Beef Lettuce Wraps Peanuts (Print Version)

Juicy spiced beef paired with crisp lettuce and crunchy peanuts for a fresh, vibrant dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Beef Mixture

01 - 1 lb lean ground beef
02 - 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1-inch piece fresh ginger, minced
05 - 2 green onions, finely sliced
06 - 1 small red bell pepper, diced
07 - 1 small carrot, julienned
08 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
09 - 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
10 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
11 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil
12 - 1 teaspoon brown sugar
13 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

→ Assembly & Toppings

14 - 1 head butter lettuce or iceberg lettuce, leaves separated and rinsed
15 - 1/2 cup roasted unsalted peanuts, roughly chopped
16 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
17 - 1 lime, cut into wedges

# Directions:

01 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking up with a spatula, until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes.
02 - Stir in garlic, ginger, and green onions. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add diced red bell pepper and julienned carrot. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until slightly softened.
04 - Add soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, brown sugar, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Stir well and cook 2 to 3 minutes to meld flavors and slightly thicken the sauce.
05 - Remove the skillet from heat.
06 - Spoon beef mixture into individual lettuce leaves. Top with chopped peanuts and fresh cilantro. Serve with lime wedges for squeezing.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 35 minutes, making it perfect for weeknight dinners when you want something that tastes like you spent hours cooking.
  • The contrast of warm, fragrant beef against cold, crisp lettuce creates this satisfying textural play that never gets old.
  • Everyone assembles their own wraps, so guests feel like they're part of the cooking experience, not just eating what you made.
02 -
  • Don't overcrowd each lettuce leaf when filling, or it becomes messy to eat and the leaf tears—a heaping spoonful is the perfect amount, and guests will go back for seconds anyway.
  • Keep your lettuce leaves cold until the very moment of assembly; an ice bath for 10 minutes before serving makes a huge difference in how crisp they stay against the warm beef.
  • Taste the sauce before adding it to the beef—if it's too salty, a splash of water or extra rice vinegar can balance it, but once it's mixed in, you can't undo it.
03 -
  • Mince your garlic and ginger as fine as you can manage—chunky pieces become unpleasant surprises in wraps, and fine pieces distribute their flavor evenly throughout every bite.
  • If your lettuce leaves tear while you're assembling, layer two smaller leaves together; no one will notice, and it saves you from frustration.

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