Spicy Hoisin Beef Lettuce Wraps with Sesame Slaw

These beef lettuce wraps are the perfect balance of sweet, spicy and fresh. Tender ground beef is cooked with garlic powder, then tossed in a savory-sweet sauce made with hoisin and gochujang. The filling is spooned into crisp lettuce cups and topped with a bright, citrusy sesame slaw that adds crunch and tang.

Ready in just 20 minutes, this one-pan meal is ideal for busy weeknights when you want something delicious without a lot of fuss. The combination of warm, saucy beef and cool, crunchy slaw wrapped in lettuce is absolutely irresistible. Garnish with scallion greens and sesame seeds for extra flavor and texture.

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Ingredients

1 unit Baby LettuceView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1.5 ounce Sesame DressingView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

10 ounce Ground BeefView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 ounce Red Cabbage and Carrot MixView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Sesame SeedsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit LimeView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 unit ScallionsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon Garlic PowderView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon Hoisin SauceView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon Hot SauceView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 ounce Gochujang SauceView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon (tsp) SugarView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon (tsp) Cooking OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) Black PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Wash and dry the produce. Thinly slice the scallions, separating the white parts from the green tops. Halve the lime. Trim the root end from the lettuce and separate the leaves.
2. In a large pan, heat a drizzle of oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and season with garlic powder, salt and pepper. Cook, breaking up the meat into pieces, until browned and cooked through, 4-6 minutes. In the last 30 seconds, add the scallion whites and stir to combine.
3. In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine the red cabbage and carrot mix, sugar and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper. Microwave until the cabbage is slightly softened, 30-60 seconds.
4. Reduce the heat under the pan to medium-low. Stir in the hoisin sauce, gochujang sauce and 1/4 cup water. Cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce has thickened and the beef is coated, 1-2 minutes.
5. Add the sesame dressing and half the sesame seeds to the bowl with the cabbage mixture. Toss to combine.
6. Divide the lettuce leaves among plates. Fill each leaf with the sesame slaw, then top with the beef and any remaining sauce from the pan. Garnish with scallion greens and the remaining sesame seeds. Drizzle with hot sauce to taste. Serve immediately.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use ground chicken or turkey instead of beef?

Yes, ground chicken or turkey works well as a substitute. Cook until no longer pink, about 4-6 minutes.

What can I use instead of gochujang?

You can substitute sriracha or another chili paste mixed with a little sugar to mimic the sweet-spicy flavor.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

The beef and slaw can be prepared separately and refrigerated. Assemble the wraps just before serving to keep the lettuce crisp.