Easy Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps (30 Minute Meal)

Name: Asian Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; ½ cup green onion; 1 head butter lettuce (Bibb lettuce, or romaine hearts); 2 cloves garlic (minced); 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger (or ginger paste); 1 tablespoon sesame oil; ⅓ cup coconut aminos (or low-sodium soy sauce); 1½ teaspoons chili sauce (optional); ¼ teaspoon sea salt (or more/less to taste); ⅛ teaspoon black pepper (or more/less to taste)

These ground beef lettuce wraps are light and savory, but the best part is that this recipe doesn't require you to be in the kitchen for hours. This is the recipe I make when I have ground beef thawing in the fridge for a delicious Asian dinner!

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Three Asian ground beef lettuce wraps filled with ground meat mixture and sprinkled with sesame seeds are arranged on a white plate.

Asian Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps Recipe

Living in Arizona, my kids are outside until the last possible moment after school, and that's not time I want to spend hanging out in the kitchen by myself. Which is why recipes like Asian lettuce wraps and turkey lettuce wraps get made so often.

On the nights dinner seems impossible to make, this is what I gravitate to. It's rare that my kids won't devour anything made with ground beef, and these lettuce wraps have a flavorful crisp crunch and a bit of a garlicky kick. They're filling, but not too heavy, making them perfect to enjoy between bouts of playing.

Why You'll Love this Recipe

There are so many reasons this is one of my favorite recipes, and I know you're going to love it too!

This lettuce wraps recipe comes together in just 30 minutes, so it's simple to whip before a busy sports night or just when we don't want to stay inside after school. It's the kind of meal (or appetizer) that doesn't leave you feeling sluggish afterwards, so you can still enjoy your night.

Plus, like a lot of other easy ground beef dinners, this one can be prepped in advance by cooking the beef ahead of time. Then, you just assemble the Asian wraps when you're ready to eat.

Ingredients

Most of the ingredients you need for these beef lettuce wraps you'll probably already have on hand. Things like garlic, ginger, and salt and pepper.

The ground beef can be substituted with any other ground meat that you like. Whenever possible though, use a lean blend of meat- I recommend 85/15 or 90/10. Greasy ground beef isn't overly delicious on top of lettuce.

Coconut aminos keeps these lettuce wraps gluten-friendly. If that's not what you need, a regular soy sauce will work just as well.

The best flavor comes from chili sauce. My kids don't love anything too spicy, so I use only a little bit. However, you can adjust the amount of the sauce if you want more flavor.

Three lettuce wraps filled with cooked ground beef, topped with sesame seeds and chopped green onions, arranged on a white plate.

How to Make Asian Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps

See the recipe card for the full instructions! ⬇️

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Ingredients for a recipe including ground beef, soy sauce with garlic, seasonings, a ginger root, lettuce leaves, and small bowls of sauces on a white surface.

Ground beef cooking in a stainless steel saucepan, with a bowl of sauce above and a plate of green lettuce leaves to the side on a white surface.

Before you begin, prep the garlic and ginger by peeling them both. Then, grate the ginger and mince the garlic. The final prep step is to combine the sauce ingredients in a small bowl.

In a large skillet begin to brown the beef. As it cooks, break it apart into smaller pieces. Once no more pink remains, drain the grease and place the pan back on the stove.

Cooked ground beef in a saucepan with a wooden spatula, fresh lettuce leaves on a green plate, and a piece of ginger and empty bowl nearby.

Three lettuce wraps filled with ground beef, topped with sesame seeds and sauce, are arranged on a plate. Nearby, small bowls contain chopped herbs and sesame seeds.

Pour the sauce over the beef and give it a good stir. Then, let it simmer for a few minutes so that the flavors can mix. While that simmers, chop and add the green onions in.

While the ground beef is simmering, wash and dry the lettuce and separate the leaves into "boats". Once the beef is cooked, spoon portions into the lettuce wraps, sprinkle on some sesame seeds, and enjoy.

Madison's Tips for Success:

I've tested this lettuce wraps recipe and have successfully made it many times. Use these tips to ensure that it turns out perfectly for you, too!

Be sure to wash and dry the lettuce leaves well so they are clean and crisp when you fill them.
Make sure not to overfill the lettuce leaves or they'll become too heavy and tear when picked up.
Simmer the ground beef with the sauce until only a little bit of sauce remains. You want to keep the beef mixture juicy but don't want it dripping too much as you enjoy them.

Lettuce Wraps Recipe FAQs

What kind of lettuce is best for wraps?

Any lettuce can work to make ground beef wraps. However, butter lettuce is our favorite because the leaves are larger and rounded; it has a crisp crunch and holds up well to the filling.

How do I cut the lettuce for lettuce wraps?

You don't need to cut the lettuce for the wraps as much as tear off the leaves. You want to break it as close to the head as you can so that your pieces are as large and crisp as possible. Then, wash the lettuce leaves and pat them dry before you use them.

Storing and Reheating

When everything has cooled, you want to store the ground beef mixture and the lettuce separately. Store the ground beef in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days and the lettuce pieces in an airtight container with paper towels to keep it crisp!

To meal prep and freeze the meal, allow the meat to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. It should keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge before you reheat it on the stove with a splash of water.

Three lettuce leaves topped with ground meat, chopped green onions, and sesame seeds are arranged on a clear plate, with a small bowl of sesame seeds nearby.

Serving Ideas

There are so many ways to enjoy these Asian lettuce wraps! Serve them with tasty side dishes like cilantro lime rice or creamy coleslaw.

Or, make them into an appetizer spread along with tomato bruschetta or whipped feta dip.

Did you make this recipe?

If you make and love this recipe, please leave a review below!

It means so much to me when you try my recipes, and I'd love to know how it goes. Please leave comments and questions below!

Other Easy Ground Beef Dinner Ideas

Ground beef is a lifesaver in my house. It's an easy and affordable way to get dinner on the table!

We make easy taco meat to have on hand and then whip up meals like this easy beef taco soup recipe or sloppy Joe sliders. They're quick to make, and our entire family loves them.