Nutrient-Packed Beef Lettuce Wraps: A Summer Appetite Booster
Create Delicious Beef Lettuce Wraps with Tender Beef and Crisp Vegetables to Revive Your Summer Appetite!
Experience the perfect harmony of crisp textures and rich, savory juices with these Beef Lettuce Wraps. Made easily at home using premium Australian grass-fed beef, they’re a refreshing and wholesome meal perfect for any season, especially summer when appetites might wane. The combination of fresh, crunchy vegetables and flavorful, juicy beef makes this dish irresistible to all ages. Elevate your home cooking with this elegant and delightful Beef Lettuce Wrap recipe – it’s also a fantastic option for entertaining guests!
Essential Ingredients
- 150g Ground Beef (preferably Australian grass-fed)
- Fresh Lettuce Leaves (e.g., iceberg or butter lettuce), to your desired amount
- 1/6 Carrot, finely diced
- 2 Shiitake Mushrooms, stems removed and finely diced
- 1/2 Green Bell Pepper, seeds removed and finely diced
- 1/2 Red Bell Pepper, seeds removed and finely diced
- 1 section White part of Leek, finely chopped
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced or crushed
- Cooking Oil, as needed
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Cooking Sake (or Mirin)
- 2 Tbsp Warm Water
- 1 Tbsp Oyster Sauce
- 1/3 Tbsp Sugar
- Pinch of Salt, to taste
- 1/4 Tbsp Black Pepper
- 2 Tbsp Slurry (1 Tbsp cornstarch mixed with 1 Tbsp water)
- A dash of Sesame Oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Wash all your vegetables thoroughly. Finely dice the carrot and the shiitake mushrooms (after removing the tough stems). Similarly, finely dice the green and red bell peppers, removing any seeds and membranes. Chop the white part of the leek finely. Dicing the vegetables into small, uniform pieces ensures they cook evenly with the beef and blend beautifully in each bite.
Step 2
Mince or crush the garlic cloves. In a bowl, place the ground beef and season it with a pinch of salt and 1/4 Tbsp of black pepper. Mixing the seasoning into the beef beforehand helps to infuse it with flavor as it cooks.
Step 3
Heat a skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add a generous amount of cooking oil. Add the seasoned ground beef and stir-fry until it’s browned. Once the beef is mostly cooked, add the diced carrots, chopped leek, and minced garlic. Continue to stir-fry for another minute or two until the vegetables are slightly tender and fragrant.
Step 4
Pour in the soy sauce and cooking sake (or mirin). Stir-fry everything together quickly over high heat for about 30 seconds, allowing the sauce to coat the beef and vegetables and develop a rich aroma.
Step 5
Add the diced red and green bell peppers, along with the finely chopped shiitake mushrooms, to the skillet. Stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes, just until the bell peppers are tender-crisp. We want them to retain a slight bite for a delightful texture contrast.
Step 6
Pour in the warm water, followed by the oyster sauce, sugar, a pinch of salt (adjust to your taste), and the remaining black pepper. Stir well to combine all the ingredients and seasonings. Let it simmer for a minute to allow the flavors to meld.
Step 7
To thicken the sauce, gradually pour in the cornstarch slurry while stirring continuously. Continue stirring until the sauce reaches your desired consistency – it should be slightly glossy and coat the ingredients nicely. Remove from heat and stir in a dash of sesame oil for an extra layer of nutty fragrance. Your delicious beef filling is now ready!
Step 8
Prepare the lettuce leaves by tearing them into bite-sized pieces or keeping them whole, depending on your preference. Arrange the clean lettuce leaves attractively on a serving platter. Their refreshing crunch will perfectly complement the savory beef filling.
Step 9
Spoon a generous portion of the prepared beef and vegetable mixture onto each lettuce leaf. Serve immediately. Enjoy wrapping and savoring these vibrant and flavorful Beef Lettuce Wraps!
