Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- 1 can (8 ounces) water chestnuts, drained and chopped
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 head butter lettuce or iceberg lettuce, leaves separated
- Optional: crushed peanuts or sesame seeds for garnish
Substitution tips: You can swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version. For a vegetarian twist, consider using firm tofu or tempeh.
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Use a wooden spoon to break up the meat into small pieces as it cooks.
- Drain any excess fat and return the skillet to the heat. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and grated ginger to the skillet. Stir well to combine and let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes until the flavors meld together.
- Mix in the chopped water chestnuts and green onions. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
- Remove the skillet from heat. To serve, spoon several tablespoons of the beef mixture into the center of a lettuce leaf, then wrap and roll to enclose the filling.
As you cook, don’t be afraid to follow your senses, just like my abuela taught me. The aroma is your best guide!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International