Recipe Blog - Feature - Wagyu Lettuce Wraps

Wagyu Beef Lettuce Wrap Recipe

By: Andrea Alden

When it comes to ground beef, it can often get lost in the shuffle of ingredients, overpowered by the fillings and toppings. I couldn’t allow that to happen with the ground Wagyu Beef that was so generously provided by Chophouse Steaks. That’s when I decided to make these Wagyu Beef Lettuce Wraps. They highlight the beef – trust me, ground Wagyu is flavorful and succulent, to say the least – and use the accouterments to add to the finished flavor instead of masking it. This recipe comes together pretty quick and will leave you wanting more. Perfect for a meal on a hot summer’s night.

Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
15 min
Yield
2 to 4
Difficulty
Easy

Wagyu Beef Lettuce Wrap Recipe

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Ingredients

Method

Photos

Ingredients

1 lb.

ground Wagyu Beef

Pinch

Japanese 7 Spice or Chinese 5 Spice 

2 tsp.

toasted sesame oil

2 cloves

garlic, minced or grated

1

red chili, deseeded and minced

4 tbsp.

brown sugar

4 tbsp.

fish/oyster sauce

1

lime, zested and juiced


Quick Pickled Veggies

1

carrot, cut into matchsticks

1 handful

bean sprouts

½

Yellow pepper, sliced thin

1 cup

vinegar

3 tsp.

sugar

3 tsp.

kosher salt


For Serving

1 head of lettuce (gem, butter, bibb, or boston) washed and separated

3 green onions, chopped

Sesame seeds

Method
  1. Place the vinegar, sugar, and salt into a saucepan and bring to a boil, allowing the sugar and salt to dissolve entirely. While that is heating, prepare the carrot. Place the carrots and beansprouts into a 1-pint (500 ml) jar with a lid. Once the vinegar mixture has boiled, pour the liquid over the vegetables in the jar. Allow this to sit on the counter until room temperature. They’re ready to eat once they are cool.
  2. While the quick pickled veggies are resting, swap out one set of cooking grids for a cast iron griddle, or place the griddle directly onto the cooking grids, and light the grill, setting it to medium. If you don’t have a griddle, place a large cast-iron skillet onto the cooking grids instead. 
  3. Once warmed up, fry the ground Wagyu Beef over direct heat, sprinkle lightly with the 7-Spice blend. Fry for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the beef is crumbly and crisp. Drain the oil through a sieve and set the beef aside to keep it crispy.
  4. Using the side burner heat a skillet or wok with the sesame oil. Add the garlic and chili, frying for about a minute. Then add the brown sugar, fish sauce, and lime juice and zest. Continue to cook the garlic and sauce for another minute or two. Remove about 1/3 of the sauce for serving, then add the beef to the remaining sauce in the wok. Fry until coated and warm. **Omit the chili if you aren't into spice, leave them on the side for others who may like the heat.**
  5. Serve the beef in lettuce cups and top with the pickled veggies, green onion, and sesame seeds. 

What is your favorite way to use ground beef? Share your best Ground Beef recipes (with photos) for the BBQ on our social pages like Facebook and Instagram, using the hashtags #BBQBeef, #NapoleonEats, and #NapoleonGrills.

Happy Grilling!
 

Recipe Blog - Wagyu Lettuce Wraps - Quickles

Start by making the quick pickles

Recipe Blog - Wagyu Lettuce Wraps - Grill1

Grill the ground Wagyu on a griddle

Recipe Blog - Wagyu Lettuce Wraps - Grill2

Break the meat up and mix in the spices

Recipe Blog - Wagyu Lettuce Wraps - Grill3

It's starting to get crispy

Recipe Blog - Wagyu Lettuce Wraps - Grill4

Just right, those crispy bits will taste so good

Recipe Blog - Wagyu Lettuce Wraps - Grill5

Add the crispy Wagyu to the sauce

Recipe Blog - Wagyu Lettuce Wraps - Serve1

Serve with pickled veggies

Recipe Blog - Wagyu Lettuce Wraps - Serve2

Add a little of the extra sauce, hot peppers, or whatever else you like

AndreaAlden
Andrea Alden

I used to be the Sultana of Sizzle, but you can call me Andrea. I have always been passionate about food. Even though I was majoring in Art and Graphic Design, I would frequently be found cooking for my friends and family.

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Recipe Blog - Wagyu Lettuce Wraps - Quickles

Start by making the quick pickles

Recipe Blog - Wagyu Lettuce Wraps - Grill1

Grill the ground Wagyu on a griddle

Recipe Blog - Wagyu Lettuce Wraps - Grill2

Break the meat up and mix in the spices

Recipe Blog - Wagyu Lettuce Wraps - Grill3

It's starting to get crispy

Recipe Blog - Wagyu Lettuce Wraps - Grill4

Just right, those crispy bits will taste so good

Recipe Blog - Wagyu Lettuce Wraps - Grill5

Add the crispy Wagyu to the sauce

Recipe Blog - Wagyu Lettuce Wraps - Serve1

Serve with pickled veggies

Recipe Blog - Wagyu Lettuce Wraps - Serve2

Add a little of the extra sauce, hot peppers, or whatever else you like