Beef Lettuce Wraps Hoisin (Printable)

Ground beef and aromatic vegetables tossed in hoisin, served in crisp lettuce leaves for a vibrant dish.

# What You 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 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
06 - 1 small red bell pepper, finely diced
07 - 1/2 cup chopped water chestnuts
08 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced

→ Sauce

09 - 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
10 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
11 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
12 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil
13 - 1 teaspoon sriracha or chili sauce (optional)
14 - 1 teaspoon brown sugar

→ To Serve

15 - 1 head butter or iceberg lettuce, leaves separated, washed, and dried
16 - 2 tablespoons roasted peanuts, roughly chopped (optional)
17 - Extra sliced green onions or cilantro for garnish (optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Combine hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sriracha if using, and brown sugar in a small bowl. Set aside.
02 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
03 - Add diced onion, minced garlic, and grated ginger to the skillet. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant and onion becomes translucent.
04 - Stir in diced red bell pepper and chopped water chestnuts. Cook an additional 2 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp.
05 - Pour the prepared sauce over the beef mixture, stirring to coat evenly. Cook for 2 more minutes until heated through.
06 - Remove skillet from heat and fold in thinly sliced green onions.
07 - Spoon beef mixture onto individual lettuce leaves. Garnish with chopped peanuts, extra green onions, or cilantro as desired. Serve immediately.

# Helpful Tips:

01 -
  • The whole thing comes together faster than ordering takeout, but tastes like you've been cooking all afternoon.
  • It's naturally lighter than most appetizers—fresh lettuce and vibrant flavors mean you can actually enjoy it without feeling weighed down.
  • Ground beef stretches beautifully with vegetables, so you get something hearty that doesn't break the bank.
02 -
  • Don't skip draining the excess fat from the beef—too much grease overwhelms the delicate hoisin sauce and makes the lettuce soggy.
  • Prep all your vegetables before you turn on the heat, because once the skillet is hot, everything moves fast and you won't have time to chop while cooking.
  • Keep your lettuce leaves separate and in a dry place until the last moment—any residual water will make them wilt faster than you'd expect.
03 -
  • Keep your skillet on medium-high rather than high heat so you can control the cooking and everything develops color instead of burning.
  • If you're making this for a crowd, cook the beef mixture ahead and reheat it gently just before serving—the lettuce stays crisp and you're not juggling hot pans when people arrive.

Return