There are just a few constants in life. And the one huge query that we’ll at all times ask ourselves with a mix of pleasure and bewilderment is that this: What’s for lunch? Daily, till the top of time. Although we’re all motivated by different things, I do know that if I’ve received a healthy and delicious lunch lined up, I’m certain to plow via my work quite a bit sooner. That’s the place these lettuce wrap recipes come in useful. I can keep centered and productive with out worrying about speeding to get a meal collectively or ordering takeout between conferences when lunch hour hits.
Lettuce wraps are the underrated lunch you didn’t know you wanted. I understand that the thought of lettuce could not excite you as a lot as let’s say, sourdough bread. However persist with me. Lettuce is the proper clean canvas to let your most important elements take middle stage. It can improve the flavour in no matter filling you select, plus, lettuce wraps are one of many best meal prep concepts round. Simply have your filling able to go, put it collectively, and increase—you’ve received a meal in underneath 5 minutes.
Not solely is lettuce probably the most versatile canvas to your protein, taco fillings, or sautéed veggies, but it surely additionally received’t weigh you down. We’ve rounded up a few of our absolute favourite lettuce wrap recipes that may have your wholesome lunches (and dinners!) coated. From juicy burgers to scrumptious fish “tacos” to some flavorful veggie choices—these are wonderful dishes that may deliver your WFH or in-office lunch to the subsequent degree. Simply bear in mind, in terms of lettuce wraps, there aren’t any guidelines. So get these inventive juices flowing and high your greens with no matter sounds tasty!
Featured picture by Hannah Zahner.
How To Choose the Best Lettuce for Wraps
When it comes to crafting a perfectly crisp bite of balanced goodness, not all lettuce is created equal. You definitely want to use something that won’t get soggy quickly and make a mess. Nothing is worse than trying to corral a handful of lettuce wrap detritus! Opt for lettuces like romaine, iceberg, butter, and even collard greens.
I find that collard greens are the sturdiest of all the aforementioned lettuces, but they are slightly more bitter than you might be used to when eaten raw. Butter lettuce and romaine have a size advantage, the leaves can be easily molded to fit your filling, and they have a nice crisp bite. Iceberg is always a solid pick, but often lean in favor of the others since they have a bit more nutritional value.
Try One of These Options for Your Next Lettuce Wrap:
- Butter Lettuce
- Collard Greens
- Iceberg Lettuce
- Gem Lettuce
- Romaine Lettuce
- Savoy Cabbage
- Bib Lettuce
Vegetarian Lettuce Wrap Recipes
Take heart: Veggie lettuce wrap recipes do not have to be lacking in protein! These flavorful and hearty wraps are so satisfying and filling that you’ll have all the energy and brainpower you need to get through the rest of the day.
Mexican Quinoa Salad Cups With Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing From Minimalist Baker
Why We Love It: These vegan and gluten-free Mexican salad cups come together in 30 minutes and are healthy, flavorful, and yield enough leftovers for an entire week of lunches. They’re loaded with fiber, protein, and healthy fats—the ideal lunch situation.
Hero Ingredient: The cilantro lime dressing adds a cool creaminess minus the dairy, keeping it light and fresh.
Get the recipe for Mexican Quinoa Salad Cups With Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing.
Curried Tofu Wraps From Bon Appétit
Why We Love It: As a tofu-obsessed eater, these wraps actually hit the spot. They’re insanely flavorful, simple to make, nutritious, and a delight to eat. Collard greens are the proper grain-free choose for making certain these keep wrapped up tight.
Hero Ingredient: Retailer-bought curry paste retains this recipe stuffed with advanced and thrilling taste with out requiring extra labor. Simply make sure to check the spice ranges earlier than you utilizing since they will range.
Get the recipe for Curried Tofu Wraps.
PHOTO: Processed with VSCO with m6 preset
Honey Sriracha Tempeh Spring Rolls
Why We Love It: The tempeh will get marinated in a sriracha-based sauce, in order that creamy avocado, candy mango, and refreshing cucumber stability all the pieces out. Plus, this recipe makes use of rice to make issues somewhat extra substantial than your typical lettuce wrap recipes. You’ll wish to maintain these in your weekly lunch rotation.
Hero Ingredient: Don’t knock tempeh till you attempt it. The whole lot it touches turns to gold—this recipe included.
Get the recipe for Honey Sriracha Tempeh Spring Rolls.
Thai Candy Potato and Cauliflower Lettuce Wraps From Cupful of Kale
Why We Love It: Chock stuffed with roasted candy potato, cauliflower, and crumbled tofu and wearing a creamy peanut sauce, that is positively certainly one of my favourite veggie lettuce wrap recipes. They’re tasty, contemporary, and loaded with healthful elements to go away you feeling full for hours.
Hero Ingredient: The sauce can’t be topped.
