Thai Lettuce Wraps Recipe for Dinner
These Thai lettuce wraps are a flavorful and fun dinner option that combines crispy lettuce leaves with spicy, lime-seasoned ground pork and fresh herbs. Perfect for a casual meal or as an elegant hors d'oeuvre, this recipe is both addictive and easy to customize with your favorite toppings and variations.
Equipment
- 12-inch skillet
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Asian fish sauce
- Finely grated zest of ½ lime
- 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
- ½ teaspoon honey
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt plus more as needed
- 1 tablespoon peanut oil
- 3 garlic cloves finely chopped
- 1 fresh Thai serrano, or jalapeño chile, seeded and finely chopped
- 1 scallion white and green parts, finely chopped (plus more for serving)
- 1 lemongrass stalk trimmed and finely minced (optional)
- 1 pound ground pork or ground turkey
- 5 cups 5 ounces fresh baby spinach
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves torn into pieces
- Chopped cashews for serving
- Thinly sliced shallots for serving
- Shredded carrots for serving
- Lime wedges for serving
- Lettuce leaves such as Bibb lettuce or endive, for serving
Instructions
- Mix the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, fish sauce, lime zest, lime juice, honey, and ⅛ teaspoon of salt. Whisk until smooth, and set aside for later use.
- Cook the Pork: Heat the peanut oil in a large skillet (about 12 inches) over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, chile, scallion, and lemongrass (if using), and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Add the ground pork to the skillet and break it apart with a spatula. Cook for about 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meat is browned and most of the liquid has evaporated. Use a flat spatula to press the pork against the skillet to create crispy bits, enhancing the flavor.
- Add Sauce and Spinach: Pour the prepared sauce mixture into the skillet with the cooked pork and stir well. Let it cook for about 1 minute, then add the baby spinach. Stir until the spinach is wilted and well incorporated into the pork mixture. Toss in the torn basil leaves and taste the mixture, adjusting the seasoning with more salt if needed.
- Assemble and Serve: Transfer the pork and spinach mixture to a serving dish. Arrange the scallion greens, chopped cashews, thinly sliced shallots, shredded carrots, lime wedges, and lettuce leaves around the pork. Serve everything family-style, allowing each person to create their own wraps by filling the lettuce leaves with the pork mixture and toppings of their choice.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground pork with a plant-based alternative or crumbled tofu.
- Offer bowls of steamed rice or sticky rice for those who want a heartier meal.
- To make ahead, cook the pork mixture and reheat gently before serving.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!