Asian Style Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps

INGREDIENTS

• ¼ cup maple syrup (brown sugar, or coconut sugar)
• ¼ cup coconut aminos (tamari, or soy sauce)
• 2 tsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
• ¼ - ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 tsp arrowroot powder (or cornstarch)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 tsp fresh ginger (grated)
• 1 medium red bell pepper (finely diced)
• ½ c shredded carrots
• 4 whole green onions (sliced into 1” pieces)
• kosher salt (to taste)
• ground pepper (to taste)
• sesame seeds (to taste, for garnish)
• Boston Bibb lettuce
• steamed white rice or sauteed cauliflower rice (optional, for serving)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. 1 Make the sauce. Combine the maple syrup, coconut aminos, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes (if using) in a measuring cup. Whisk until combined. Add the arrowroot powder and whisk until well combined.
2. 2 Heat olive oil in a 10” skillet over medium high heat until it shimmers. Add the ground beef and cook, stirring with a wood spoon to break up, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
3. 3 Add the garlic and ginger and cook, stirring continuously, until very fragrant, 1-2 minutes.
4. 4 Add the bell pepper and carrots and cook until bite tender, 3-4 minutes.
5. 5 Pour the sauce over the skillet contents, then stir. Simmer until the sauce is slightly thickened, 2-3 minutes. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper if needed.
6. 6 Stir in the sliced green onions.
7. 7 Spoon the filling into lettuce wraps (with or without rice) and garnish with sesame seeds. Makes 8 wraps without rice, or 12 wraps with rice.

NUTRITION

Calories: 378kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 20g | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 17g