Ground Beef Lettuce Cups

I make these Ground Beef Lettuce Cups when I'm craving a bright, fun and satisfying dinner or lunch. They also make incredible little appetizers when I have friends coming over! They come together in no time, look beautiful on the table and are versatile enough to suit pretty much everyone. I love that I can add in any veggies I have around the house and flavor them in a bunch of different ways. They are so adaptable! This is an easy gluten free recipe to add to your list. Whether you're cooking for yourself, feeding the family or entertaining friends, these bites have the right balance of flavor and texture. Plus, they are so easy to make!

I love using lettuce leaves instead of buns or pasta as a light way to carry the meat. Make these as a full meal or an appetizer! You can also add rice.

If you love this recipe, try my Sweet Potato Sliders, these Loaded Steak Nachos and my Gluten Free Pigs in a Blanket.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

These crunchy and perfectly seasoned Ground Beef Lettuce Cups are protein packed, tender and nutritious.

The super flavorful beef cooks down beautifully, staying soft and savory in every bite. If you're a taco lover, you're going to love these!

With plenty of veggies and greens, it's a well-rounded meal you can feel great about.

Both gluten and grain free, these easy bites are also low carb and loaded with fresh ingredients.

Eat them for lunch, dinner or as a super quick appetizer!

With a simple and comforting filling, these bites are also kid-friendly.

I love that the quick filling for these easy lettuce cups can be made as part of my weekly meal prep; such a timer saver.

Equipment Needed

I used a knife, a cutting board and a pan to cook everything in. A wok or skillet are great for cooking the ground meat for these Ground Beef Lettuce Cups.

Ingredients Needed

Ground beef: I like to use high quality, grass fed ground beef for these Ground Beef Lettuce Cups.

Sweet onion: Adds savoryness and a little sweetness to the meat.

Red pepper: For color and crunch. You can use another color pepper if you prefer!

Coconut aminos: This is a delicious way to season the beef and it's gluten free!

Red pepper flakes: Adds a tiny bit of heat. You can add a hotter chili or cayenne powder if you prefer more heat.

Garlic powder: I like using powdered garlic to flavor ground meat because it doesn't run the risk of burning.

Lettuce: Use a sturdy lettuce like romaine or butterhead lettuce for the cups.

Step By Step Instructions

Step 1: Round up your ingredients to make your Ground Beef Lettuce Cups.

Step 2: Chop up your vegetables. Cook onion in a pan with a little oil until softened and browned.

Step 3: Next, add in your ground beef, seasoning and some red pepper.

Step 4: Cook until the meat is done to how you like it. Cool the meat mixture and then build your lettuce cups.

Storage

I like to store leftover Ground Beef Lettuce Cups for up to 4 days. Note that you will need fresh lettuce cups when you eat your leftovers. I just store the leftover ground beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Remember to cool the meat before packing it.

Leftover cooked ground beef can be frozen in a freezer safe container for about 2 months. I suggest thawing it out in the refrigerator overnight and then warming it up slowly in a pan.

Variations

The flavor combination possibilities are honestly endless!

Swap the ground beef for ground chicken or turkey, add grated ginger and top them with sesame seeds and some sriracha or chili crisp.

Use taco seasoning instead of garlic powder/red pepper flakes. Mix in black beans or corn and top the lettuce cups with avocado and fresh cilantro. So GOOD!

Replace coconut aminos with balsamic glaze, add chopped olives and cherry tomatoes. I like to top this variation with crumbled feta cheese (dairy free if needed)!

Use ground beef or pork, add little rice vinegar, grated pear and top with scallions and sesame seeds.

Swap red pepper flakes for Thai curry paste add shredded carrots and zucchini and squeeze over some fresh lime and torn basil.

How To Serve 

Here's how to serve these Ground Beef Lettuce Cups:

• I like to prep them for lunch for a busy work week!
• Whip them up for a quick dinner.
• Serve them as an appetizer at a party.
• Add them alongside some rice!

Recipe FAQ

What kind of meat is best for lettuce wraps? 

Ground beef, chicken, turkey and pork all work well because they cook quickly and absorb flavor easily. I prefer leaner cuts of meat so they don't come out greasy.

What to put in a wrap with ground beef? 

Seasonings, finely diced veggies and herbs all work well.

Can I use a different kind of meat?

Yes, you can use chicken, turkey or pork meat.

What do I need to make ground beef lettuce wraps? 

You will need ground beef, seasoning, vegetables, lettuce leaves and a tasty sauce (like coconut aminos, soy sauce or a stir-fry sauce). A hot skillet or wok is helpful for quick cooking.

What to serve with beef lettuce wraps? 

Serve them with sides like jasmine rice, cauliflower rice, stir-fried vegetables, spring rolls or a light Asian-style salad.

Can this be made gluten free?

It is already gluten free.

Can this be made ahead of time? 

Yes, you can make the ground beef mixture ahead of time.

Which lettuce is best for lettuce boats?

Choose sturdy lettuce leaves like Romaine or butterhead lettuce leaves.

Related Recipes

Be sure to try these fun dinner ideas next:

Homemade Chow Mein

Viral Dumpling Salad

Chicken Caesar Flatbread

Gluten Free Kung Pao Chicken

Paelo Tuna Cakes

If you make these Ground Beef Lettuce Cups and love them, I would really appreciate a 5 star review! I also love seeing your creations so please tag me on Instagram  orTikTok.