This easy Korean ground beef lettuce wraps are so delicious, healthy, and flavorful. Made in 15 minutes with only 5 ingredients for the filling. Skip takeout and try this Bulgogi and PF Chang's Inspired recipe.
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Asian Inspired Beef Lettuce Wrap
This Asian American recipe is an inspired copycat of PF Chang's lettuce wraps and Bulgogi. Bulgogi is Korean style “fire meat” and PF Chang’s chicken lettuce wraps has a flavorful filling wrapped in lettuce and crispy noodles. I used two shortcuts ground beef and hoisin sauce. Made it a bit healthier with crispy carrots and cucumber.
Healthy Dietary Substitutions and Kid Friendly
Swapping or adding ingredients can be easily done to fit your dietary preferences, whether you are gluten-free or low carb. Tamari, coconut, or Braggs aminos for the hoisin sauce or add riced cauliflower instead of white rice to bulk up the wraps. Kids don’t like sliced onions? Leave it out or use onion powder so they don’t see it.
Ingredients
Ground Beef - I used 85/15 grass-fed for this recipe.
Hoisin Sauce - Adds bold flavor and sweetness.
Garlic - Fresh is best, but prepared will save you time.
Onion- Any variety would work, red, yellow, sweet, or white.
Ginger - Fresh is best, but prepared will save you time.
Lettuce - Butter, Bib, Boston or Romaine would work perfectly.
Toppings- I went with shredded carrots, sliced cucumber, and green onion.
Step by Step Instructions
- Add your ground beef to a very hot skillet, with very little oil if you prefer.
2. After breaking apart the ground beef, allow the beef to get a good brown sear on one side. This allows the beef to deepen in flavor.
3. Add your sliced onion, garlic, and ginger. Saute the aromatics for a few minutes or to your preferred texture.
4. Add the hoisin sauce and saute for about 5 minutes or until the ground beef is fully cooked. Place into your serving dish.
5. Grab your lettuce and topping to assemble the lettuce wraps. Starting with the flavorful ground beef.
6. Add shredded carrots, sliced cucumber, and green onions. Enjoy.
FAQ & Tips
What is hoision sauce?
A thick flavorful Cantonse sauce made with fermented soybeans, salt, garlic, spices, and sugar.
What can I subsitute fo hoision sauce?
For this recipe I would use soy sauce or coconut aminos, sugar, sesame oil, and sprinkle of five spice powder.
What kind of lettuce to wrap the Korean beef?
Lettuce varieties that can easily hold the filling include Boston, Bib, Butter, whole Romaine, whole ice burge, or even cabbage leaves.
What toppings or fillings to put on the beef lettuce wrap?
Flavorful toppings include sweet peppers, shredded carrots, sliced onions, cucumbers, jalapenos or hot sauce, sesame seeds, kimchi, sliced radishes, steamed rice, riced cauiflower, fried noodles or wonton strips.
How to store leftover Korean beef?
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to four days. It is also perfect for meal prep and can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Easy Korean Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps
Equipment
- Large Saute Pan or Skillet
- Heat Proof Meat Smasher or Spatula
- Slotted Spoon
- Measuring Cup
- Knife
- Cutting Board
- Storage Container with Lid
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. Ground Beef
- ½ cup Hoisin Sauce
- 1 medium Onion, sliced or chopped
- 1 tbsp. Garlic, chopped
- 1 tsp. Ginger, chopped
- oil, and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- With the cutting board and knife, prep the onion, garlic, and ginger.
- In a very hot skillet on add a touch of oil and the ground beef.
- You want to brown the beef. Try to spread the beef evenly in the pan, without touching it for a few minutes. This gives the beef time to brown and intensifies its flavor.
- Using your heatproof meat smasher break up the ground beef.
- When you see a nice brown color add the onion, garlic, ginger, and pepper to taste.
- Saute for a few minutes, then add the hoisin sauce.
- Give it a good mix a few times with your slotted spoon, until ground beef is fully cooked.
- Remove this amazing beef from your skillet to your meal prep container or serving dish.
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