Introduction

These easy Asian lettuce wraps are bursting with fresh flavor and crunchy texture. They make the perfect light appetizer or main dish for entertaining.

The filling contains ground chicken sautéed with mushrooms, water chestnuts, green onions and seasoned with ginger, garlic and soy. Served wrapped in cool, crisp lettuce leaves, it’s a fun hand-held way to enjoy Asian flavors.

With just 30 minutes of active time, you can have this crowd-pleasing dish ready to enjoy. Read on for the full recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound ground chicken
• 8 oz white mushrooms, finely chopped
• 1⁄2 cup minced water chestnuts, drained and rinsed
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
• 3 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1/4 cup chicken broth

For Serving:

• 1 head butter lettuce, leaves separated
• 1⁄4 cup unsalted peanuts, chopped
• Hot sauce (optional)
• Lime wedges

Equipment Needed

• Large skillet
• Spatula
• Knife and cutting board
• Measuring spoons
• Mixing bowl

Cook the Filling

1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil. Add ground chicken and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon until no longer pink.
2. Add mushrooms, water chestnuts, garlic, ginger and cook for 2-3 minutes until mushrooms are softened.
3. Stir in green onions, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil and chicken broth. Reduce heat and simmer for 2-3 minutes until excess liquid evaporates.
4. Remove pan from heat and set filling aside.

Assemble the Lettuce Wraps

1. Place desired amount of lettuce leaves on a platter.
2. Scoop 2-3 tablespoons of the chicken filling into each lettuce leaf.
3. Top with a sprinkle of chopped peanuts.

Serving Suggestions

Serve immediately while warm and enjoy as is, or with:

• A squirt of Sriracha or other hot sauce
• A squeeze of lime juice
• Extra soy sauce for dipping
• Chopped green onions, cilantro or mint
• Toasted sesame seeds

Storage

• Store filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days.
• Assemble fresh lettuce wraps just before serving. Soft lettuce leaves don’t hold up well.
• Wraps are best when enjoyed right after assembly.

Customize the Filling

Tailor the filling to your tastes with these easy additions:

• Shredded carrot for crunch
• Edamame, snap peas or watercress for extra veg
• Rice noodles or cellophane noodles
• Shrimp, tuna or tofu instead of chicken
• Thai basil, cilantro or mint
• Chili-garlic sauce or sriracha for heat
• Lime juice and zest
• Crushed peanuts or cashews

Other Lettuce Wrap Ideas

Experiment with different fillings wrapped in lettuce leaves:

• Thai chicken with peanut sauce
• Korean bulgogi beef
• Buffalo chicken with blue cheese
• Mediterranean chickpeas and feta
• Southwest black bean and corn
• Greek gyro meat with tzatziki
• Curried cauliflower or tofu

The options are endless for creating fun and flavorful lettuce wrapped recipes!

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 4-6

Yield: 20-25 lettuce wraps

The History of Lettuce Wraps

Lettuce wraps may seem trendy, but they have a long history as a creative way to eat:

• Lettuce leaves used as edible vessels trace back centuries in parts of Asia and the Middle East.
• Romaine lettuce leaves served alongside food are thought to have originated in China.
• Lettuce wraps gained popularity in the U.S. in the 1980s and ‘90s at Chinese-American restaurants. P.F. Chang’s popularized them widely.
• They provide a fun, interactive and lighter way to enjoy flavors by swapping out bread, tortillas or rice.
• Home cooks and restaurants continue to come up with creative fillings to reinvent this wrap style.

Part of the appeal is customizeability – diners can build wraps just the way they like.

How to Choose Lettuce for Wraps

The best lettuces for wraps are:

• Romaine – Sturdy, scoop-able leaves
• Butterhead – Flexible leaves with silky texture
• Bibb – Smaller tender leaves good for finger food
• Boston – Ruffled sweet leaves that wrap easily

Avoid delicate lettuces like arugula that will tear and wilt too quickly. Look for heads with large, intact leaves.

Taking Lettuce Wraps on the Go

Lettuce wraps make an ideal portable meal or appetizer. Here are some tips:

• Assemble wraps just before eating to prevent soggy lettuce.
• If making in advance, keep components separate and assemble on site.
• Pack dressing/sauce in a separate container to add just before eating.
• Bring fresh lettuce heads and wrap fillings in easy-to-assemble batches.
• For picnics or parties, set up a DIY wrap bar so guests can customize.

With a few simple precautions, lettuce wraps travel beautifully!