Ground Pork Lettuce Wraps Recipe

When you go out to an Asian restaurant, one of the most common things you may see in the menu's appetizer section is lettuce wraps. This wonderful dish is usually served with a meat filling and veggie topper that is both fresh and delicious. A little bit of hoisin sauce and soy sauce adds the perfect amount of flavor that compliments the pork (in this case) so well. Pair that with a crunchy piece of lettuce, and you have one of the most wonderful appetizers or main you could dream up!

Recipe developer Susan Olayinka of The Flexible Fridge came up with this ground pork lettuce wraps recipe that is a must-try. There are many things to love about these healthy wraps, and Olayinka says that she loves how "fresh" they are. "It's a great lunch option," she adds. We would have to agree, but it's also wonderful for dinner as well. If you love a good wrap but can do without the typical bread outer layer, keep reading to learn how to make this lettuce-wrapped version.

Sadly, these pork lettuce wraps won't make themselves, so you will need to start things off by taking a trip to the grocery store. Pop by the produce section and grab a carrot, bell pepper, and a few green onions. You will also need some sesame oil, which is pretty standard in most Asian-inspired dishes. Next, pick up some ground pork and some cashew nuts. For the tasty sauce, you will need dark soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and honey. To kick things up a bit, grab some chili flakes. The last two items you need are salt and romaine lettuce.

Now that you have everything you need for these lettuce wraps, we can get cooking! This recipe requires just 10 minutes of prep time, and it's super simple. Start by grabbing your carrot, bell pepper, and green onions, as well as a cutting board and knife. "A sharp knife should used. Just be sure to cut it thinly," Olayinka says. Simply chop all the veggies into skinny strips and then set them to the side. You can keep them in a bowl or on a cutting board. You will need them shortly but not quite yet in the next step. 

Here's the part where you start cooking. Take out a frying pan and toss in the sesame oil. If you need a sub for sesame oil, Olayinka says you can use "standard vegetable oil." Turn the heat up to medium-high and let it get nice and hot. Then, add the ground pork and cook until it's brown. This shouldn't take more than 10 minutes or so.

Now, it's time to tend to the cashews. Turn the oven to your highest broil setting and add the cashews to a baking sheet. Toast them for one to two minutes, until golden brown.

Now, it's time to add the sauces to spice up your pork! Start with soy sauce and hoisin sauce, and drizzle them over the meat in the pan. Then, add the honey, chili flakes, and salt. Mix everything together and cook for another three minutes. This sauce goes so well with the pork and adds that extra something that it needs. Once you finish cooking, separate the lettuce leaves and assemble the wraps. Place the pork mixture on the bottom, followed by the chopped veggies, and toasted finally the toasted cashews on top.

The last step is simple — getting to enjoy all of your work. You can serve these as an appetizer or a main course, and they would even make a great snack. These go well on their own or also would be good with some rice. If you like a little bit of heat, you can add a little sriracha on top of each. As for leftovers, Olayinka advises to "keep the fresh veggie and meat separately so you can reheat the meat." We hope you love this recipe as much as we do!