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Thai Basil Beef Lettuce Cups

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Quick and easy Thai basil beef lettuce cups with a spicy kick, ready in 20 minutes. A flavorful, light, and satisfying meal perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves, chopped (loosely packed)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp red chili flakes, or to taste
  • 2 tbsp fish sauce
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce (low sodium if preferred)
  • 1 tsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2–3 stalks green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 head iceberg or butter lettuce, washed and separated

Instructions

  1. Rinse the lettuce leaves gently under cold water, pat dry with a kitchen towel, and set aside.
  2. Mince the garlic and slice the green onions thinly. Chop the Thai basil leaves, reserving a few whole leaves for garnish if desired.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook for 6-8 minutes until no longer pink and nicely browned.
  5. Sprinkle in the red chili flakes, fish sauce, soy sauce, and brown sugar. Stir well to combine and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to meld flavors.
  6. Toss in the chopped green onions and Thai basil leaves, stirring until just wilted, about 1 minute.
  7. Spoon the beef mixture into each lettuce leaf. Garnish with remaining whole basil leaves or extra chili flakes if desired.

Notes

Avoid overcrowding the pan when cooking beef to get better browning. Add fresh chilies or sriracha for more heat or omit chili flakes for milder flavor. Use tamari for gluten-free soy sauce. Fresh Thai basil is preferred for authentic flavor; sweet basil can be a substitute. Store beef filling separately from lettuce to keep cups crisp.

Nutrition

Keywords: Thai basil beef, lettuce cups, spicy beef recipe, quick dinner, easy Thai recipe, low carb, gluten free

Find it online: https://atomicbite.com/thai-basil-beef-lettuce-cups-recipe-easy-spicy-kick-ready-in-20-minutes/