Someone stole Ben’s lunch at work today! I didn’t know people actually did that, but apparently it’s happened 3 times in the past 5 years (he’s keeping track, you see.) Stinks too because I packed him some really nice goodies including a homemade chewy cherry-almond granola bar and an applesauce cup, which he just loves. Hmmph!
I told him to track down the thief and go all Ross Geller on him. My. Wrap? MYYYY WRAAAAAAP? Classic.
Anyway, I’ve got a nice dinner waiting for him at home that I know will help soothe his soul –  Thai Steak Lettuce Wraps, which were inspired by the Kentuckyaki Pig Ear Lettuce Wraps we had at HUSK in Charleston, except beefier (I’ll leave the pig ear prep to the pros!) and infused with the flavors of the far east instead of the low country.
Thai Steak Lettuce Wraps are tender butter lettuce leaves piled with marinated grilled steak and quick-pickled cucumbers and onions, then drizzled with a creamy, almond butter Thai sauce which is made from the steak marinade. This lower-carb meal is full of flavors and textures that mingle so, so well together.
If you don’t like steak, then chicken, salmon or, oooo SHRIMP would be divine too. Also, if you can’t find lettuce cups in your area (there is actually only one place around here I can consistently find them – Dahl’s for you local folks) then enjoy in flour tortillas, or over a salad. These wraps are perfect as we head into spring and grilling season. Quick and light!
Start with the Quick-Pickled Cucumbers & Red Onions. I was tickled to see this little salad topping the pig ear lettuce wraps because it’s one of my favorite things, and super easy to make. I first had it at a little cafe while visiting a friend at KU back in college, and have been making it ever since for a cold, refreshing bite in the spring and summer time.
All you do is combine 1 thinly sliced cucumber and 1 thinly sliced red onion with 1/4 cup rice vinegar (or another vinegar) and 2 teaspoons sugar. Toss to combine then stir occasionally for another 30 minutes or so. Overtime the cucumbers and onions will slowly pickle and become soft and MAGICAL. You could make this up to a day ahead of time.
Note: I detest bread & butter pickles, so these are not like that. You can’t really taste the sugar, mmkay?
While the cucumbers and onions are pickling, get started on the sauce that will marinate the steak AND become the Thai sauce to drizzle over the wraps! Into a blender or food processor combine 1/4 cup gluten-free Tamari or soy sauce (dish will not be GF if using soy sauce,) 3 Tablespoons each lime juice and extra virgin olive oil, and 2 Tablespoons honey.Â
Next add in 1 Tablespoon + 1 teaspoon sesame oil, 1/2 teaspoon red chili pepper flakes, a 1-1/2″ knob of fresh ginger that’s been peeled and chopped, and 2 garlic cloves.Â
Now blend until the sauce is completely smooth.
Remove 1/4 cup of the sauce then add it to 1lb steak. I used skirt steak, but flank steak or a super tender sirloin or rib-eye would be awesome. Again, chicken or fish would be really good here too! Let the steak sit and marinate on the counter for 10-15 minutes.
Meanwhile, add 1-1/2 Tablespoons creamy almond butter to the remaining soy sauce mixture then blend again until smooth and set aside. This is the Thai sauce for the steak lettuce wraps!
Finally, grill the steak until it reaches your preferred level of doneness, then let rest for 10 minutes before slicing very thinly against the grain.
Pile fresh butter lettuce leaves with the sliced steak then top with quick pickled cucumbers & onions and drizzle with the creamy Thai sauce. Wrap, roll, and devour!
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Thai Steak Lettuce Wraps
Description
Thai Steak Lettuce Wraps are grilled steak plus quick-pickled cucumbers and onions drizzled with a creamy Thai sauce.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup gluten-free Tamari or soy sauce (dish will not be GF if using soy sauce)
- 3 Tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons honey
- 1 Tablespoon + 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili pepper flakes
- 1-1/2" knob fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1-1/2 Tablespoons creamy almond butter
- 1lb steak (flank, skirt, sirloin)
- Bibb lettuce cups
- For the Quick-Pickled Cucumbers & Onions:
- 1 small cucumber, peeled and very thinly sliced
- 1 small red onion, very thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons sugar
Directions
- For the Quick-Pickled Cucumbers and Onions: combine ingredients in a large bowl then stir to combine. Let sit on the counter and stir occasionally while preparing the rest of the dish. Can be made up to a day ahead of time.
- Combine soy sauce, lime juice, olive oil, honey, sesame oil, red chili pepper flakes, ginger, and garlic in a blender or food processor then blend until smooth. Remove 1/4 cup of the liquid then add almond butter to blender and blend again until smooth. Add reserved 1/4 cup marinade to the steak in a plastic bag or container then marinate on the counter for 10-15 minutes.
