Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps 

These Asian-Style Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps are a healthy and flavorful dish featuring tender seasoned beef, fresh vegetables, and a savory sesame-ginger garlic sauce, all wrapped in crisp lettuce cups. They're perfect for a low-carb meal or as a satisfying appetizer. Customizable to fit various dietary preferences, this dish is both delicious and nutritious.

🧄 Ingredients

For the Sauce:

• ¼ cup maple syrup, brown sugar, or coconut sugar

• ¼ cup coconut aminos, tamari, or soy sauce

• 2 teaspoons rice vinegar

• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

• ¼ – ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

• 2 teaspoons arrowroot powder or cornstarch

For the Filling:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 lb ground beef (or ground chicken, turkey, pork, or bison)

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger

• 1 medium red bell pepper, finely diced

• ½ cup shredded carrots

• 4 whole green onions, sliced into 1-inch pieces

• Kosher salt and ground pepper, to taste

• Sesame seeds, for garnish

• Boston Bibb lettuce leaves (or romaine or iceberg lettuce)

• Steamed white rice or sautéed cauliflower rice (optional, for serving)

🔪 Directions

1. Prepare the Sauce: In a measuring cup, whisk together the maple syrup, coconut aminos, rice vinegar, sesame oil, red pepper flakes (if using), and arrowroot powder until well combined. Set aside.

2. Cook the Beef: Heat olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 5 minutes.

3. Add Aromatics: Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the skillet. Cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1–2 minutes.

4. Incorporate Vegetables: Add the diced red bell pepper and shredded carrots to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender, about 3–4 minutes.

5. Add Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and vegetable mixture. Stir to combine and simmer for 2–3 minutes, until the sauce slightly thickens. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

6. Finish: Stir in the sliced green onions and remove from heat.

7. Serve: Spoon the beef mixture into lettuce leaves and garnish with sesame seeds. Serve immediately, with steamed white rice or sautéed cauliflower rice if desired.

📊 Nutritional Estimate (per serving)

• Calories: Approximately 378 kcal

• Total Fat: 20 g

• Saturated Fat: 6 g

• Cholesterol: 71 mg

• Sodium: 358 mg

• Total Carbohydrates: 23 g

• Dietary Fiber: 3 g

• Sugars: 17 g

• Protein: 26 g