Get the recipe for Thai Sweet Potato and Cauliflower Lettuce Wraps.
Avocado Chickpea Salad Wraps by The First Mess
Why We Love It: This avocado chickpea salad is filled with protein and wholesome fat, making it a great lunchtime selection while you’re craving one thing extra substantial. It’s mainly the identical idea as egg salad, so watch out to not smoosh these chickpeas an excessive amount of! You’ll wish to maintain them larger for some texture.
Hero Ingredient: Capers sneak within the combine and convey a salty, briny be aware to every scrumptious chew.
Get the recipe for Avocado Chickpea Salad Wraps.
Hen Lettuce Wrap Recipes
Hen is the proper go-to while you’re craving animal protein however nonetheless wish to maintain your meal pretty gentle. It’s a impartial taste that you may simply add to any of our veggie choices with out overpowering different flavors. Craving Asian, Mexican, or burger vibes? These hen lettuce wrap recipes have all of it.
Hen Burger Lettuce Wraps
Why We Love It: It’s mainly the more healthy model of your favourite burger, so what’s to not love? Lean floor hen, bibb lettuce, and Asian-inspired herbs and spices kick all of it up a notch and add a burst of freshness.
Hero Ingredient: Curry powder provides these wraps an Asian-inspired aptitude that may’t be beat.
Get the recipe for Chicken Burger Lettuce Wraps.
Thai Basil Hen Lettuce Cups From The Outlined Dish
Why We Love It: These Thai Basil Hen Lettuce Cups couldn’t be simpler to throw collectively, are stuffed with contemporary, crisp, and engaging flavors, and are Whole30-compliant.
Hero Ingredient: You should use candy basil, however Thai basil provides your lettuce cups one thing somewhat additional particular.
Get the recipe for Thai Basil Chicken Lettuce Cups.
Chipotle Hen Lettuce Wraps From What’s Gaby Cooking
Why We Love It: This lettuce wrap recipe is enjoyable to eat, simple to throw collectively, and ultra-healthy. It’s gentle, brilliant, flavorful, and (due to chipotles in adobo) somewhat smoky. Don’t be postpone by the marinade time, you possibly can meal prep them prematurely or throw them collectively within the morning in order that they’re able to go when lunch rolls round.
Hero Ingredient: The mango avocado slaw is the sudden twist that makes these hen lettuce wraps next-level good.
Get the recipe for Chipotle Chicken Lettuce Wraps.
Simple Rotisserie Hen Lettuce Cups With Peanut Sauce From The Outlined Dish
Why We Love It: There are two issues that stand out to me most on this recipe: the benefit of utilizing rotisserie hen and the selection of radicchio. Relating to the hen, you should use store-bought (yay!) rotisserie hen to win the simple meal prep sport. Moreover, radicchio is sturdy sufficient to carry as many toppings as you fancy and brings a barely bitter taste that actually makes this dish shine.
Hero Ingredient: The peanut sauce is completely balanced and packs a pleasant distinction to the radicchio.
Get the recipe for Easy Rotisserie Chicken Lettuce Cups With Peanut Sauce.
Mediterranean Hen Salad Lettuce Wraps
Why We Love It: Not solely is the Mediterranean Eating regimen the healthiest diet in the world, however these lettuce wraps are all-around delectable. They’re stuffed with grilled hen, olives, capers, cucumber, and extra to make a filling meal any time of day.
Hero Ingredient: You simply can’t beat these salty capers.
Get the recipe for Mediterranean Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps.
Hoisin Hen Cabbage Tacos
Why We Love It: These Hoisin Hen Cabbage Tacos are so tasty you’ll not solely be including them to your lunch rotation, however wish to whip them up to your subsequent banquet as nicely. Savory, stuffed with taste, and oh-so-tasty (and good for you, too!).
Hero Ingredient: Camille is a fan of the savoy cabbage leaves on this recipe—they maintain collectively method higher than iceberg so you possibly can stuff your tacos stuffed with filling and never fear about them falling aside on you. Her trick is to blanch the leaves earlier than serving so it’s simpler to chew and fewer bitter.
Get the recipe for Hoisin Chicken Cabbage Tacos.
Greek Goddess Hen Lettuce Wraps From Half-Baked Harvest
Why We Love It: The hen is spiced completely on this fantastically colourful dish. It’s topped with a scrumptious pistachio basil goddess sauce that provides a little bit of zest and brightness.
Hero Ingredient: Pita bread! For those who’re trying so as to add some carbs to your meal, pita bread is the proper “bowl” to your lettuce wraps and makes it even simpler to stuff them to the brim with out falling aside.
Get the recipe for Greek Goddess Chicken Lettuce Wraps.
