Asian Lettuce Wrap Ground Beef Bowls

A Healthy Weeknight Dinner in Under 20 Minutes

When life gets busy (which, let’s be honest… is most nights!), I love having a dinner that checks every box: fast, flavorful, healthy, and husband-approved. These Asian Lettuce Wrap Ground Beef Bowls are exactly that. They’re savory, a little sweet, perfectly tangy, and come together with simple pantry staples you probably already have.

This recipe tastes like your favorite takeout lettuce wraps — but quicker, healthier, and so budget-friendly. You can serve the ground beef mixture over rice for a cozy bowl, or spoon it straight into crisp lettuce leaves for a fresh, low-carb option. And the best part? The sauce doubles as a delicious dressing for serving. Just save a little on the side!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Ready in 15–20 minutes

• Packed with flavor but still light and healthy

• Uses simple pantry ingredients

• Budget-friendly and meal-prep friendly

• Can be served two ways: lettuce wraps or rice bowls

• Easily customizable with any veggies you have on hand

Ingredients

For the Beef

• 1 lb ground beef

• Any veggies you like: diced bell peppers, carrots, onions, mushrooms, cabbage, zucchini (totally optional — use what you have!)

For the Sauce

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 3–4 tbsp soy sauce

• 1–2 tbsp honey

• 1 tsp mustard (or honey mustard!)

• 1–2 tsp sesame oil

• 1–2 tsp rice vinegar

• 1–2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tsp grated ginger (or a dash of ground ginger)

• Black pepper to taste

Tip: Mix the sauce in a bowl and save a little for drizzling over your lettuce or salad at the end!

For Serving

• Butter lettuce, romaine leaves, or spinach

• Cooked rice (optional if making bowls)

• Green onions + sesame seeds for garnish

How to Make It

1. Prep the sauce

Whisk together olive oil, soy sauce, honey, mustard, sesame oil, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and pepper. Set aside 2–3 tablespoons of the sauce to use as a dressing later.

2. Cook the ground beef

In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Add your veggies of choice and cook until tender.

3. Add the sauce

Pour the remaining sauce over the beef and veggies. Let it simmer for 3–5 minutes to thicken slightly and coat everything in flavor.

4. Assemble your bowls or wraps

• For rice bowls: Add rice to a bowl, top with the beef mixture, drizzle with your reserved dressing.

• For lettuce wraps: Spoon the beef mixture into crisp lettuce leaves and finish with the extra sauce.

Sprinkle with green onions or sesame seeds if you're feeling fancy!

Tips & Variations

• Swap the beef for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.

• Add sriracha or chili flakes if you like heat.

• Use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce for a lower-sodium choice.

• Add chopped peanuts on top for crunch.

• Meal prep friendly: stores well for 3–4 days in the fridge.

Why This Dinner Works So Well

It’s fast. It’s flavorful. It uses ingredients you already have. And it’s one of those dinners that just feels good to eat — satisfying without being heavy.

Perfect for busy work nights, healthy resets, or when you just want something delicious without spending an hour in the kitchen. Make sure you are followe @Weeknight_Homemaker.

With Love,

Lauren Morgan