Description
These Thai Basil Beef Lettuce Wraps are a quick and flavorful appetizer or light meal featuring savory ground beef infused with garlic, fresh Thai basil, zesty lime juice, and a hint of soy sauce. Served in crisp butter lettuce leaves, they offer a refreshing and healthy way to enjoy bold Thai-inspired flavors in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves, chopped
- 3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 tsp chili flakes (optional)
Wraps
- 8 large butter lettuce leaves
Instructions
- Prep ingredients: Mince the garlic cloves finely and chop the fresh Thai basil leaves. Make sure the ground beef is fully thawed before cooking to ensure even cooking.
- Sauté garlic: Heat a small amount of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until it turns golden and fragrant, about 30 seconds. Be careful not to burn it to maintain the best flavor.
- Cook beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet with the garlic. Stir frequently, breaking the meat apart with a spatula, and cook until the beef is fully browned and no longer pink inside, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain off any excess fat if necessary to keep the filling light.
- Add sauces: Stir in the low-sodium soy sauce and freshly squeezed lime juice thoroughly, coating the beef evenly. If you enjoy some heat, add the optional chili flakes now and mix well.
- Mix in basil: Remove the skillet from heat and gently fold the chopped Thai basil leaves into the beef mixture to release their aromatic flavor without cooking them down.
- Assemble wraps: Spoon a generous amount of the Thai basil beef mixture into each butter lettuce leaf. Roll up the lettuce around the filling to form wraps and serve immediately for best texture and freshness.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with finely chopped mushrooms or plant-based ground meat alternatives.
- You can add shredded carrots or chopped peanuts for added texture and crunch.
- Use iceberg or romaine lettuce as an alternative if butter lettuce is unavailable.
- Adjust chili flakes to your preferred spice level or omit completely for milder flavor.
- Leftover filling can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheated on the stovetop.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Thai
