Pork Lettuce Wraps

If you’re in the mood for a light yet satisfying meal or appetizer, these Pork Lettuce Wraps are for you! Bursting with Asian-inspired flavors, these lettuce wraps include bold flavor and spice combinations that will have your mouth watering. They’re also easy to make. Many Asian restaurants use inflammatory ingredients in their dishes. Not so here! These gluten-free wraps come packed with nutrition without a lot of carbs. You get muscle-building protein from organic ground pork. It also supports healthy inflammatory responses thanks to the turmeric and ginger. What’s also great about these lettuce wraps is that you can experiment with different herbs and spices for a variety of flavor profiles. 

Organic Ground Pork

Pork offers such a unique flavor to many dishes. Not only is pork a source of protein, but it also contains vitamins and minerals. You’re going to want to use organic ground pork for this recipe. Shredded pork has its place, but these ground Pork Lettuce Wraps hold all the other flavors together much better. Make sure to choose pasture-raised, hormone and antibiotic-free pork. Antibiotics from meat can transfer to you and cause a host of gut health problems. You may notice pork also comes in varying shades of pink. Also, check to make sure the organic ground pork is fresh, You’ll be able to tell this by looking to see if the meat is pink in color. Avoid any meat that is gray or white. 

Remember how I mentioned you could experiment with different herbs and spices? You can also experiment with different meats! If you have reservations about eating organic ground pork, feel free to swap out for beef or chicken. Again, make sure it’s grass-fed or pasture-raised, as well as antibiotic or hormone-free.

Coconut Aminos vs Soy Sauce

When it comes to sauce, there’s no contest between coconut aminos vs soy sauce. Coconut aminos wins hands down for these Pork Lettuce Wraps, and I’ll tell you why. Soy sauce is a staple in most Asian cuisines. This liquid flavoring agent contains soy, gluten, and MSG, among other ingredients. Those following The Myers Way® need to avoid soy sauce because soy is notorious for mimicking estrogen hormones. In addition, gluten can cause gut irritation, triggering an immune response.

I love using coconut aminos because they don’t have any of these harmful ingredients. It’s the perfect gluten-free alternative that still offers a similar flavor. Coconut aminos come from a combination of sea salt and fermented coconut palm sap. While it has a slightly sweeter taste than traditional soy sauce, it’s still an excellent addition to savory dishes. Research suggests coconut aminos may offer several health benefits. For example, their antioxidants may support a healthy inflammatory response in the body. It may also protect against free radical damage. Coconut aminos are also naturally lower in salt, which can help those with high blood pressure. 

Flavor and Spice

Asian-inspired dishes can be so fun to make. After all, there are endless flavor and spice combinations you can try! These Pork Lettuce Wraps feature a sweet and savory mixture. You’ll love the bold taste of pork and apples with complementing notes of basil, mint, and cilantro. It also comes with the classic foundational flavors of garlic and onion. I even decided to make this a heartier meal option by adding finely chopped carrots and celery. 

What gives these lettuce wraps that true Asian flavor is the turmeric and ginger. I add both fresh and dried ginger for extra zing! Both of these spices contain natural compounds that support healthy immune and inflammatory systems. Turmeric contains curcumin, which helps fight against free radical damage in the body. You’re going to love the fusion of flavors these lettuce wraps bring to the table!

Best Lettuce For Lettuce Wraps

There are so many varieties of lettuce out there. How do you know which is the best lettuce for lettuce wraps? You might think that any lettuce that holds the fillings is good enough, but that is simply not so! When it comes to lettuce wraps, there are several aspects to consider. For example, different varieties of lettuce will have certain textures and tastes. Some are sweeter with tender leaves, while others are more robust with firmer leaves. Then there is the size and shape of the lettuce leaves. Some varieties produce large round leaves, while others produce smaller, more narrow leaves. 

For these Pork Lettuce Wraps, I recommend using lettuce with large, round leaves and a strong rib. The rib is the long centerpiece of each leaf. This helps hold the filling in place. Butter lettuce varieties are great for lettuce wraps. You may also know them by the names Bibb or Boston lettuce. What makes this lettuce perfect for lettuce wraps is that it contains loose-leaf heads with strong but flexible leaves. They also have a mild, almost neutral flavor. This means you can really focus on the filling! Always choose organic lettuce, if you can find a head still attached to the stem, that’s even better. Check to make sure the leaves are vibrant green, and avoid any yellow or wilted leaves. 

How To Make Pork Lettuce Wraps

Are you ready to make delicious Pork Lettuce Wraps filled with flavor and spice? I know I am! Start by gathering your spices, coconut aminos, meat, and lettuce. Since the meat will be raw, keep it away from the other ingredients to prevent cross-contamination. Pull eight leaves of lettuce off and wash them thoroughly. You can pat dry with a towel, or you can let air dry. Chop up your apple until it’s as small as possible. Next, chop up the mint, cilantro, and basil. Set aside in a small bowl. Next, mince your onion and ginger root. Make sure to peel the ginger first. You can add these to the chopped herbs. Slice your carrots and celery into thin slices and set aside. 

In a large pan or skillet, heat the coconut oil over medium heat. Add your onion and let cook for about two minutes. This softens it. After a couple of minutes, add the ginger and garlic cloves. Make sure to stir frequently to avoid burning. Your kitchen will soon begin to smell amazing! After a couple more minutes, add your sliced carrots and celery pieces. Cook for an additional two to three minutes to allow the vegetables to soften further. 

After a few minutes, add the turmeric and ginger powder. Follow up with lemon juice, organic ground pork and apples. Continue cooking for about five minutes. Next, slowly add your coconut aminos, cilantro, basil, and mint. Give everything a good stir to incorporate the flavors.

The organic ground pork should be close to done by now. You can check to make sure there is no pink color remaining. Once the pork finishes cooking, that’s it! Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool slightly. While the pork cools, grab your lettuce leaves and spread them out. Spoon out the mixture into the lettuce leaves and wrap the edges around the filling. Serve right away for best results. 

These Pork Lettuce Wraps pair well with a warm cup of Ginger Root Tea.