Step aside, take out. This Thai lettuce wraps recipe will have you enjoying the best that take out has to offer, yet in the comfort of your own home. And you'll know exactly what's in these delicious, plant powered wraps! Bursting with flavor, this may soon become a family fav recipe.
How to make Thai lettuce wraps
If you've already taken a peek at the recipe, don't balk at the number of ingredients. This recipe uses 100% fresh ingredients + spices, and the flavor combo is out of this world. They are super easy to cook + assemble, so stick with me and you'll be in foodie heaven.
I like to start with the 'meat' mixture. Using a mix of walnuts and mushrooms along with several delicious veggies, the base of the Thai lettuce wraps is slightly spicy and super filling. You can swap the walnuts with cashews, peanuts, or almonds. The mushrooms can be swapped with another veggie, or just swap with more walnuts.
Feel free to use as much or as little cilantro and mint as you want. These are great for flavor, yet aren't needed if you'd rather leave them out. This recipe is originally from my Simple Green Meals cookbook, and has been tested several times for perfection.
Freezing Thai lettuce mixture
You can easily make these Thai lettuce wraps ahead of time or make several servings at once, then freeze. Doubling the recipe takes very little extra work, and then you've got a super easy meal for next week.
To freeze, make the filling up to step 3. Once you remove from heat, don't add any other ingredients. Allow to cool completely, then store in a freezer-safe container.
When you're ready to eat, remove the mixture from the freezer. Thaw enough to break up, then heat in a skillet over low heat until warm. Once warmed, continue to follow the recipe instructions in step 3. You'll be on your way to enjoying the Thai lettuce wraps recipe in no time!
Vegan protein options
If you love chicken, then toss some grilled chicken in instead of the walnut + mushroom mix. Yet if you're ready to try something new (and delicious!), then give this plant powered recipe a try. Here are some more plant based protein options if you want to change up the walnut + mushroom filling:
- Tofu
- black beans
- 100% walnuts
- Cashews
- Almond + mushroom mix
Obviously changing the recipe will change the flavor, yet don't be afraid to turn this Thai lettuce wraps recipe into your own creation.
FAQs
Butter lettuce works best for this recipe, as this leafy green has sturdy big leaves that are easy to wrap. You can also use big romaine leaves, though they will turn your wraps into 'tacos.'
Yes! This recipe has a great balance of healthy fat, carbs, and protein. It's both filling and full of plants, a win-win.
Not a problem! These Thai lettuce wraps carry a bite from the fresh ginger and red pepper flakes. You can use ground ginger for less of a kick as well as omit the pepper flakes if needed.
Thai Lettuce Wraps
Rate this Recipe Print RecipeIngredients
Filling:
- 2 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 stalk celery (thinly sliced)
- ¼ cup shallots (minced)
- 1 tablespoon ginger root
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 8 oz baby bella mushrooms (finely chopped)
- 2 cups walnuts (chopped)
- 2 tablespoon lime (juice)
- 2 tablespoon tamari
- 2 tablespoon coconut sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoon mint (fresh, chopped)
- 2 tablespoon cilantro (fresh, chopped)
- pinch crushed red-pepper flakes
For serving:
- 12 leaves butter lettuce
- 1 cup carrot (shredded)
- ½ cup cashews (chopped)
- ¼ cup cilantro (fresh, chopped)
- 1 cup green onions
- 4 lime (wedges)
Instructions
- Warm a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil and heat until shimmering. Add the celery and shallots and cook for 5 minutes. Add the ginger and garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in the mushrooms. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms release their liquid and it evaporates, and the mushrooms start to brown nicely. Add the walnuts and cook for 1 to 2 minutes to toast them.
- Stir in the lime juice, tamari, coconut sugar, and rice vinegar. Simmer for 15 minutes, or until the sauce thickens slightly. Remove from the heat and stir in the mint, cilantro, and red-pepper flakes. Taste and add more tamari, if desired, for more saltiness. Keep warm until ready to serve.
- To serve, spoon some of the vegetables into the lettuce leaves. Top with a sprinkling of carrots, cashews, cilantro, and scallions and add a squeeze of lime. Serve warm.
Video
Notes
- To make nut free: remove the walnuts and double the mushrooms. Also, skip the cashews on top.
- This is gluten free, just make sure to use a gluten free tamari.
Nutrition (estimated)
More plant based recipes
While I'm all about eating more plants, I also need to feel full + satisfied after a meal. Here are a few super filling and super fabulous plant based meals you can easily add to your next Meatless Monday or vegetarian night:
- Coconut Bacon BLT
- Coconut Sriracha Veggie Bowl
- BBQ Jackfruit Tacos
- Vegetarian Ramen
- Vegan Taco Salad
- BBQ Gluten-Free Pizza
- Veggie Wraps
To help my family eat more plants, I even created my own meal planner, Rawk the Year. It has hundreds of plant forward recipes to help you incorporate more fruits and veggies into your diet. So the recipes are kid tested + kid approved too!
Kelly
This looks so good!! What is the best plant based "sour cream"?
Simple Green Smoothies
Great question Kelly! Our fav is our Cashew Cream recipe, which you can find in our book Simple Green Meals. It's a really versatile topping that can used on all kinds of dishes.
Kim
I love this recipe! It's a favorite in my house. 🙂
Simple Green Smoothies
So glad the whole fam loves it Kim!
Kat
These look amazing! I'm not a fan of mushrooms, so I'm gonna take your suggestion and switch those out for some black beans instead.
Simple Green Smoothies
Way to rawk the swaps, Kat!
Erin
I'm always shocked by how delicious these are. And I almost always double the mushrooms because mushrooms are the best 🙂
Vicki
I made this exactly as written. They are delicious. Will definitely make again.
Simple Green Smoothies
So glad you liked them! This is totally a crowd fav Vicki. Sharing with friends is always a good idea. Unless you're like me... I keep all the yummy to myself sometimes. 😉
Lindsay
This recipe is amazing. So good and l led by the whole family.
Jen Hansard
Yeah! So glad you got everyone on board. That's a huge win!!!
Lisa breneman
Love these wraps so much! Didn’t change a thing, perfection!
Simple Green Smoothies
Agreed! They are so delicious!
SHEILA
Wonderful Recipe!!! Will make again and again
Simple Green Smoothies
Thank you Sheila!! I am so glad that you loved it!!
Cindi
Love love love this recipe! I never seem to be able to find good lettuce leaves! Any suggestions? They're either too small or too frail and fall apart! Usually end up just putting on a bed of lettuce!
Simple Green Smoothies
I would suggest searching at your favorite farmers market! I always find the best lettuce and veggies at mine!!
Lindsay
These are so delicious. Really hit the spot. My husband hates mushrooms but couldn’t even tell they were in there - he had multiple and really enjoyed them.
I didn’t have cashews on hand, so I chopped peanuts instead, and it was good that way. We also added siracha on top.
Can the filling be pre-made and frozen? I’d love to prep a big batch all at once since they are a lot of work.
Simple Green Smoothies
So glad this was a hit with both you and your husband! I've never tried freezing the filling but I don't see why you couldn't. That would def make dinner prep a lot easier! If you make a big batch and freeze, come back and let us know how it went. 🙂
Theresa
I would like to try this though need a substitute for mushrooms (allergic) any ideas?