Beef and Cashew Lettuce Cups (Printable)

Tender beef and crunchy cashews in savory Asian sauces, served in crisp lettuce cups for a light, vibrant meal.

# What goes in:

→ Beef Filling

01 - 1 tbsp vegetable oil
02 - 1 lb lean ground beef
03 - 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
04 - 1 small onion, finely diced
05 - 1 medium carrot, finely diced
06 - 1 small red bell pepper, diced
07 - 1/2 cup unsalted cashew nuts, roughly chopped
08 - 2 spring onions, thinly sliced

→ Sauce

09 - 2 tbsp soy sauce
10 - 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
11 - 1 tbsp oyster sauce
12 - 1 tsp sesame oil
13 - 1 tsp freshly grated ginger
14 - 1 tsp brown sugar
15 - 1/4 tsp chili flakes

→ Serving

16 - 1 large head butter or iceberg lettuce, leaves separated and washed
17 - fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
18 - lime wedges, for serving

# Directions:

01 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking apart with a spatula, until browned and just cooked through, approximately 4-5 minutes.
02 - Add garlic, onion, carrot, and red bell pepper to the skillet. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until vegetables reach tender-crisp consistency.
03 - Add chopped cashew nuts and sliced spring onions to the mixture, stirring constantly to combine evenly.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, grated ginger, brown sugar, and chili flakes until fully incorporated.
05 - Pour sauce over beef mixture and stir thoroughly to coat. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until heated through and fragrant. Remove from heat and adjust seasoning as needed.
06 - Spoon beef-cashew mixture into lettuce cups. Garnish generously with fresh cilantro leaves and serve with lime wedges on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The contrast between hot savory beef and cool crisp lettuce creates the most satisfying bite
  • Everything cooks in one pan in under 15 minutes leaving almost no cleanup
  • Your guests get to assemble their own cups which makes eating feel interactive and fun
02 -
  • Drain excess fat from the beef before adding vegetables or the final dish will feel greasy
  • The lettuce leaves can be prepared several hours ahead and kept cold in the refrigerator
  • The beef mixture reheats beautifully so you can make it a day before your gathering
03 -
  • Water chestnuts add an incredible crunch that takes this dish to restaurant quality
  • Double the sauce recipe and keep half in the refrigerator for a quick stir-fry later in the week

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