This is one of my personal chef clients favorite dishes. Delicious Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps are just like the ones at your favorite Asian restaurant, but even better. Browned ground beef and vegetables are seasoned with Asian flavors and served in lettuce leaves with fluffy rice.

lettuce cup filled with Korean beef and rice.

Are you like me and like to have a few tried-and-true recipes to take the stress out of dinner time? Along with Mom's meatloaf on Monday, shrimp tacos on Tuesday, and spaghetti with bolognese on Wednesday menu, I like to add an easy meal with an Asian twist. This one is a winner ~ Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps.

If you're a fan of Asian lettuce cups, you'll love this quick and easy dinner recipe. Sauteed ground beef and veggies and fluffy rice fill the lettuce leaves which serve as edible plates. It's a complete meal the whole family will love.

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Why you'll love this lettuce wrap recipe

This is one of my favorite recipes to make when I rushed to get dinner on the table. There are many reasons to love this great recipe.

Easy to make ~ Some chopping and sauteing is all that's needed to make this 30 minute meal.
Restaurant quality ~ A home chef can make copycat Asian style recipes like these beef lettuce wraps in their own kitchen. A few ingredients like hoisin sauce, chili garlic sauce, water chestnuts and pickled ginger are readily available at the grocery store and add restaurant quality flavor.
Versatile ~ If beef isn't your favorite meat, use ground turkey, pork or chicken instead. Also substitute your favorite veggies like corn, onion, asparagus or broccoli.
Make in advance ~ The filling and rice for the lettuce wraps can be prepped and cooked up to 2 days in advance. When ready to serve, just heat and fill the lettuce leaves.

filling for Korean beef lettuce wraps and sesame seeds.

Ingredients & substitutions

Gather some fresh and pantry ingredients for this recipe. If substitute ingredient options can be made to the recipe, they're listed. Scroll to the recipe card for full quantities of the ingredients.

Peanut oil ~ Avocado, canola, or olive oil are also options.
Lean ground beef ~ I use 93% lean ground beef for the recipe. Ground pork, turkey or chicken are also options.
Red bell pepper ~ Green, yellow or orange peppers are alternatives.
Zucchini
Spinach
Mushrooms
Hoisin sauce ~ This slightly spicy Asian barbecue sauce packs a flavor punch. Substitute regular barbecue sauce in a pinch.
Reduced sodium soy sauce ~ Regular soy sauce can be salty. I substitute the lower sodium version.
Rice wine vinegar ~ I use white rice wine vinegar, but a seasoned one can be a substitute.
Chili garlic sauce ~ A staple in spicy Asian cooking, chili garlic sauce is made from chili peppers, vinegar and garlic. Substitutes include chili garlic paste, sriracha, sambal oelek, harissa paste or hot sauce.
Water chestnuts ~ Bean sprouts or bamboo shoots are also options.
Lettuce ~ Iceberg, romaine, and Boston bibb lettuce are all tasty options.
Cooked hot rice ~ I like jasmine rice with Korean beef lettuce wraps. Basmati or brown rice are delicious alternatives.
Pickled ginger
Green onions
Cashews
Sesame seeds

Hint

Having Asian ingredients on hand makes preparing easy recipes that are super flavorful and a breeze. They also have a long shelf life either in the pantry or refrigerator.

How to make ground beef lettuce wraps

Here's a brief overview of the recipe. Complete instructions are included in the recipe card.

beef and veggie filling for lettuce wraps.

Step 1: In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Step 2: In the same pan, sauté the vegetables and combine with the cooked beef.
Step 3: Add the seasonings and the water chestnuts. Cook until heated through. The water chestnuts add an extra crunch and a crisp, cool component to the recipe.
Step 4: To serve, pile the cooked rice, beef mixture on separate lettuce leaves. Top with green onions, pickled ginger, cashews and sesame seeds.

Can you make beef lettuce wraps in advance?

YES! That's just one reason I love this recipe! Not only is it beyond delicious, but you can meal prep it entirely in advance. Here are the steps to make lettuce wraps ahead of time.

Prepare the beef and vegetable filling as directed in the recipe.
Make a pot of rice.
Cool the filling and rice and store separately in airtight containers the refrigerator for up to 2 days. These are my favorite meal prep containers.
Wash and dry each lettuce leaf. Wrap in a paper towel and store in a resealable plastic bag.
When it's dinner time (or any time you get hungry for lettuce wraps) heat the beef and vegetable filling and the rice and spoon into cool lettuce leaves. Top with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, chopped pickled ginger and cashews.

4 Korean beef lettuce wraps and sesame seeds.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best lettuce for wraps?

Butter lettuce is the classic wrap choice. As it's thin, you may want to double up the leaves before filling. Also try romaine, green leaf, or iceberg lettuce.

What are some other ways to serve lettuce wraps?

Try serving this recipe as rice bowls or as loaded salad bowls. To assemble, in individual bowls add chopped romaine or iceberg lettuce. Top with the warm rice and beef and vegetable mixture. Sprinkle with sliced green onions, pickled ginger, chopped cashews and sesame seeds. Drizzle with soy sauce and garlic chili sauce if desired.