Fresh Spring Roll Lettuce Cups with Creamy Peanut Sauce Recipe
These Fresh Spring Roll Lettuce Cups are a light and vibrant appetizer or snack featuring crisp bibb lettuce filled with fresh veggies, optional protein, and a creamy, zesty peanut sauce. Perfect for a quick, healthy bite that you can customize with shrimp, chicken, or tofu.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian (if no animal protein used), Halal (if protein is halal), Low Lactose
Ingredients
Scale
Fresh Ingredients
- Bibb lettuce or butter lettuce leaves, washed and separated
- 1 cup shredded carrots (about 120 g)
- 1 cup julienned cucumber (about 120 g)
- Fresh mint leaves, torn
- Fresh cilantro leaves
- Thinly sliced red bell pepper
- Cooked shrimp, chicken, or tofu (optional protein)
- 1 ounce cooked thin rice vermicelli noodles, drained (optional)
Peanut Sauce
- ¼ cup smooth natural peanut butter (about 64 g)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 30 ml)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari (about 15 ml)
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (about 7 g)
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (about 2 g)
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 2–3 tablespoons warm water (about 30–45 ml)
- Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes or sriracha for heat
Instructions
- Prepare Lettuce Leaves: Gently separate the bibb lettuce leaves, rinse under cold water, and pat dry with paper towels. Set aside on a large plate or tray.
- Prepare Vegetables: Peel and shred 1 cup of carrots, julienne 1 cup of cucumber, thinly slice a small red bell pepper, and pick fresh mint and cilantro leaves. Place all veggies in a bowl and toss lightly to mix.
- Prepare Protein and Noodles: If using shrimp, chicken, or tofu, cook it to your liking—grilled or sautéed works well. For noodles, cook 1 ounce of rice vermicelli according to package instructions, drain, and rinse under cold water. Set aside.
- Make Peanut Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together ¼ cup smooth natural peanut butter, 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari, 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup, 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger, and 1 minced garlic clove. Gradually add 2-3 tablespoons warm water to reach a creamy, dippable consistency. Adjust seasoning to taste, adding a pinch of red pepper flakes if desired.
- Assemble Lettuce Cups: Lay out a lettuce leaf and fill it with a small handful of the veggie mix, a few herbs, a bit of protein or noodles if using, then drizzle or dip with peanut sauce. Each cup should be filled just enough to fold comfortably.
- Serve: Serve immediately for maximum crunch. If prepping ahead, keep components separate and assemble just before serving.
Notes
- Serve immediately for maximum crunch.
- If prepping ahead, keep components separate and assemble just before serving.
Keywords: Fresh spring roll lettuce cups, peanut sauce lettuce wraps, easy lettuce appetizers, healthy spring rolls, gluten free appetizers
