Street Food-Inspired Korean BBQ Beef Lettuce Wraps

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

Flavorful marinated beef strips grilled and served in crisp lettuce leaves with a tangy-sweet sauce and crunchy vegetables for a quick, fresh Korean street food experience. This korean-inspired beef (low carb) ready in about 35 minutes pairs thinly sliced beef sirloin, soy sauce, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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: 25 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Korean cuisine 350 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp grated ginger, and 1 tbsp gochujang. Add 1 lb thinly sliced beef sirloin and toss well to marinate for at least 20 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Grill or sear the marinated beef slices in batches for 2-3 minutes per side until nicely charred and cooked through.
  3. Step 3: Prepare 12 butter lettuce leaves by washing and patting dry. Arrange the cooked beef slices evenly among the leaves.
  4. Step 4: Top each wrap with 1 cup shredded carrots, 3 sliced green onions, thin slices from 1 small cucumber, and sprinkle with 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds.
  5. Step 5: Serve immediately, letting each person fold their own lettuce wraps for a fresh, hand-held Korean BBQ experience.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Street Food-Inspired Korean BBQ Beef Lettuce Wraps take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (25 min prep + 10 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 Street Food-Inspired Korean BBQ Beef Lettuce Wraps?

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 thinly sliced beef sirloin from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Street Food-Inspired Korean BBQ Beef Lettuce Wraps?

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 Street Food-Inspired Korean BBQ Beef Lettuce Wraps 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 Street Food-Inspired Korean BBQ Beef Lettuce Wraps low carb?

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

Related recipes