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These Thai-inspired lettuce wraps are so good, you wouldn’t believe they are completely plant based! Seriously, recipe is even better than takeout. Try this simple Thai lettuce wraps recipe for a truly great meal.

Thai lettuce wraps recipe

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 for Meatless Monday (or any day of the week).

Table of Contents
  1. How to Make Thai Lettuce Wraps
  2. Freezing Tips
  3. Vegan Protein Options
  4. FAQs
  5. More Plant-Based Recipes
  6. Thai Lettuce Wraps 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 Tips

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!

Plant based Thai lettuce wraps

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

What lettuce do you use for lettuce wraps?

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.’

Are lettuce wraps good for weight loss?

Yes! This recipe has a great balance of healthy fat, carbs, and protein. It’s both filling and full of plants, a win-win.

What if I can’t do spicy food?

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.

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:

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!

Don’t forget to rate + review this recipe once you’ve tried it. I love getting your feedback!

4.97 from 30 votes

Thai Lettuce Wraps

When I became a vegetarian at 16 years old, one of the meals I missed the most was the chicken lettuce wraps from my fav Chinese restaurant. This thai lettuce wrap recipe is inspired by those, yet this dish adds a lot more nourishment and flavors to make me one happy vegetarian.
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 50 minutes
Author: Jen Hansard
Course: Entree, Side Dish
Cuisine: Japanese-Inspired, Plant-Based, Thai-Inspired
Serves: 4

Ingredients  

Filling:

  • 2 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1 stalk celery thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup shallots minced
  • 1 tbsp ginger root
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 8 oz baby bella mushrooms finely chopped
  • 2 cups raw walnuts chopped
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • 2 tbsp tamari
  • 2 tbsp coconut sugar
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 2 tbsp mint fresh, chopped
  • 2 tbsp cilantro fresh, chopped
  • pinch crushed red-pepper flakes

For serving:

  • 12 leaves butter lettuce
  • 1 cup carrot shredded
  • ½ cup raw 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.
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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

Calories: 637kcal, Carbohydrates: 38g, Protein: 16g, Fat: 53g, Saturated Fat: 11g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 29g, Monounsaturated Fat: 10g, Sodium: 61mg, Potassium: 1083mg, Fiber: 9g, Sugar: 16g, Vitamin A: 7345IU, Vitamin C: 20mg, Calcium: 151mg, Iron: 5mg
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Rating




Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Made these this past weekend for meal prep and LOVE THEM. Plan to make them again next weekend. Even my fiancé, who loves meat, thought these were great!

    1. That is so awesome, Emily! I am so happy to hear that your family loved this recipe 🙂

  2. 5 stars
    This recipe looks so good. I love that is gluten free. I’ll be making this for lunchbox tomorrow

    1. Hey Ana,

      Super excited for you to give this a try! Let us know how you like it.

  3. 5 stars
    Looks and sounds yummy. Even better…its easy to make and healthy. Can’t wait to try it. Thanks!

  4. 5 stars
    One pot recipes are the best— esp when they taste this good. Woot! Woot!

  5. 5 stars
    Thai chicken wraps are the first meal I ate after my first fresh start experience – I was SO SAD that the chicken lost all appeal for me! This recipe, however, is another slam dunk. Thank you for another delicious plant based meal!

    1. Hey Genevieve!

      So happy you love this recipe. It’s so crazy how something we use to crave can be changed so easily 🙂

  6. 4 stars
    This recipe looks delicious, healthy and easy to put together, aside from all the chopping of ingredients! I love how you just need one pot to make it. Can’t wait to try!

    1. We love making things as simple as we can! So happy you enjoyed this recipe 🙂

  7. 5 stars
    THIS is what’s for dinner tonight! I’ve only ever had a kitchen because it came w my home. Now I love to cook because these recipes are so delicious and I feel so good when I eat whole food plant based meals!

    1. Hey Kimberly,

      So happy you now love cooking in your kitchen! There is nothing better than cooking delicious meals that are also good for you.

  8. 5 stars
    I can’t wait for dinner tonight!! Just picked up the ingredients to make this. They look just like that chain restaurant only healthier!!!

    1. They are seriously so good!! I hope you enjoyed your dinner, Melinda!

  9. I just watched the video to make these on youtube and cannot wait to try them. All you need is one pot!