Asian/ Beef/ Favorites/ Gluten Free

Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps

Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps – Sweet and mildly spiced beef, cooked quickly and enjoyed in a sturdy leaf of lettuce, creating smiles all around the table.Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps - Sweet and mildly spiced beef, cooked quickly and enjoyed in a sturdy leaf of lettuce, creating smiles all around the table ~ The Complete SavoristThis is my third, yes 3rd! post of lettuce wraps.  I love them.  You can make them in any flavor.

I am mostly ignorant of Korean cuisine. I tend to order the same 4 or 5 dishes when I eat out at the local joint and the marinade for making bbq beef is the limit of my knowledge.  That, of course, won’t stop me from learning more.

This Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps are LOOSELY based on bulgogi, a classic dish of grilled, sliced beef that has been marinated in sesame oil, garlic, soy sauce, and sugar. Mine has all these ingredients and then taking the creative license like I frequently do, I added a few other items as well.  Oh man, did I ever pick the correct items to be creative with.Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps - Sweet and mildly spiced beef, cooked quickly and enjoyed in a sturdy leaf of lettuce, creating smiles all around the table ~ The Complete SavoristWhile incredibly humble looking, the saucy beef provides such intense flavor you will not be disappointed. I enjoyed them in the lettuce leaves, but my daughter opted for rice.  My guests were divided between using lettuce and rice and one even just added the rice to the lettuce, covering all her bases!

I will get around to making traditional bulgogi along with many other fabulous Korean dishes. But for now, the Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps will have to tide me over.

I’ve shared a Chinese chicken lettuce wrap, a taco lettuce wrap, and now this Korean beef.  What else do you like in a lettuce wrap? What else should I make in a lettuce wrap? Get creative on me.Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps - Sweet and mildly spiced beef, cooked quickly and enjoyed in a sturdy leaf of lettuce, creating smiles all around the table ~ The Complete SavoristUpdate: In fixing some typos in both the text here and recipe, I couldn’t help but mention that my love of lettuce wraps has grown now to include Butter Chicken Lettuce Wraps and the best part of this recipe is the butter chicken is made in the slow cooker.

Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps

Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Asian
Author: Michelle De La Cerda
Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps - Sweet and mildly spiced beef, cooked quickly and enjoyed in a sturdy leaf of lettuce, creating smiles all around the table
Print

Ingredients

  • 1 head lettuce (Bibb, Boston, and butter are great choices)
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar (or less to decrease sweetness)
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce or tamari
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil; divided in half
  • 3 cloves garlic; minced/grated
  • 1/4 tsp . ground ginger
  • 1/8 tsp . red pepper flakes (optional and to taste)
  • 1 bunch green onions; divided between white and green parts
  • 3 tbsp rice wine vinegar
  • Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Whisk in a bowl the brown sugar, soy sauce/tamari, 1/2 tbsp sesame oil, garlic, ginger, rice wine vinegar, and red pepper flakes until blended; set aside.
  2. In a wok or large skillet, brown the ground beef in 1/2 tbsp sesame oil.
  3. Add the white part of the green onions to the beef and continue cooking until the beef is done.
  4. Drain any rendered fat.
  5. Pour the sauce over the meat and allow it to reduce down; about 3-5 minutes.
  6. Serve in lettuce leaves or over rice.
  7. Sprinkle remaining green onions over each portion and garnish with sesame seeds if using.

Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps - Sweet and mildly spiced beef, cooked quickly and enjoyed in a sturdy leaf of lettuce, creating smiles all around the table ~ The Complete SavoristKorean Beef Lettuce Wraps - Sweet and mildly spiced beef, cooked quickly and enjoyed in a sturdy leaf of lettuce, creating smiles all around the table ~ The Complete Savorist

Thank you for sharing!

You Might Also Like

40 Comments

  • Reply
    Beth
    March 10, 2015 at 5:57 am

    Since I have a gluten allergy, I have relied heavily on lettuce wraps, and I love them too!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      March 10, 2015 at 12:47 pm

      They really are fun and versatile.

      • Reply
        Bea
        April 28, 2016 at 6:19 am

        Am I to assume that it is a 1/4 cup of soy sauce AND a 1/4 cup of tamari or is it either/or? Thank you.

        • Reply
          Michelle De La Cerda
          April 28, 2016 at 8:53 am

          Either/or. Tamari keeps the dish gluten free for those who need that, otherwise just use soy sauce.

  • Reply
    Amy @ A Healthy Life For Me
    March 10, 2015 at 6:52 am

    I am a huge fan of lettuce wrap recipes too, so bring them on! Love how easy this recipe is to pull together.

  • Reply
    Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom
    March 10, 2015 at 7:57 am

    For my birthday last year, I wanted Korean lettuce wraps as my special dinner. I wish I had your recipe then. These look great. Can’t wait to try!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      March 10, 2015 at 12:49 pm

      It’s super easy to put together that you can have your special bday dinner frequently. 🙂

  • Reply
    Melissa Falk
    March 10, 2015 at 9:13 am

    I also love a good lettuce wrap as well as Korean BBQ and bulgogi. These look delightful 🙂

  • Reply
    Danae @ Recipe Runner
    March 10, 2015 at 3:28 pm

    I love lettuce wraps! They are so light and addicting. The Korean beef in these looks delicious!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      March 10, 2015 at 7:44 pm

      Thank you so much Danae!