Seafood Lettuce Wrap Recipes
One other nice lean protein concept to your upcoming lettuce wrap is to go along with some shrimp or fish. It’s an ideal mid-day protein that fills you up, is bursting with vitamins, and tastes like a celebration. Get your fill of omega-3 fatty acids and nutritional vitamins like D, B2, calcium, and minerals like iron, zinc, iodine, magnesium, and potassium. You possibly can’t beat that!
Sambal Shrimp Lettuce Wraps From Bon Appétit
Why We Love It: For those who’re a shrimp lover, then you definitely received’t wish to miss out on these insanely flavorful lettuce wraps. You may get the shrimp already frozen and sans tails, or purchase them contemporary with tails on in the event you want.
Hero Ingredient: Sizzling chili paste provides the shrimp a severe taste explosion.
Get the recipe for Sambal Shrimp Lettuce Wraps.
Salmon Lettuce Wraps With Cucumber, Jicama, and Ginger From Merely Recipes
Why We Love It: Craving one thing gentle and funky? Take a look at these Salmon Lettuce Wraps. You should use leftover salmon from one other dish, or make it contemporary with a salt and ginger rub after which poach it in lemon-infused salted water. High it with jicama, cucumber, cilantro, onion, ginger, lime, and mint with some avocado slices. Yum!
Hero Ingredient: It was a toss-up between the jicama and ginger, however finally, the jicama reigns supreme. Crisp, earthy, scrumptious, and insanely refreshing.
Get the recipe for Salmon Lettuce Wraps With Cucumber, Jicama, and Ginger.
Fish Tacos With Salsa Verde in Lettuce Wraps From Cooks with Cocktails
Why We Love It: Few issues beat a fish taco, whether or not you’re utilizing Mahi Mahi, halibut, cod, or your fish of selection. It’s nice each grilled or pan-fried and doesn’t get too mushy or crumbly. It’s really easy to make and but looks like a celebratory meal. Who doesn’t need that form of pick-me-up in the midst of a workday?
Hero Ingredient: The salsa verde sauce is irresistible.
Get the recipe for Fish Tacos With Salsa Verde in Lettuce Wraps.
Pork and Beef Lettuce Wrap Recipes
Want a extra substantial protein? These pork and beef lettuce wraps fulfill. They’re flavorful, wholesome, hearty, and insanely satisfying. Get your fill with these completely can’t-miss wraps.
Lemongrass Pork Patties With Vietnamese Dipping Sauce From Epicurious
Why We Love It: It’s received all of the Bánh mì taste with all the veggies included. Consider it as a hearty spring roll. You possibly can pre-make these patties and freeze them so they’re able to go on demand or make them contemporary and revel in them for just a few consecutive meals. Both method, you’re assured to have a beautiful lunch.
Hero Ingredient: The funky, salty, bitter, candy dipping sauce.
Get the recipe for Lemongrass Pork Patties With Vietnamese Dipping Sauce.
Thai Steak Lettuce Cups From Trendy Correct
Why We Love It: Skirt steak is marinated in all types of acidic goodness and seared to perfection to offer these lettuce cups a pleasant meaty aspect. Mixed with crisp veggies and butter lettuce and also you’ve received the proper weekday lunch.
Hero Ingredient: High with a handful of cilantro or mint to take issues to the subsequent degree.
Get the recipe for Thai Steak Lettuce Cups.
Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps From Iowa Woman Eats
Why We Love It: These gluten-free lettuce wraps come collectively in simply quarter-hour and are made with floor beef and kitchen staples you in all probability have already got stocked in your pantry and fridge. The scrumptious bulgogi flavors make an ideal savory and candy combo that’s virtually too good to be true.
Hero Ingredient: Tamari! The style is simply too good.
Get the recipe for Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps.
BLT Lettuce Wraps With Avocado Ranch From How Sweet Eats
Why We Love It: The combo of bacon, lettuce, and tomatoes is a trifecta of fresh and hearty flavor. There’s something about it that’s nostalgic, indulgent, and satisfying all at once. These lettuce wraps bring all of that and more to the table with crispy bacon, juicy cherry tomatoes, and an avocado ranch you’ll want to smear on everything in sight.
Hero Ingredient: As I said, that avocado ranch is almost dangerously good.
Get the recipe for BLT Lettuce Wraps With Avocado Ranch.
Honey Beef Lettuce Wraps From La Creme de la Crumb
Why We Love It: These wraps couldn’t be simpler to make and take solely 20 minutes. They’re loaded with taste and simply customizable relying in your private preferences. The bottom makes use of beef, mushrooms, carrots, and water chestnuts which can be sautéed in a skillet with a little bit of sesame oil.
Hero Ingredient: Water chestnuts are at all times an sudden delight.
Get the recipe for Honey Beef Lettuce Wraps.
This submit was initially printed on April 21, 2020, and has since been up to date.
