This Asian-inspired recipe combines tender ground beef, fragrant jasmine rice, and crunchy vegetables for a fresh, flavorful twist on classic lettuce wraps. Aromatic ginger and garlic infuse the beef with warmth and depth, while soy sauce, hoisin, and a touch of brown sugar create a savory-sweet glaze. Crisp water chestnuts add texture, and a hint of Sriracha lends just the right amount of spice. Each bite is balanced with fresh basil, cilantro, and roasted peanuts, all wrapped in cool butter lettuce leaves, creating a delicious fusion of flavors and textures perfect for any meal.
2 servings, 700 calories per serving, approximately 40 grams of protein per serving
Ingredients
- ½ cup jasmine rice
- ½ ounce ginger
- 1 clove garlic
- 3 tablespoons roasted salted peanuts
- ¼ cup water chestnuts
- 1/8 ounce basil
- Cilantro
- 1 head butter lettuce
- 12 ounces ground beef
- 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 teaspoon light brown sugar
- 1/2 tablespoon Sriracha hot sauce
- 1 tablespoon Canola Oil
- 1 cup water
You'll Need
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- 6” small pot with lid
- 10” large pan
1. Cook Rice
In a small pot, combine rice, 1 cup water, and ¼ teaspoon salt and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium low, cover, and simmer until water is fully evaporated, 10-12 minutes. Remove pot from heat and let stand, still covered, for 10 minutes. Fluff rice with fork, then cover to keep warm until ready to serve.
2. Prepare Ingredients
While rice cooks, trim and discard skin of ginger and mince. Mince garlic. Roughly chop peanuts. Roughly chop water chestnuts. Rinse remaining produce. Roughly chop basil and cilantro leaves, discarding stems and keeping herbs separate. Pat lettuce dry with paper towel, pull off 6 large leaves for wraps, and divide between serving plates. Pat beef dry with paper towel.
3. Sauté Aromatics
Heat 1 tablespoon canola oil in a medium pan over medium-high heat. When oil is simmering, add ginger and garlic and sauté, stirring about 1 minute.
4. Brown Beef and Make Sauce
Add soy sauce and beef to pan with aromatics over medium-high heat. Season with ¼ teaspoon salt and pepper as desired and cook, breaking up meat, until browned, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together hoisin sauce, brown sugar, and Sriracha.
5. Season Beef
Using a slotted spoon, transfer browned beef to bowl with sauce. Stir in water chestnuts and cilantro to combine. Taste and add more salt and pepper as desired.
6. Plate Thai Lettuce Wrap
Stir basil into pot with rice. Divide basil rice evenly among lettuce wraps, then spoon over beef. Garnish with peanuts and dig in!