Beef Lettuce Wraps Peanuts (Printable)
Savory ground beef, crunchy peanuts, and fresh veggies in crisp lettuce leaves for a quick flavorful dish.
# What You'll Need:
→ Beef Filling
01 - 1 lb lean ground beef
02 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
06 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
07 - 2 tbsp soy sauce
08 - 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
09 - 1 tbsp rice vinegar
10 - 1 tsp sesame oil
11 - 1 tsp brown sugar
12 - 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
13 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ Garnishes & Assembly
14 - 8 large butter or Bibb lettuce leaves, washed and dried
15 - 1/2 cup roasted peanuts, roughly chopped
16 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
17 - 1 small carrot, julienned or grated
18 - Fresh cilantro leaves (optional)
19 - Lime wedges, for serving
# How to Make It:
01 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add finely chopped onion and cook for 2 minutes until softened.
02 - Add minced garlic and grated fresh ginger; sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Incorporate ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes until fully browned and cooked through.
04 - Stir in diced red bell pepper and continue cooking for 2 minutes.
05 - Mix soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, brown sugar, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper into the skillet. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally to integrate flavors and heat through.
06 - Take the skillet off the heat to prevent overcooking.
07 - Spoon the beef mixture into the center of each lettuce leaf. Garnish with chopped peanuts, sliced green onions, julienned carrot, and fresh cilantro leaves as desired.
08 - Present immediately with lime wedges on the side for squeezing.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- No cooking skills required—just seasoning and assembly, so even a chaotic weeknight becomes manageable.
- The peanuts and beef give you real satisfaction in thirty minutes flat, which is rare for something this craveable.
- It's naturally dairy-free and works for people who eat meat, people avoiding grains, or anyone tired of the same dinner routine.
02 -
- Don't oversoak the lettuce when you wash it—excess water makes it limp, so pat it completely dry and store it in paper towels if you're prepping ahead.
- If the filling seems too saucy, let it simmer an extra minute; if it's too dry, add a splash of water or a drizzle of sesame oil rather than more soy sauce.
03 -
- Toast your peanuts in a dry pan for two minutes before chopping if they've been sitting in your pantry for a while—it wakes up their flavor in a way that feels almost expensive.
- Prep your vegetables in advance and store them separately so you can assemble in seconds once the beef is ready, which takes the stress out of cooking for guests.