  • Reply
    amanda @ fake ginger
    March 10, 2015 at 8:14 pm

    You could post 157 lettuce wraps recipes and I still wouldn’t get tired of them. I loooove lettuce wraps! These look awesome and I’m totally making them soon!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      March 10, 2015 at 8:57 pm

      I am so happy to hear that because I am already planning my next one! 🙂

  • Reply
    Catherine
    March 10, 2015 at 9:02 pm

    Dear Michelle, This sounds wonderful! Such a beautiful dish…Love it served on the lettuce leaves. Pinning. xo, Catherine

    • Reply
      Michelle
      March 10, 2015 at 11:05 pm

      Thank you Catherine. It was so tasty!

  • Reply
    Janette@culinaryginger
    March 11, 2015 at 9:28 am

    5 stars
    I never met a lettuce wrap I didn’t like and I’m loving this one. Can’t wait to try the recipe.

  • Reply
    Betty
    March 16, 2015 at 5:14 pm

    Love lettuce wraps and yours look so good and easy.

    • Reply
      Michelle
      March 16, 2015 at 6:13 pm

      Thank you, hope you enjoy them.

  • Reply
    Kelly @ TastingPage
    July 9, 2015 at 10:11 am

    I can never get enough lettuce wraps in my life and I love bulgogi so this is a winner in my book!

  • Reply
    Gwen @simplyhealthyfamily
    July 9, 2015 at 10:28 am

    What a wonderful lettuce wrap! Perfect for summer. Saving and sharing. I’m definitely making these ASAP!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      July 9, 2015 at 1:01 pm

      Thank you Gwen, they are really tasty.

  • Reply
    | BHG Delish Dish
    July 10, 2015 at 7:31 am

    […] you looking for something on the sweeter side…Then try these Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps by The Complete Savorist. Garnished with green onions and sesame seeds, this flavorful stir-fried […]

  • Reply
    The (broke) student guide to healthy eating | To Bake or Study?
    October 7, 2015 at 7:32 am

    […] – Lasagne, chili con carne, made-over moussaka, meatballs, even little Korean beef lettuce wraps and Mexican favourites like cheesy quesadillas, fajitas and taco rice. Unfortunately many of those […]

  • Reply
    Holiday Checklist, Dinner – Done! | S'more Mom
    December 2, 2015 at 7:04 am

    […] 8 Shredded Beef Tacos or mix it up with these Korean Style Lettuce Wraps (both of these yield awesome […]

  • Reply
    Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps – The Stay At Home Cook
    January 14, 2016 at 5:30 am

    […] Serve in lettuce leaves or over rice. Sprinkle remaining green onions over each portion and garnish with sesame seeds. Recipe Credit […]

  • Reply
    Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Lettuce Wraps - The Complete Savorist
    April 13, 2016 at 12:28 pm

    […] true. Here are some of my other lettuce wrap recipes: traditional Chinese-style chicken, Korean BBQ beef, turkey taco and now a slow cooker butter chicken lettuce wrap. What else should I make into a […]

  • Reply
    The (broke) student guide to eating well – To Bake or Study?
    May 29, 2016 at 12:49 pm

    […] – Lasagne, chili con carne, made-over moussaka, meatballs, even little Korean beef lettuce wraps and Mexican favourites like cheesy quesadillas, fajitas and taco rice. Unfortunately many of those […]

  • Reply
    Shirley Tam
    June 7, 2016 at 11:41 am

    I usually slice the beef, marinade with pre-made Korean BBQ sauce and grill them. My kids love to eat them with rice.

    • Reply
      Michelle De La Cerda
      June 7, 2016 at 12:28 pm

      Sliced beef is a great, and more traditional way to go. Ground beef was a cheaper and faster option. My daughter loves them too.

  • Reply
    Ashy
    August 1, 2016 at 5:10 pm

    Can’t wait to try these tonight, I know they’ll be good and flavorful cause I made your hoisin pork noodle bowls!
    Can’t wait for dinner wooooo!

  • Reply
    JESSE
    August 25, 2016 at 12:54 pm

    I’d like to incorporate more vegetables, either in this or on the side, any ideas that would match?

    • Reply
      Michelle De La Cerda
      August 26, 2016 at 2:36 pm

      For inside you can finely dice some mushrooms, spinach, zucchini, carrot, and/or MAYBE bok choy, but I’m not 100% sold on the idea of bok choy. As a side, quickly stir fry some veggies.

  • Reply
    Japanese Inspired Pot Roast - The Complete Savorist
    October 17, 2019 at 2:50 pm

    […] Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps […]

  • Reply
    Gerry - BK
    May 27, 2020 at 3:14 pm

    5 stars
    Wow, was this good. I loved it. Served some ginger and coconut rice in the bottom of the lettuce wraps for a complete meal. It was so full of great flavors and textures. You could taste the green onions, garlic and ginger, the soya sauce and the vinegar, so good. The brown sugar nicely coats the meat turning it into a special treat. Thank you so much for sharing this lovely dish, which I will enjoy again. BK

    • Reply
      Michelle De La Cerda
      May 29, 2020 at 12:05 pm

      Thank you so much. I am thrilled you enjoyed them. It’s been a bit since I last made them and reading your comments have inspired me to make them this weekend.

  • Leave a Reply

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.