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Ground Pork Lettuce Wraps - Fresh, Fast, and Full of Flavor

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb (450 g) ground pork
  • 1 tablespoon neutral oil (canola, avocado, or grapeseed)
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced or grated
  • 1 red bell pepper, finely diced (optional for sweetness and color)
  • 1 small carrot, grated (optional for crunch)
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced (plus more for topping)
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari)
  • 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1/2 to 1 teaspoon chili-garlic sauce or sriracha (to taste)
  • 1 head butter lettuce or Bibb lettuce (or romaine hearts), leaves separated and washed
  • Juice of 1/2 lime (plus wedges for serving)
  • Fresh cilantro or mint, chopped (for garnish)
  • Toasted sesame seeds or crushed peanuts (for topping, optional)
  • Cooked rice or rice noodles (optional, for serving)

Method
 

  1. Prep your lettuce and toppings: Separate and rinse the lettuce leaves. Pat them dry so they stay crisp. Chop herbs, slice green onions, and set out lime wedges and any crunchy toppings.
  2. Make the sauce: In a small bowl, stir together soy sauce, hoisin, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, and chili-garlic sauce. Taste and adjust heat or sweetness.
  3. Sauté aromatics: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add onion and cook 2–3 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and ginger for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Brown the pork: Add ground pork. Cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until no longer pink and lightly browned, about 5–7 minutes. Let it sit undisturbed for a minute or two to get some caramelization.
  5. Add veggies: Stir in bell pepper and carrot. Cook 2–3 minutes until slightly tender but still crisp.
  6. Sauce it up: Pour in the sauce and toss to coat. Simmer 1–2 minutes until slightly thickened and glossy. Stir in green onions and a squeeze of lime juice.
  7. Assemble: Spoon the pork filling into lettuce leaves. Top with herbs, sesame seeds or peanuts, extra green onions, and another squeeze of lime if you like.
  8. Serve: Set rice or rice noodles on the side, or tuck a little into the wraps for a heartier bite.