Spicy Shrimp Lettuce Cups (Print View)

Vibrant shrimp with crisp vegetables and tangy sauce served in cool leafy wraps for a healthy bite.

# Components:

→ Shrimp

01 - 1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 garlic clove, minced
04 - 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
05 - 1 teaspoon sriracha or chili sauce (adjust to taste)
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Vegetables & Greens

08 - 1 head butter lettuce or iceberg lettuce, leaves separated and washed
09 - 1 medium carrot, julienned
10 - 1 small cucumber, julienned
11 - 1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
12 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
13 - Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

→ Sauce

14 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
15 - 1 tablespoon lime juice
16 - 1 teaspoon sriracha
17 - 1 teaspoon honey
18 - 1 teaspoon soy sauce or tamari (for gluten-free)

# Preparation Steps:

01 - In a bowl, combine shrimp with olive oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, sriracha, salt, and black pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp mixture and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side until shrimp turn pink and are cooked through. Remove from heat and set aside.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lime juice, sriracha, honey, and soy sauce until smooth and well combined.
04 - Arrange lettuce leaves on a serving platter. Fill each leaf with cooked shrimp, julienned carrot, cucumber, sliced red bell pepper, and green onions.
05 - Drizzle the prepared sauce over the lettuce cups or serve on the side. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in 30 minutes with minimal dishes, because sometimes the best meals don't require a cleanup adventure.
  • It tastes indulgent but feels light—crispy lettuce leaves, tender shrimp, and a creamy sauce that somehow won't weigh you down.
  • Infinitely customizable; whatever vegetables you have on hand become part of the story.
02 -
  • Don't overcook the shrimp; it takes seconds for them to go from perfect to rubbery, and no sauce can fix that.
  • Pat the lettuce leaves dry before serving—any water left on them makes the whole thing slide around and fall apart.
03 -
  • Buy shrimp the day you plan to cook them, or thaw frozen ones slowly in the refrigerator overnight—quick thawing under water works, but patience rewards you with better texture.
  • For extra crunch and staying power, toast thinly sliced almonds or sesame seeds and scatter them over each cup right before serving.
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