Name: Juicy Thai Beef Lettuce Cups Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients: 1 tbsp tamari or all-purpose soy sauce; 1 tsp dark soy sauce; 1 tbsp fish sauce; 1 tbsp oyster sauce; 1 tbsp brown sugar; 1 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch); 2 tbsp water; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 small onion, finely diced; 1 tbsp freshly minced garlic; 1 tbsp freshly minced ginger; 500 g minced (ground) beef (or chicken or pork); 100 g green beans, finely sliced into 1 cm (½ inch) lengths; 1 carrot, julienned or grated; 2 handfuls Thai basil leaves (reserve 1 sprig for garnish); 12 cos (romaine) lettuce or iceberg lettuce leaves; 1 spring onion (scallion), finely sliced; 1 bird’s eye chilli, finely sliced (optional); 40 g roughly chopped raw unsalted peanuts; 1 lime, quartered

Introduction

These Juicy Thai Beef Lettuce Cups offer a flavorful, fresh way to enjoy savory minced beef wrapped in crisp lettuce. Packed with aromatic herbs and a tangy sauce, they’re perfect for a light lunch or an impressive appetizer. Easy to prepare and fun to eat, they bring vibrant Thai flavors straight to your table.

The image shows a bowl filled with cooked ground beef mixed with chopped green vegetables and thin carrot sticks, giving the dish a mix of brown, green, and orange colors with a slightly glossy texture. The bowl is white and sits on a white marbled surface. Nearby, fresh green lettuce leaves and a lime wedge can be seen, along with a smaller white bowl holding sliced green onions. A few fresh basil leaves are placed on top of the beef mix, adding a bright green touch. The lighting is natural, highlighting the freshness and texture of the ingredients. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 tbsp tamari or all-purpose soy sauce

1 tsp dark soy sauce

1 tbsp fish sauce

1 tbsp oyster sauce

1 tbsp brown sugar

1 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch)

2 tbsp water

2 tbsp olive oil

1 small onion, finely diced

1 tbsp freshly minced garlic

1 tbsp freshly minced ginger

500 g minced (ground) beef (or chicken or pork)

100 g green beans, finely sliced into 1 cm (½ inch) lengths

1 carrot, julienned or grated

2 handfuls Thai basil leaves (reserve 1 sprig for garnish)

12 cos (romaine) or iceberg lettuce leaves (larger outer leaves)

1 spring onion (scallion), finely sliced

1 bird’s eye chilli, finely sliced (optional)

40 g roughly chopped raw unsalted peanuts

1 lime, quartered

Instructions

Step 1: Make the sauce by combining tamari or soy sauce, dark soy sauce, fish sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, cornflour, and water in a small bowl. Stir well to mix and set aside.

Step 2: Heat the olive oil in a large, deep frying pan over medium–high heat.

Step 3: Add the diced onion, minced garlic, and minced ginger to the pan. Cook, stirring, for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 4: Add the minced beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 2–3 minutes or until just browned.

Step 5: Add the sliced green beans and grated carrot to the pan. Toss and cook for another minute.

Step 6: Pour in the prepared sauce and simmer for 2–3 minutes until the vegetables are tender and the beef is cooked through. Stir through the Thai basil leaves until wilted.

Step 7: To serve, place the beef mixture in a bowl alongside the lettuce leaves, sliced spring onion, chilli (if using), chopped peanuts, lime wedges, and reserved Thai basil. Spoon the filling into lettuce leaves, add toppings as desired, and enjoy with your hands.

Tips & Variations

For a lighter option, substitute minced beef with ground chicken or pork.

If Thai basil is unavailable, use sweet basil or fresh mint for a different but delightful flavor.

Adjust the heat by omitting the bird’s eye chilli or adding more for extra spice.

Use iceberg lettuce for extra crunch or butter lettuce for a softer wrap.

FAQs

Can I make these lettuce cups vegetarian?

Yes, you can substitute the minced beef with firm tofu, tempeh, or finely chopped mushrooms for a vegetarian version. Adjust seasonings as needed to maintain flavor.

How can I make the sauce without fish sauce or oyster sauce?

You can substitute fish sauce with soy sauce or tamari for a vegetarian-friendly option. For oyster sauce, try using mushroom soy sauce or more dark soy sauce to keep a rich umami flavor.