Name: Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 1/3 cup hoisin sauce (we used gluten-free brand San-J); 2 tablespoons rice vinegar; 1 tablespoons toasted sesame oil; 1 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce (for gluten free use coconut aminos or a gf tamari); 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated; 1-2 teaspoons chili paste (sambal oelek, sriracha, gochujang paste); 1/4 teaspoon white pepper; 1/4 teaspoon 5-spice (optional); 1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional- it helps the sauce stick and coat the meat); 2 teaspoons avocado oil; 1 small onion, diced; 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, minced; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 1 pound ground chicken, ground turkey, ground pork, ground beef, or a vegan substitute like Beyond Beef or Impossible Beef; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 cup shiitake mushrooms, cut small (other mushrooms will work too); 1 bell pepper, cut into small chunks; 1 cup water chestnuts, chopped small; 1 rib celery, diced; 1 head butter lettuce or large romaine lettuce, little gem lettuce, red or green leaf lettuce

Fresh, light, and wonderfully flavorful, these Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps are a quick and healthy dinner, ready in 30 minutes. Savory ground chicken, seasoned with bold Asian flavors, is tucked into lettuce cups for a light, low-carb meal everyone loves. Vegan-adaptable.

three Asian lettuce wraps on plate with saucy meat filling topped with fresh cilantro, green onions, and sesame seeds.

These lettuce wraps are full of flavor - every time we have these, I’m like, why aren’t we eating them every night? They're easy to prepare, fresh, and have the perfect balance of crunch and tenderness. So, so good! The savory filling tucked into crisp lettuce cups feels light yet completely satisfying.

I love how quickly they come together, making them perfect for busy weeknights but still special enough to serve to friends. Everyone can build their own at the table, which somehow makes dinner a little more fun. It's one of those meals that disappears fast and always leaves us wanting more. They make a great appetizer; the filling can be made ahead and warmed just before serving.

Completely adaptable, we made these with ground chicken or turkey, but you can use the ground meat you prefer. We add crunchy veggies at the end of cooking to ensure they give texture.

Why you’ll love this Asian Lettuce Wraps recipe!

Incredible flavor and texture. Asian Lettuce Wraps are fresh and savory, crunchy and tender, made with a hoisin-based sauce and hearty ground meat.

Easy to make and great for entertaining. They come together in 30 minutes, making them perfect for busy weeknights. Or, prep the filling ahead and serve as an appetizer!

Adaptable. Use any ground meat you prefer, including a plant-based meat for vegans or vegetarians.

Lettuce Wraps Ingredients

Lettuce: Use butter lettuce, large romaine lettuce, little gem lettuce, or red or green leaf lettuce.
Ground meat: Use ground turkey, ground chicken, ground pork, ground beef, or a vegan substitute like Beyond Beef or Impossible Beef.
Onion, fresh ginger, and garlic cloves: Add savory, aromatic depth to the meat filling.
Veggies: Shiitake mushrooms (or other mushrooms), bell pepper, water chestnuts, and celery.
Garnishes: Scallions, sesame seeds, and fresh cilantro.

lettuce wrap Sauce Ingredients

Hoisin sauce: If needed, use a gluten-free brand like San-J.
Rice vinegar: Adds acidity to balance the flavors.
Toasted sesame oil and low-sodium soy sauce: For depth. Use a gluten-free soy sauce alternative if needed, like coconut aminos or tamari.
Fresh ginger: Grated fresh ginger adds a fragrant bite.
Chili paste: Use sambal oelek, sriracha, or gochujang paste to add heat.
White pepper and 5-spice: For aroma and complexity. Five-spice is optional, but it really elevates!
Cornstarch: Optional, but helps the sauce stick to and coat the meat.

How to Make Chicken Lettuce Wraps

1. Whisk together the sauce. Add the sauce ingredients to a small bowl and whisk.

small bowl of Asian sauce with tiny whisk next to plates of veggies.

skillet with sautéed onions and wood utensil.

2. Sauté aromatics and brown the meat. Bring a large skillet or wok to medium heat, add oil, and sauté onion, ginger, and garlic for a few minutes, until softened and fragrant. Add the meat and salt, using your spatula to break it up. Sauté until just cooked through and no longer pink.

pan with ground turkey and sautéed onions with spatula, to make filling for Asian lettuce cups.

sauté pan with ground meat and veggie filling for Asian lettuce wraps, with spatula.

3. Add the vegetables and sauce. Add the shiitake mushrooms, stirring for a couple of minutes, then add the peppers, water chestnuts, celery, and sauce. Bring the sauce to a bubble, then turn off the heat. Taste and adjust for heat.

4. Cool the filling. Transfer the filling to a dish and let cool while prepping the lettuce and garnishes.

5. Assemble and serve. Clean and separate the lettuce leaves. Double up the lettuce leaves to create a sturdier cup. Spoon some filling into each cup, then garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, and cilantro.

Asian lettuce cup with ground turkey and veggie filling with sauce, green onions, and cilantro.

Chef’s Tips

Add cornstarch to the sauce. This helps the sauce coat the meat and stick to it. It also helps bind the sauce and thicken it.
Cool the filling. Adding the hot filling to the lettuce cups right away will wilt the lettuce. For the best texture, let the filling cool in a separate dish before assembling.
Double up the lettuce leaves. This prevents the lettuce from tearing. You’ll have sturdier cups with more of a delicious crunch!
Adjust for various diets. Gluten-free hoisin and gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos make a great substitute for gluten-free wraps. Use a plant-based meat alternative, or crumbled tofu or tempeh, for vegan wraps!
Prep the filling ahead of time. These wraps are meal-prep-friendly! Cook the meat filling, let it cool, and store it for a day or two ahead of serving. Gently reheat and assemble when ready to serve.

Serving Suggestions

Serve the Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, and fresh cilantro leaves. For extra crunch, add some crispy shallots, or for extra heat, chili garlic sauce, yum yum sauce, or chili crisp. For extra richness, add a drizzle of our Thai peanut dressing!

Add a side of our Asian Cucumber Salad for something tangy and refreshing that balances the umami-rich filling of the lettuce wraps. A side of veggie fried rice, Thai noodle salad, or spicy cold noodles pairs well, too!

Storage

Store leftover filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Do not store the assembled lettuce wraps. Reheat the filling on the stovetop. For best results, use fresh lettuce leaves when reassembling leftovers.

plate of three Asian lettuce wraps with ground meat and veggie filling with green onions, sesame seeds, and fresh cilantro.

More Favorite Lettuce Wraps

We have a lot of lettuce wraps on the blog! Here are a few more.

Thai Tofu Larb

Teriyaki Mushroom Lettuce Wraps

Vietnamese Shrimp Lettuce Wraps

Grilled Lamb Kofta Wraps

Vietnamese Chicken Lettuce Wraps (vegan-adapable!)

Crab Louie Lettuce Wraps

⭐️ After you try this Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps recipe, let us know how it turns out in the comments below. Your review will help other readers, too! Sign up here to join our community and receive our latest recipes and weekly newsletter! xoxo Tonia