- Preheat a grill or grill pan to high heat then grill marinated steak until medium rare. Remove to a cutting board to rest for 10 minutes then slice very thinly against the grain. Lay out lettuce cups then top with sliced steak, quick-pickled cucumber & onions and then drizzle with the almond butter sauce.
Notes
Sauce slightly adapted from Giada de Laurentiis
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
So many flavors going on here but all working together so well. Salty, savory, sour, sweet – YUMMY!
Kristin 03.08.2017
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Kristin 03.08.2017
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Oh The Yum. | SOLE for the Soul 10.29.2013
[…] Thai Steak Lettuce Wraps (from Iowa Girl Eats) […]
Katy 08.22.2013
This recipe is to die for! I am one of those “doesn’t ever follow recipes to a t” folks, but I wanted to give this one a fair go and I was NOT disappointed!! The flavors go amazingly well together, and the sauce is something I will add to my mental repertoire of recipes. I even made the sauce again the next night, for a different meal. Thanks!! :)
-Recent convert :)
Thai Lettuce Wraps | Lettuce Never Squash Our Love 06.28.2013
[…] found this recipe at Iowa Girl Eats, and I pretty much followed it. I sliced a kohlrabi into matchsticks and added that to the quick […]
Becky 04.21.2013
These were even a hit with my fiance, who claims not to like Thai food (crazy!). Thanks for another winner recipe.
Cherub Mamma 04.18.2013
I made these last night. I had the leftovers for lunch today (cold). Both meals were A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.!!! Thank you so much for the recipe. It is a definite go to. I can’t wait to try it with chicken too.
Michelle 04.18.2013
Made these tonight and they were fantastic! Thanks for another amazing recipe.
Amy S. 04.15.2013
Cannot wait to try these!! We had some lettuce wraps at a restaurant in St.Louis when we were on vacation and my 11 year old went nuts for them. Since then we have been making lots of variations at home and I cannot wait to try this combo of flavors!
Lindsey 04.13.2013
I made these today and they were awesome! I pickled the cucumber and onion yesterday and just let that marinade for a day. I used flank steak. The sauce is amazing. Great recipe. Thank you!
Jane 04.11.2013
He should use a lunch bag with an ice pack in it, then keep it somewhere other than the fridge at work…I would personally be so embarrassed if I got caught eating another co-workers lunch! That really takes a lot of nerve! I liked the suggestion one person put, about licking the pizza slices and then letting everyone one know they did that. I think I remember you saying a year or two ago about him getting it stolen back then, must of been the second time it was stolen :)?
Hayley 04.11.2013
These sound so good! I love adding a little something to a marinade to turn it into a sauce or dressing :)
I haven’t had my lunch stolen yet, but someone at my office used almost my entire container of half and half! I was very sad (and stuck with a french press full of black coffee) when I found out.
David 04.11.2013
Yummy Yum Yum! Loving the Thai steak and lettuce wraps. Your photos are making my mouth water as I’m writing. Get a lock for the lunch box!
Katie @ Blonde Ambition 04.11.2013
I made chicken with a sauce nearly identical to this a few days ago, but with peanut butter instead of almond butter – What a neat idea to make it with AB!
Danielle 04.11.2013
Okay, so I’ve been crushing on your site for a while now, ESPECIALLY since I’m from Des Moines (DUH-MOYn…my husband pronounces it like it’s spelled just to poke me). But now you’re mentioning KU in a post? I live in Lawrence now! It’s just a sign. A sign that I need to make these. Yes…so, shout out from a fellow Iowan (or Ioweagan…another funny husband quip, har har)!
Julia Jolliff 04.11.2013
Oh people DO that! Isn’t it crazy? Who steals someones lunch? The last place I worked they would send emails out about it all of the time. Ha.
These wraps look perfect!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl 04.11.2013
People seriously STEAL lunches?? That is pathetic! I guess that is what happens when you are married to someone who is as good at cooking as you are! ;)
Megan 04.11.2013
I’ve found lettuce wraps at my local Hy-Vee! If you ask them, they’re typically more than happy to bring in a product for you :)
Masha 04.11.2013
I love making lettuce wraps. So easy and low carb but I will definitely try this Thai Flavoring!
Jessica@AKitchenAddiction 04.11.2013
Guess I’ll have to take a trip to Dahl’s soon! Love these!
Claire @ Health Nut Claire 04.11.2013
If you haven’t already done a post about photography you totally should! Your pictures are stunning!