Beef and Cashew Lettuce Cups (Print View)

Crisp lettuce cups filled with seasoned beef and crunchy cashews in Asian sauces, ready in 30 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 1.1 lb lean ground beef

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium carrot, peeled and grated
03 - 1 small red bell pepper, finely diced
04 - 2 spring onions, finely sliced
05 - 1 clove garlic, minced
06 - 1 head butter or iceberg lettuce, leaves separated, washed, and dried

→ Nuts

07 - 1/2 cup unsalted cashews, roughly chopped

→ Sauces & Condiments

08 - 2 tbsp soy sauce
09 - 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
10 - 1 tbsp oyster sauce
11 - 1 tsp sesame oil
12 - 1 tsp freshly grated ginger
13 - 1 tsp chili sauce (optional, for heat)

→ Garnishes

14 - Fresh coriander (cilantro) leaves
15 - Lime wedges

# How To Make It:

01 - Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until browned and cooked through, about 5–6 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
02 - Add the garlic and ginger to the pan; stir-fry for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Stir in the carrot, bell pepper, and half of the spring onions. Cook for 2–3 minutes until just softened.
04 - Add the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and chili sauce (if using). Mix well and cook for another 2 minutes.
05 - Stir in the cashews and cook for 1 minute, just to warm them through.
06 - Remove from heat. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. To serve, spoon the beef mixture into the lettuce leaves. Top with remaining spring onions and fresh coriander. Serve with lime wedges on the side.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The combination of hot beef filling and cold crisp lettuce is honestly addictive
  • You get all the satisfaction of a stir-fry but without needing rice or noodles
  • Perfect for feeding a crowd because everyone can customize their own cups
02 -
  • Drain the beef fat after browning if you want a lighter dish, but leave a tablespoon for flavor
  • Butter lettuce leaves are more fragile, so separate them carefully and pat them completely dry
  • The filling can be made ahead and kept warm, but lettuce cups must be assembled right before serving
03 -
  • Chop your cashews just before adding them so they stay fresh and do not absorb moisture from the air
  • If your beef mixture seems too wet, cook it for an extra minute uncovered to let some liquid evaporate

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