Spicy Pork Lettuce Wraps

  • Level: Easy
  • Yield: 4 to 6 servings
  • Total: 50 min
  • Active: 45 min
These lettuce cups filled with spicy ground pork take inspiration from Larb. Found in several Southeast Asian countries, Larb usually features seasoned ground meat served with sticky rice or lettuce cups, topped with fresh vegetables and herbs. Toasted rice powder is typically mixed into the seasoning for some crunch and to help thicken the dressing. Katie opts for ground peanuts instead to achieve a similar texture and nutty flavor. These can also be made with ground chicken, duck, turkey, or crumbled tofu in place of the ground pork. Fresh and flavorful, these lettuce cups are super easy to make at home any night of the week.
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Ingredients

Scallion and Carrot Relish:

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (from about 1/2-inch piece)

1 teaspoon sesame oil

1 medium carrot, grated or julienned

1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced

Juice of 1 lime

Pork:

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 pound ground pork

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

4 cloves garlic, minced

One 1 1/2-inch piece ginger, peeled and finely grated (about 1 tablespoon)

1 shallot, minced

2 tablespoons hoisin sauce

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 head Bibb, butter or iceberg lettuce, separated into leaves

Fresh cilantro leaves, for serving

Fresh mint leaves, for serving

1/2 cup roasted salted peanuts, chopped

Sriracha, for serving

Directions

  1. For the scallion and carrot relish: Toss the soy sauce, ginger, sesame oil, carrots, scallions and lime juice in a medium bowl. Set aside in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
  2. For the pork: Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the vegetable oil, and once hot, the pork. Cook the pork, breaking it up with the back of your spoon until it browns and is no longer pink, 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in the red pepper flakes, salt, garlic, ginger and shallots. Cook until they are aromatic and incorporated, another minute. Add the hoisin and stir to combine, then add the soy sauce. Cook until the pork is sticky and glazed, about 3 minutes. Transfer the pork to a serving bowl.
  3. Serve the pork with the lettuce leaves, some scallion and carrot relish, cilantro leaves, mint leaves, peanuts and sriracha, letting everyone build their own wraps with all the fixings.

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JMDelV

Pretty yum! Super easy and cheap to make. The whole family loved!

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