 - 12–16 large butter lettuce leaves
15 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
16 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds (optional)
17 - Lime wedges

# How to Cook:

01 - Whisk hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and sriracha together in a small bowl; set aside.
02 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and cook for 2 minutes until softened.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add ground beef to skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook 5–6 minutes until browned and fully cooked.
05 - Add diced red bell pepper and water chestnuts; sauté for 2 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp.
06 - Pour prepared sauce over beef and vegetables. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring to coat evenly.
07 - Remove from heat and stir in sliced green onions. Spoon mixture into lettuce leaves, garnish with cilantro, sesame seeds, and a squeeze of lime before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one skillet, so cleanup is fast and you can focus on the flavors instead of the mess.
  • The hoisin sauce brings a sweet-savory punch that makes even picky eaters ask for seconds.
  • Wrapping your own lettuce cups feels interactive and fun, perfect for casual dinners or appetizers with friends.
  • You can swap the protein or add more vegetables without losing any of the dish's charm.
02 -
  • Don't skip draining excess fat after browning the beef, or the sauce will turn greasy and pool at the bottom of your wraps.
  • Let the garlic and ginger cook just until fragrant but not browned, or they'll add a harsh, burnt flavor to the whole dish.
  • Use large, intact lettuce leaves and rinse them gently so they stay crisp and pliable without tearing when you fold them.
03 -
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for 1 minute before sprinkling them on top, it deepens their flavor and makes them taste almost buttery.
  • If your lettuce leaves are small or torn, overlap two to create a sturdier base that won't fall apart mid-bite.
  • Taste the sauce before adding it to the skillet and adjust the sweetness or heat, hoisin brands vary widely in intensity.

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