Healthy Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps {Low Cal, GF, Low Carb}

Healthy Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps is a copycat recipe that tastes like the restaurant version you love! A lighter lettuce wrap recipe made with lean ground beef and veggies mixed with a delicious Asian sauce. Low Calorie + Gluten Free + Low Carb

You know I LOVE chicken lettuce wraps. They're one of my easy go-to meals for a quick lunch or dinner. I make them all the time!

Now enter easy lettuce wraps made with ground beef!

They are similar to PF Changs lettuce wraps only this version is made with lean ground beef, veggies and an easy Asian sauce that has delicious flavors.

Why I Love Healthy Lettuce Wraps with Beef

• Lower Calorie - There's only 252 calories in these copycat PF Changs lettuce wraps.
• Adequate Protein - Each serving contains 27 grams of protein which is adequate protein for most individuals in a meal and adequate protein will prevent hunger and snacking.
• Higher Fiber - There is 4 grams of fiber in each serving from the veggies. Including fiber in meals makes them more filling and prevents hunger after the meal.
• Lower Carb - You can definitely add complex carbohydrates to this meal or leave it lower carb.
• Gluten Free - All ingredients are gluten free. If you are not gluten free, substitutions are listed below for you.
• Quick To Make - Although this "looks" like a lot of ingredients, the recipe is actually quick and easy to make!

Ingredients For Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps

Here's what you need to make Healthy Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps! Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the blog post for the ingredient measurements, full instructions, nutritional data and to print this recipe.

• Ground Beef, lean 95%
• Carrots, shredded
• Water Chestnuts
• Coconut Aminos
• Garlic
• Chili Paste
• Rice Wine Vinegar
• Sriaracha
• Gluten Free Hoisin Sauce
• Butter Lettuce
• Green Onions

You will also need a large skillet to cook the meal.

How To Make Lettuce Wraps With Ground Beef

Step One - Bring a large skillet to medium heat on the stove.

Step Two - Add the garlic, carrots and meat to the skillet. Cook 7-8 minutes breaking up the meat with a spatula while it cooks until the meat it cooked fully.

Step Three - Add the chili paste, coconut aminos, Sriracha, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar and water chestnuts to the pan. Stir to combine.

Step Four - Simmer another 5 minutes in the pan then add the sliced green onions. Stir and serve with lettuce!

What Lettuce Is Best For Lettuce Wraps

Boston lettuce is best for lettuce wraps, but can be hard to find. Butter lettuce, Boston lettuce, romaine or iceberg can all be used though!

How Do You Cut Lettuce For Lettuce Wraps

Do not cut lettuce for lettuce wraps. Instead break the lettuce off from the head or slice close to the head of the lettuce. Discard the lettuce head then wash the lettuce leaves well and pat dry with a paper towel.

What To Serve With Lettuce Wraps

Lettuce wraps can be made as an appetizer or as a meal. I always enjoy it as a meal! Here are a few ideas of what you can serve with it.

• Edamame
• Rice, white or brown
• Quinoa
• Grilled Vegetables
• Roasted Broccoli

How To Store Lettuce Wraps With Beef

• Refrigerator: Store leftover beef mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 4 days. Store any remaining lettuce separately in a large plastic storage bag lined with paper towels or in a salad spinner. Assemble the lettuce wraps when ready to eat.
• Freezer: You can freeze the beef mixture for lettuce wraps in an airtight container up to 30 days. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before eating.
• Reheating: Reheat the beef filling in a microwave or on the stovetop in a skillet until warmed through.

How To Prevent Lettuce Wraps From Falling Apart

It's best not to overfill the lettuce wraps with the meat mixture. This will prevent the lettuce from breaking. Fill each piece of lettuce with no more than 1/4 cup of the beef mixture and do not let them sit for too long. They will make the lettuce soggy causing it to break.

How Many Calories Are In Lettuce Wraps

Lettuce wraps vary wildly in calories and depend on the type of meat they contain. This healthy version has 252 calories per serving.

Substitutions For Healthy Beef Lettuce Wraps

Here are the substitutions I recommend for this recipe. Remember when you substitute ingredients it does change the nutrition data from the recipe card you see below.

• Ground Beef - I used lean ground beef for this recipe. I don't recommend using a fattier ground beef as the fat from the beef will dilute the sauce and flavor. You can use ground chicken and do chicken lettuce wraps like this recipe. Ground turkey, ground pork, tempeh, tofu or shrimp would work well with this recipe too!
• Garlic - Use 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder instead of minced.
• Coconut Aminos - Coconut aminos are great if you are gluten free or Paleo. If you are not gluten free or Paleo, you can use low sodium soy sauce or Tamari. Do not omit this as it will alter the flavor.
• Water Chestnuts - I bought chopped water chestnuts for this recipe. Can't find chopped chestnuts? No problem! Use sliced water chestnuts and toss them in a food processor and roughly chop them by pulsing it a few times.
• Gluten Free Hoisin Sauce - Regular hoisin sauce works if you are not gluten free. Do not omit this sauce though as it gives the sauce much of its flavor.
• Chili Paste - Do not omit this if possible as it gives the sauce it's delicious flavor.
• Sriracha - This is not required for this recipe, but does give it a spicy kick.
• Green Onions - These are optional. You can omit them or use chopped cilantro instead.
• Additional Veggies - You can easily pack more veggies into this meal by adding diced mushrooms, diced zucchini or finely chopped bell pepper.

About Megan

Megan is a certified nutrition practitioner, author, freelance food photographer and fitness instructor living in Phoenix, Arizona. On her blog, Skinny Fitalicious she shares EASY, gluten free recipes for weight loss. Follow Megan on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for the latest updates.