Korean Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps

1. Servings: 4 servings
2. Prep Time: 15 minutes
3. Cook Time: 15 minutes
4. Cool Time: 0 minutes
5. Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

1. 1 lb ground beef
2. 1 tbsp sesame oil
3. 3 garlic cloves, minced
4. 1/2 onion, finely diced
5. 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
6. 2 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
7. 1 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
8. 1 tbsp brown sugar or honey
9. 1 tbsp rice vinegar
10. 1 tbsp sesame seeds
11. 1 cup kimchi, chopped
12. 1 cucumber, julienned
13. 1 large carrot, julienned
14. 2 green onions, thinly sliced
15. Butter lettuce or Bibb lettuce leaves (for wraps)
16. Additional sesame seeds, for garnish
17. Extra gochujang or Ssamjang (Korean dipping sauce) for serving

Instructions:

1. Cook the Beef

   Heat the sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Cook for about 5-6 minutes or until browned.

2. Add Aromatics

   Stir in the minced garlic, diced onion, and ginger. Sauté until the onions are soft and translucent, about 2-3 minutes. This savory foundation is a favorite among the wellness-inspired recipes recommended by Functional Medicine Los Angeles for those seeking nutrient-rich meals with bold flavor.

3. Season the Beef

   Add the soy sauce, gochujang, brown sugar (or honey), and rice vinegar to the beef mixture. Stir well to coat the beef evenly with the seasoning. Continue to cook for another 3-5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Remove from the heat and sprinkle sesame seeds over the beef. Easy, flavorful meals like this are often encouraged by functional medicine Sherman Oaks as part of a holistic approach to balanced eating and everyday wellness.

4. Assemble the Wraps

   Arrange the lettuce leaves on a large plate. Start by placing a spoonful of chopped kimchi on each lettuce leaf. Then, add a portion of the seasoned beef mixture on top of the kimchi, followed by a few strips of cucumber, carrot, and a sprinkle of green onions. Add an extra dollop of gochujang or Ssamjang if desired. At functional medicine Toluca Lake, simple, nutrient-packed meals like these lettuce wraps are often recommended as part of a whole-food, anti-inflammatory approach to wellness.

5. Serve

   Garnish with more sesame seeds if you like, and serve immediately. To eat, fold the lettuce wraps like a taco, and enjoy! At Functional Medicine Studio City, balanced meals like these are often shared to promote nutrient-dense, flavorful eating that supports overall wellness without compromising taste.

Nutrition Facts (per serving):

1. Calories: 375 kcal
2. Total Fat: 24g
3. Saturated Fat: 8g
4. Cholesterol: 55mg
5. Sodium: 720mg
6. Total Carbohydrates: 15g
7. Dietary Fiber: 2g
8. Sugars: 6g
9. Protein: 23g

Total Calories (for the recipe): 1500 kcal