Beef Wrap Lettuce Fresh (Print Version)

Tender seasoned beef combined with crisp lettuce and fresh veggies for a light, satisfying meal.

# What You Need:

→ Beef

01 - 14 oz lean ground beef
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
06 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
08 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Vegetables & Wrap

09 - 1 large head butter or iceberg lettuce, leaves separated and washed
10 - 1 medium carrot, julienned
11 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
12 - 1 small cucumber, julienned
13 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped

→ Sauce (Optional)

14 - 3 tablespoons Greek yogurt
15 - 1 tablespoon lime juice
16 - 1 teaspoon honey
17 - Pinch of salt

# How to Prepare:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
02 - Incorporate minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, stirring frequently.
03 - Add ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes until browned and fully cooked.
04 - Stir in ground cumin, smoked paprika, optional chili flakes, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 2 more minutes, then remove from heat.
05 - Lay out washed lettuce leaves on a serving platter. Spoon beef mixture into the center of each leaf.
06 - Top each wrap with julienned carrot, sliced bell pepper, julienned cucumber, and chopped cilantro.
07 - In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, lime juice, honey, and a pinch of salt. Drizzle over the wraps or serve on the side.
08 - Fold lettuce leaves around the filling and serve immediately for optimal freshness.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You get that juicy, seasoned beef experience without any bread—it's a meal that feels indulgent but stays light.
  • Everything comes together in under 30 minutes, so you can have dinner on the table before you know it.
  • The crisp lettuce and fresh vegetables give you a textural contrast that makes every bite feel alive.
02 -
  • Don't overcrowd the lettuce leaf with filling—it seems tempting to load it all in, but you'll end up with a torn mess. Use a modest spoonful and let the vegetable toppings add volume instead.
  • The lettuce temperature matters more than you'd think; cold lettuce wraps feel bland and flimsy, but if your beef is still warm when you assemble them, the whole thing comes alive.
03 -
  • Keep your beef seasoning balanced by tasting a small piece once it's cooked through; this way you can adjust salt or spice before you plating everything.
  • If you want the wraps to stay together better, wrap them loosely in parchment paper so people can hold them without tearing the lettuce as they eat.

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