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Meatball Lettuce Wraps Recipe

These sweet-and-savory meatball lettuce wraps bring together juicy glazed meatballs, crisp greens, and fresh garnishes for a bold, build-your-own dinner everyone will love.
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Course: Breakfast, Main Course
Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Keyword: Meatball Lettuce Wraps Recipe
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 450kcal

Ingredients

For the meatballs:

  • 1 pound Ground beef
  • 6 Scallions finely chopped
  • 1 cup Bell pepper finely diced (use red, orange, yellow, or a mix)
  • 1 tablespoon Fresh ginger finely grated
  • 3 cloves Garlic minced
  • ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 large Egg
  • 1 –2 tablespoons Gochujang Korean chili paste
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • Sesame seeds thinly sliced green onions, and fresh cilantro, for garnish

For the sauce:

  • ½ cup Honey
  • ¼ cup Low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons Brown sugar dark or light
  • 2 tablespoons Rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Sesame oil
  • 1 –2 tablespoons Gochujang Korean chili paste, to taste

Instructions

For the meatballs:

  • Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or foil. If using foil, lightly grease it to prevent sticking. Extend the parchment slightly over the sides to catch drips and ease cleanup.
  • In a large bowl, add the ground beef, chopped scallions, diced bell peppers, ginger, garlic, panko crumbs, egg, Gochujang, and salt. Mix gently with your hands just until everything is incorporated—be careful not to overmix to avoid dense meatballs.
  • Scoop the meat mixture into even portions, roughly 3 tablespoons each. Using damp hands, roll each scoop into a smooth ball and place them on the prepared sheet pan. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours. For future use, the meatballs can be frozen at this stage.
  • Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) with the rack set near the top. Bake the meatballs for about 15 minutes, or until cooked through. If using frozen meatballs, increase the baking time by 5–6 minutes.
  • Remove the meatballs from the oven. Dip each one into the prepared sauce using a fork, coating it generously. Return them to the baking sheet and bake for another 4–5 minutes until the glaze is bubbling and slightly caramelized.
  • Serve the glazed meatballs in crisp lettuce leaves such as Bibb, Boston, or Romaine. Offer optional garnishes like jasmine rice, shredded red cabbage, cucumber slices, pickled onions, scallions, chopped cashews, sesame seeds, and fresh herbs such as mint, basil, or cilantro for a customizable and colorful spread.

For the sauce:

  • While the meatballs are baking, combine the honey, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and sesame oil in a small saucepan. Stir well and bring to a boil over medium heat. Let it simmer for 4–5 minutes, or until the sauce thickens slightly.
  • Stir in 1 tablespoon of Gochujang and taste. Add more if you prefer a spicier sauce. Remove from heat and set aside until ready to glaze the meatballs or drizzle over the wraps.

Notes

 
  • This recipe yields approximately 16 to 20 meatballs, depending on their size.
  • Serves 6, with 3 meatballs per serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 450kcal
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