What is the best lettuce for lettuce wraps?

Crispy iceberg is light and refreshing (and we love it for a wedge salad), but we opted more heartier lettuces for these recipes, like romaine and butterhead lettuce . Smoother butterhead lettuce leaves are ideal for wrapping as they're super flexible and wide enough wrap around and keep all the toppings inside.

What are PF Chang's lettuce wraps made of?

Juicy chicken, shiitake mushrooms, and water chestnuts combined in a killer Chinese sauce, nestled in a lettuce leaf and garnished with fried rice noodles .

What kind of lettuce is in Korean lettuce wraps?

You can use any lettuce you like for these wraps, but I'd recommend crispier lettuce leaves, such as romaine , as they hold together better. Tip: If you want to make these wraps more substantial, you can add a spoonful of cooked rice to each wrap.

How do you crisp lettuce for lettuce wraps?

Fill a large bowl with very hot tap water (around 120°F) and plunge your wilted greens. Let them soak for 10–30 minutes, then drain. Wrap the leaves in a damp towel and chill before using (or if you need them immediately, cool them down in ice water). They'll be perkier than a Pomeranian with a plushie.

Why are PF Changs lettuce wraps so high in carbs?

Excess amounts of sugar are why lettuce wraps are high in carbs at restaurants. So, to ensure this recipe was healthier than other lettuce wraps recipes (including P.F. Chang's), I skipped the added sugar altogether. This recipe features a richly-flavored sauce that rivals the original, crunch, and a hint of spice.

Are lettuce wraps healthier than bread?

Lettuce wraps are much lower in calories than bread , and they are very fresh. Corn Tortillas → Corn tortillas tend to be cleaner than regular bread. You can even use a tortilla to replace a pizza crust which is much lighter option.

Is eating lettuce wraps healthy?

Looking for a low-carb appetizer or a healthy, light meal? Try a lettuce wrap. Lettuce wraps are like a handheld salad and packed with protein . Whether you crave chicken lettuce wraps or a healthy Asian-inspired lettuce wrap recipe, there's a quick and delicious recipe ahead for you.

What is the best lettuce to replace wraps?

Iceberg lettuce offers a crisp texture and sturdy leaves, suitable for both wraps and sandwiches. Romaine lettuce is another popular choice; its long leaves and crunchy texture are perfect for sandwiches and wraps.

Why do my wraps always fall apart?

Try to avoid too many wet ingredients, such as an excess of dressing or sauce . If possible, you want to use fewer wet ingredients because moisture can eventually make your wrap soggy and fall apart. If you're not eating it right away, wrap it in foil. Foil is strong enough to help the wrap hold its shape.

How to stop wraps from going soggy in the fridge?

For plastic bag storage, simply place the wrap in a resealable plastic bag and press out as much air as possible before sealing . Foil wrap storage involves wrapping the wrap tightly in aluminum foil to prevent air and moisture from getting in.

What are the best leaves for wraps?

Kale or collards make super stand-ins for tortillas while Iceberg or butter lettuce leaves make great taco shells or “cups” for Asian-style fillings. Watch “Kitchen Tricks: How to Use Leaves as Wraps” to learn how to roll your own from organic foods chef Ani Phyo.

What kind of lettuce is best for lettuce sandwich?

What Kind of Lettuce For Perfect Lettuce Wrap Sandwiches? Iceberg lettuce ! Maybe not the most nutritious, but we've tried this with romaine lettuce, butter lettuce, and more, and nothing beats the crunch and ease of wrapping like the iceberg lettuce.

Which lettuce is the best lettuce?

While all lettuce is going to provide you with healthy vitamins and minerals, romaine lettuce is the most nutrient-dense, says registered dietitian Danielle Crumble Smith.

Asian Lettuce Wraps (Easy and Yummy Recipe!)

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Say hello to these yummy and easy Asian Lettuce Wraps!

Asian Lettuce Wraps are fun appetizers where flavorful ground pork (or ground chicken) is wrapped around fresh, crunchy leafy greens.

They are low-carb, delicious, and can be eaten as a light main course or lunch as well.

Asian Lettuce Wraps (Easy and Yummy Recipe!) - Joyous Apron (1)

Love Asian food? Don’t forget to also check out some of my other favorites: Beef Bulgogi (Korean BBQ Beef), Tom Yum Fried Noodles, General Tso Shrimp and Miso Noodle Soup.

