Spicy Korean-Style Beef Lettuce Wraps with Sesame

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Ground beef quickly stir-fried with garlic and gochujang, served in crisp lettuce leaves with a toasted sesame garnish. This korean-inspired beef (low carb, gluten free) ready in about 25 minutes pairs ground beef, large leaves green leaf lettuce, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Korean cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 lb ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp gochujang, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 tbsp sesame oil. Cook for 2 more minutes, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens and coats the beef.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 3 sliced scallions and 2 tsp toasted sesame seeds.
  5. Step 5: To serve, spoon generous portions of the spicy beef mixture into 8 large green leaf lettuce leaves, folding them like cups. Enjoy immediately for a fresh, spicy bite.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Korean-Style Beef Lettuce Wraps with Sesame take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Spicy Korean-Style Beef Lettuce Wraps with Sesame?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Korean-Style Beef Lettuce Wraps with Sesame?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Spicy Korean-Style Beef Lettuce Wraps with Sesame for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Spicy Korean-Style Beef Lettuce Wraps with Sesame low carb?

Yes — this recipe is tagged low carb, gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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