What Are Beef Lettuce Wraps?

Beef lettuce wraps are a fantastic culinary creation that encourage a healthy spin on traditional wraps. Instead of using tortillas or bread, you envelop a flavorful protein filling, in this case, tender beef, within crisp lettuce leaves. This is an excellent low-calorie and low-carb option, particularly enjoyable for those seeking lighter fare.

The inspiration for lettuce wraps originates from Korean barbecue culture, where you are often served grilled meats alongside an array of pickled vegetables and lettuce. Once your meat is cooked, it’s customary to assemble it into the lettuce leaf along with your choice of garnishes for a fulfilling experience.

Ingredients for Beef Lettuce Wraps

• Smoked Roast Beef: Look for a recipe for smoked top round roast or eye of round roast. Save any leftovers for this dish.
• Korean BBQ Sauce: Typically found in the Asian section of your grocery store, these sauces may contain gochujang and range from mild to spicy.
• Pickled Veggies: A quick pickling liquid can transform carrots and daikon radish. We’ll cover that shortly!
• Crispy Rice Noodles: For added crunch, opt for fried Thai vermicelli rice noodles that puff up beautifully.
• Boston, Butter, or Bibb Lettuce: These varieties of butterhead lettuce are ideal. However, iceberg or romaine can be substitutes.
• Green Onions
• Cilantro or Parsley

Note: Daikon can be tricky to find; feel free to use other radishes or only carrots. Sesame seeds are a great alternative if frying noodles isn’t your thing.

How to Prepare Beef Lettuce Wraps

1. Step One: Using thinly sliced roast beef, ideally from a smoked top round roast, is crucial. Whether served warm or cold, beef lends itself beautifully to lettuce wraps!
2. Step Two: Prepare the pickled veggies by heating white vinegar, water, and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat until dissolved. Remove it from heat and add sliced veggies to pickle while you prepare the other ingredients.
3. Step Three: For crispy noodles, heat oil in a separate pan over medium-high heat. Fry small batches of uncooked rice noodles for about 3 to 5 seconds until they puff, then drain on paper towels and salt them lightly.

How to Build Your Lettuce Wraps

To construct the lettuce wraps, take a leaf of lettuce and layer it with a few slices of smoked beef. Drizzle Korean BBQ sauce over the beef, followed by pickled veggies, crispy noodles, and a sprinkle of green onions and herbs.

To serve a family meal, arrange all components separately so everyone can customize their own wraps. For entertaining, pre-assemble the wraps and present them on a platter, offering both mild and spicy sauces on the side to cater to all tastes.

Storage Instructions

It is recommended to enjoy assembled lettuce wraps immediately, particularly if sauce is added. However, it’s fine to keep the components separate in airtight containers in the refrigerator for a few days. Ingredients like lettuce, pickled veggies, and beef store well individually.

Frequently Asked Questions