Table of Contents

Easy and Healthy Lettuce Wraps

Spring is around the corner, I can feel it. Living in Austin, Texas, winter isn’t really a thing. I say that because I used to live in Ohio. Even when I lived in Tennessee I can claim winter as a thing. But Austin, Texas? Winter is really not a thing. 😉

But even though winter may not be a real thing, I am still glad that the “colder” weather is going bye-bye, and Spring is showing its signs. I know that because we spent this past weekend mowing the grass and removing weeds from our lawn that are springing everywhere.

After those three long hours cleaning up our yard, I am proclaiming that, at least for me, SPRING IS HERE.

I was looking back at old posts of mine, and realized I felt the exact same way around this time last year. I am starting to crave for Spring-like food. Easy, fresh, lighter, delicious Spring-like food.

This is coming from the girl who spent the first nineteen years of her life in a tropical country, where spring, summer, autumn, AND winter is not a thing. Well, maybe summer is in fact a thing. Summer ALL YEAR LONG is the thing.

But back then, I didn’t even know there was such thing as Spring-like food. All foods – soups, stews, salads, greens, were pretty much eaten all year round in hot, humid 85-100 degree whether.

Funny how we start associating foods to the seasons when there is a seasonal change. It does make the food-making and food-eating process more fun, and I do love the anticipating a new set of foods.

All that to say, I have totally adapted to the seasonal food scene, and cannot wait for Spring food.

I appreciate you handing around to hear my musings about the weather and seasonal foods and me mowing my lawn. 🙂

Ingredients

My first exposure to Asian Lettuce Wraps is at PF Chang’s. It is a popular menu item at the famous Chinese American chain that can be found all over the United States.

This is not a true copycat of the PF Chang’s version, because it has been a loooong time since I have had their lettuce wraps. I do think this tastes slightly different.

But dare I say this? I think it is better. I like the sweet, savory umami flavor that this recipe produces. This recipes calls for lean ground pork, but feel free to use ground chicken or ground turkey if you prefer.

I do think ground pork produces a richer, deeper flavor than chicken and turkey, but the sauce is so flavorful you cannot go wrong with whichever protein you use.

In the ground pork filling, we are also adding shiitake mushrooms and water chestnuts to add to the texture and flavors. I used canned water chestnuts, and drained all the liquid because dicing up the water chestnuts.

If you bought dried shiitake mushrooms, you will have to soak them in warm water for 10-15 minutes until they become soft.

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And of course the sauce. The sauce is a thicker sauce that clings to the meats, mushrooms and water chestnuts. Our goal is to not produce runny sauce. That is why cornstarch is involved to thicken it.

Along with cornstarch, it calls for fairly easily-found ingredients. You can find them in the Asian aisle in most grocery stores. They are soy sauce, oyster (flavored) sauce, rice wine, sesame oil, sugar, ginger powder, garlic, onions, water and dark soy sauce (optional).

Even if you don’t like oyster (I don’t), don’t be afraid of oyster (flavored) sauce. It is very common in many Asian/Chinese dishes – in fact you most likely had it if you had Chinese food!

Dark soy sauce is optional if you cannot find it. It adds an extra depth in flavor, and also darkens the color of the meat, but if you cannot find it, it is totally okay to omit. My guess is this is also most likely the hardest ingredient to find in a regular store.

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How to make Asian Lettuce Wraps

In addition to the ingredients mentioned, you will need a large skillet. I typically like using non-stick skillets because they are easier to handle.

Before sautéing the ingredients, I like to combine all the ingredients for the sauce in a bowl. This way the cornstarch is fully dissolved and all the sauce ingredients are combined well before adding it to the skillet.

Then let the sautéing begin! It really is as simple as that, and the sautéing process goes very quickly as well. Once that is done, add the filling to the lettuce. I like buying either butter lettuce or romaine for this.

Last and certainly not least, garnish with green onions. Feel free to add some red pepper flakes if you like a little kick to your Asian Lettuce Wraps.

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How to store leftovers

If there are leftovers, store the meat filling separately from the lettuce in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Storing them separately will prevent lettuce from becoming soggy. These keep very well as leftovers!

More Asian/ Asian-inspired Recipes

Garlic Edamame
Malaysian Curry Puff
Slow Cooker Asian Shredded Pork
Asian Salmond Salad with Ginger Soy Dressing
Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry
Kung Pao Shrimp
Asian Peanut Chicken Salad
Simple Thai Noodle Bowl
Baked Cream Cheese Wontons
Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
Chinese BBQ Pork and Bok Choy Rice Bowl
Sticky and Crispy Asian Chicken Wings (by Kitchen Sanctuary!)

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