Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps
Some nights call for comfort food. Other nights call for something fresh, fun, and just a little bit exciting without turning your kitchen into a disaster zone. That’s exactly what these Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps are.
It’s bold, savory, slightly sweet, and just spicy enough to keep things interesting. Best part? Everything comes together in about 30 minutes, and everyone gets to build their own wraps which, let’s be honest, instantly makes dinner more fun.
If you’ve ever had one of those evenings where half the family wants something light, the other half wants something hearty, and you’re trying to keep the peace… this recipe has your back. It’s flexible, forgiving, and totally customizable.
Why We Love Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps
This version uses ground beef, which makes it budget-friendly and super quick to cook. The sauce is a simple mix of pantry staples, and if you’re feeding kids or spice-sensitive eaters, don’t worry you can easily adjust the heat without losing the flavor.
Korean Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Here’s What You’ll Need
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Cook the Beef
Heat the sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s hot, add the ground beef and break it up with a spoon as it cooks. Let it brown for about 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
You’re looking for fully cooked beef with a little bit of caramelization that’s where the flavor starts building.
2. Add the Aromatics
Stir in the minced garlic, diced onion, and ginger. Cook for another 2–3 minutes, just until the onions soften and everything smells amazing.
3. Season the Beef
Add the soy sauce, gochujang, brown sugar (or honey), and rice vinegar. Stir well so every bit of beef gets coated in that glossy, flavorful sauce.
Let it cook for another 3–5 minutes, allowing everything to come together. Remove from heat and sprinkle sesame seeds over the top.
4. Assemble the Wraps
Lay out the lettuce leaves on a large platter. Start with a spoonful of chopped kimchi in each leaf, followed by the seasoned beef. Add cucumber, carrot, and green onions.
5. Serve and Enjoy
Sprinkle with more sesame seeds if you want, then serve immediately. Fold the lettuce like a taco and enjoy every bite.
Make It Party-Perfect
These lettuce wraps are made for sharing. If you’re serving them at a get-together, set everything up buffet-style:
- A big skillet or bowl of warm beef
- A platter of lettuce leaves
- Small bowls for kimchi, veggies, and sauces
Guests can build their own wraps, which keeps things relaxed and interactive. It’s one of those setups that looks impressive but takes very little effort.
Easy Customizations
One of the reasons this recipe works so well is how flexible it is.
Make it milder:
Use less gochujang or serve it on the side so everyone controls their own spice level.
Make it spicier:
Add an extra spoon of gochujang or a drizzle of chili oil right before serving.
Swap the protein:
Ground turkey or chicken works beautifully if you want something lighter.
Add more crunch:
Shredded cabbage, radishes, or bean sprouts are great additions.
Low-carb friendly:
These are naturally low in carbs thanks to the lettuce wraps no extra changes needed.
Prep Ahead Tips
If you’re planning ahead (or just trying to make life easier), here’s what you can do in advance:
- Chop all veggies up to 24 hours ahead
- Cook the beef mixture earlier in the day and reheat before serving
- Wash and dry lettuce leaves ahead of time and store them in the fridge
This makes the actual meal or party setup incredibly smooth.
If you try this recipe, don’t be surprised if it gets requested again and again. That’s usually how it goes around here and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way
View More Beef Recipes
Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1/2 onion finely diced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger minced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
- 1 tbsp gochujang Korean chili paste
- 1 tbsp brown sugar or honey
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 cup kimchi chopped
- 1 cucumber julienned
- 1 large carrot julienned
- 2 green onions thinly sliced
- Butter lettuce or Bibb lettuce leaves for wraps
- Additional sesame seeds for garnish
- Extra gochujang or ssamjang for serving
Instructions
- Heat the sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s hot, add the ground beef and break it up with a spoon as it cooks. Let it brown for about 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally.You’re looking for fully cooked beef with a little bit of caramelization that’s where the flavor starts building.
- Stir in the minced garlic, diced onion, and ginger. Cook for another 2–3 minutes, just until the onions soften and everything smells amazing.This step makes a big difference. Taking a couple extra minutes here adds depth and richness to the whole dish.
- Add the soy sauce, gochujang, brown sugar (or honey), and rice vinegar. Stir well so every bit of beef gets coated in that glossy, flavorful sauce.
- Let it cook for another 3–5 minutes, allowing everything to come together. Remove from heat and sprinkle sesame seeds over the top.
- Lay out the lettuce leaves on a large platter. Start with a spoonful of chopped kimchi in each leaf, followed by the seasoned beef. Add cucumber, carrot, and green onions.
- Finish with an extra dollop of gochujang or ssamjang if you like things a little spicy.
- Sprinkle with more sesame seeds if you want, then serve immediately. Fold the lettuce like a taco and enjoy every bite.
