These Vegan Lettuce Wraps are fresh, crunchy, and bursting with savory flavor. Filled with a delicious mix of plant-based protein and vegetables, they’re a healthy, satisfying, and quick meal perfect for lunch, dinner, or meal prep.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast and fresh: Ready in under 30 minutes with minimal cooking.
- Customizable: Use chickpeas, tofu, or plant-based crumbles—add your favorite veggies and sauces.
- Healthy and light: Low-carb, gluten-free, and packed with fiber and nutrients.
- Perfect for meal prep: Prepare the filling in advance and assemble when ready to eat.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Butter or Bibb lettuce leaves
- Tofu, chickpeas, or plant-based meat crumbles
- Onion, diced
- Carrot, shredded
- Mushrooms or water chestnuts, chopped
- Garlic, minced
- Ginger, grated
- Soy sauce or tamari
- Hoisin sauce or peanut sauce
- Sesame oil
- Optional toppings: green onions, crushed peanuts, sesame seeds, cilantro
Directions
- Prep lettuce: Wash and dry lettuce leaves, then set aside.
- Cook filling: In a skillet over medium heat, sauté onion, garlic, and ginger in sesame oil until fragrant. Add tofu (crumbled), chickpeas (mashed), or crumbles and cook until golden.
- Add vegetables: Stir in carrots, mushrooms, and any other desired veggies. Cook for 3–5 minutes.
- Season: Stir in soy sauce and hoisin or peanut sauce. Cook until everything is well combined and heated through.
- Assemble wraps: Spoon warm filling into lettuce leaves and top with your favorite garnishes.
- Serve: Enjoy immediately for best texture.
Servings and timing
- Servings: 4–6 lettuce wraps
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 10–15 minutes
- Total time: 20–25 minutes
Variations
- Chickpea version: Mash half the chickpeas for a chunky texture.
- Mushroom-tofu mix: A savory combo with earthy depth.
- Spicy: Add sriracha or chili paste to the sauce for heat.
- Nutty: Use peanut or tahini sauce for a rich, creamy finish.
- Low-carb: Omit hoisin sauce and sweeteners.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store the filling in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep lettuce separate.
- Reheat: Warm filling in a skillet or microwave before assembling.
- Freezing: Freeze the cooked filling only; thaw and reheat before using in fresh lettuce.
FAQs
What kind of lettuce is best for wraps?
Butter lettuce or Bibb lettuce is ideal for its softness and shape, but romaine or iceberg can also work.
Can I make this nut-free?
Yes—use sunflower seed butter or skip the nut-based sauce entirely.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Use tamari instead of soy sauce and check that your sauces are gluten-free.
Can I make the filling ahead of time?
Absolutely! Store it in the fridge and reheat when ready to serve.
How do I keep the lettuce crisp?
Wash and dry thoroughly, then store in a container lined with paper towels.
Are these wraps spicy?
They’re not spicy by default, but you can add chili sauce to turn up the heat.
Can I use lentils instead of tofu or chickpeas?
Yes—cooked lentils make a great protein-packed alternative.
What sauce goes best with these wraps?
Hoisin, soy-ginger, or a peanut sauce all pair wonderfully.
Can I serve this as a bowl instead?
Definitely—serve the filling over rice or quinoa for a heartier option.
What sides go well with vegan lettuce wraps?
Try miso soup, cucumber salad, or edamame for a light and balanced meal.
Conclusion
Vegan Lettuce Wraps are a deliciously easy way to enjoy a light, protein-rich, and flavor-packed meal. Whether you use tofu, chickpeas, or plant-based crumbles, these wraps are endlessly customizable and perfect for any diet or schedule. Fresh, healthy, and full of texture—they’re bound to become a staple in your kitchen.
Print
Vegan Lettuce Wraps
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 wraps 1x
- Category: Lunch/Snack
- Method: Stovetop + Assembly
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Fresh, flavorful vegan lettuce wraps filled with a savory mix of crunchy vegetables and seasoned plant-based protein, perfect for a light and healthy meal.
Ingredients
- 8 large lettuce leaves (butter, romaine, or iceberg)
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 cup crumbled firm tofu or cooked tempeh
- 1/2 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
- 1/2 cup shredded carrot
- 1/2 cup chopped cucumber
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp freshly grated ginger
- 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp maple syrup or agave (optional)
- 1 tsp sriracha or chili garlic sauce (optional for heat)
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro (optional garnish)
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds (optional garnish)
Instructions
- In a skillet, heat sesame oil over medium heat. Add garlic and ginger, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add crumbled tofu or tempeh and cook for 4–5 minutes until lightly browned.
- Stir in bell pepper, carrot, and cucumber; cook 2–3 minutes to warm through but keep veggies crisp.
- Pour in soy sauce, rice vinegar, maple syrup, and sriracha (if using); stir and cook 1–2 minutes until mixture is evenly coated and slightly saucy.
- Remove from heat and stir in green onions.
- Lay out lettuce leaves and divide filling among them, spooning into the base of each leaf.
- Garnish with cilantro and sesame seeds if desired.
- Fold lettuce around the filling and serve immediately. These wrap best when eaten fresh.
Notes
- Feel free to swap tofu/tempeh with cooked edamame, black beans, or lentils for variety.
- Add chopped nuts like cashews or peanuts for crunch.
- Use gluten-free tamari instead of soy sauce to make it gluten-free.
- Make ahead: store filling and lettuce separately for up to 2 days, then assemble before serving.
- Customize the heat by adjusting sriracha or adding fresh chili slices.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 lettuce wrap
- Calories: 110 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 380 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg