Martin Yan's Lettuce Cups

Savor the bold, vibrant flavors of Martin Yan's Lettuce Cups—an irresistible appetizer or light meal that brings the essence of Asian cuisine right to your table. Featuring a savory filling of ground chicken or pork infused with garlic, ginger, and a medley of soy, hoisin, and oyster sauces, this recipe delivers a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and umami flavors. Crisp water chestnuts add a delightful crunch, while optional toppings like chopped peanuts and fresh cilantro elevate each bite. Wrapped in tender, crisp lettuce leaves, these cups offer a refreshing, low-carb alternative to traditional wraps, making them ideal for a healthy yet indulgent treat. Ready in just 25 minutes, this quick and easy dish is perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests.

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground chicken or pork
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, finely chopped
• 3 green onions, finely sliced
• 0.5 cup water chestnuts, chopped
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 12 lettuce leaves (butter lettuce or iceberg)
• 0.25 cup chopped peanuts or cashews (optional)
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Wash and carefully separate the lettuce leaves. Pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel and set aside on a platter.

Step 2

Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic and ginger to the hot oil and stir-fry for 30 seconds until aromatic.

Step 4

Add the ground chicken or pork to the skillet. Cook, breaking it into small pieces with a spatula, until the meat is fully browned, about 5-6 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the green onions and water chestnuts, cooking for another minute to combine and heat through.

Step 6

Lower the heat to medium and stir in the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Mix well to coat the ingredients evenly and let cook for an additional 2 minutes.

Step 7

Remove the skillet from heat and transfer the filling to a serving dish or bowl.

Step 8

To assemble, spoon the warm filling into the center of a lettuce leaf and top with chopped peanuts and cilantro, if desired.

Step 9

Fold the lettuce leaf like a taco or wrap and enjoy immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1227.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1520.9

Total Fat 98.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 19.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 23.2g
Cholesterol 391.0mg	0%
Sodium 2597.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 72.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 16.3g	0%
Total Sugars 23.9g
Protein 102.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 312.9mg	0%
Iron 10.4mg	0%
Potassium 3439.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 55.9%

Protein: 25.8%

Carbs: 18.3%