Crispy Pork and Veggie Lettuce Cups

These Crispy Pork and Veggie Lettuce Wraps are simple and flavorful. Ginger and garlic infused ground pork is cooked until caramelized and tossed with crunchy vegetables, peanuts and cilantro and a simple sweet and sour sauce. Tuck it all into crisp lettuce leaves for a light and healthy meal! This recipe serves 4 (about 3 wraps per person).

Spring is almost here! I’m starting to hear birds chirping, the snow is starting to melt {unless you’re one of the unlucky ones who got hit with all that snow… yeah, that just missed us!} and when I stepped outside the other day I could even smell it in the air! More importantly it’s almost that time of year we can pull off those thick wool socks and slip on the ballet flats and I hear Target has some really cute ones in stores NOW!

Which leads me to my point… because believe it or not I do have one, so here it is… I’m on a mission to start eating a little better. True story! I’m starting with more water, fruits and veggies and less gummy bears. Who knows maybe I’ll go for a walk or two… that is after I head to Target and grab me a pair of flats, naturally.

Who doesn’t love lettuce wraps?

So as you can clearly see, I’m starting to get that itch for spring and it all started with these lettuce cups.  They’re packed with goods like fresh ginger, garlic, lime and a truck load of veggies, and might I add that these are super easy to make. You could definitely have them for lunch but they also make a light and healthy dinner too which ultimately means that bowl of ice cream with double sprinkles is totally happening. Wait didn’t I say something about eating better? Shoot I must’ve forgot… again.

What I love most about these wraps or cups, whatever… is all the fresh veg. I literally felt my waistline shrink as I was popping my 4th cup into my mouth. Guilt-free WHAT!?

To Make These Crispy Pork and Veggie Lettuce Wraps Pork and Veggie Lettuce Wraps You Will Need:

• ginger (fresh)
• garlic (fresh)
• ground pork
• oil
• persian cucumbers
• red bell pepper
• carrots
• dry roasted peanuts – I like to use lightly salted peanuts for this.

for the sauce:

• lime juice
• fish sauce
• honey
• toasted sesame oil

for serving:

• lettuce leaves – Use bibb, boston, iceberg or romaine.
• green onions
• toasted sesame seeds
• sriracha

Prep the Pork:

In a bowl, add 1 pound of ground pork, 1 tablespoon grated ginger and garlic (or use store-bought paste).

Mix well, using a spatula or by hand, until combined. Let the meat sit and soak in all those flavors while you prep the vegetables.

Prep the Vegetables:

Finely dice 1 cup of Persian cucumbers, 1 medium red bell pepper, 1/2 cup of matchstick carrot, 1 serrano Chile pepper (remove the ribs and seeds for less heat), and roughly chop 1/4 cup of both fresh cilantro and lightly salted dry-roasted peanuts.

Make The Sauce:

In a small bowl, measure and add 3 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lime juice, 1 tablespoon of fish sauce, 2 teaspoons of honey and 1 teaspoon of toasted sesame oil.

Whisk well to combine.

MAKE THE WRAPS:

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large non-stick wok or chefs pan over medium-high heat to get nice and hot. Once the oil is hot, add the pork and spread it out in an even layer. Let it sit there for 3 to 4 minutes or until it get’s a deep golden, crusty sear on the bottom.

Stir the pork around and break up any large clumps.

Continue to cook, stirring often until crispy and deeply golden brown.

Once fully cooked, use a slotted spoon to transfer the pork to a bowl.

Add in all the chopped veggies, cilantro and peanuts.

Toss to combine.

Pour the sweet and sour dressing over top.

Once combined, fill those lettuce cups!

Fill lettuce with a spoonful or two of the pork and vegetable filing and top with cilantro, green onions, toasted sesame seeds and a drizzle of sriracha.

These Pork and Veggie Lettuce Cups were going as fast as I was making them. They’re so incredibly flavorful and light, and the contrast of warm crispy pork and cool crisp veggies is pure perfection. Oh and if there’s leftovers… they’re excellent the next day! I like to reheat the filling just barely, to keep the vegetables crisp.

You may want to unhinge your jaw before you inhale these Pork and Veggie Lettuce Cups, otherwise you may have some of that lime dressing dripping down the side of your hand and you might have to pull an un-ladylike maneuver and lick it up. Hey, it happens and this is a judgement free zone.

Click Here For More Lettuce Wrap Recipes!

Enjoy! And if you give this Crispy Pork and Veggie Lettuce Wraps recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!

This recipe was originally posted on March 8th, 2013 and has been updated with clear and concise instructions, new photography and helpful information.