Imagine a dish that combines the smoky richness of bacon, the warmth of curry, and the crisp freshness of butter lettuce - all in one incredible bite! These Curry Pork Lettuce Wraps are not just a meal; they're a culinary adventure that will transport your taste buds to a world of Asian-inspired deliciousness. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or an impressive appetizer that will have your friends begging for the recipe, these lettuce wraps are about to become your new obsession.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: Asian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground pork
- 4 slices applewood smoked bacon, chopped
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
- 1 head of butter lettuce, leaves separated
- 1 carrot, shredded
- 1 cucumber, diced
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients by washing and chopping: mince ginger, shred carrot, dice cucumber, and separate butter lettuce leaves.
- In a large skillet, cook chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy and fat is rendered, approximately 4-5 minutes. Remove bacon pieces and set aside, leaving bacon fat in the pan.
- Add ground pork to the same skillet with bacon drippings. Break meat into small crumbles using a wooden spoon and cook over medium-high heat for 6-7 minutes until fully browned.
- Sprinkle curry powder and minced ginger over the pork. Stir thoroughly to distribute spices evenly and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
- Pour soy sauce into the skillet, stirring to combine. Cook for another 1-2 minutes to allow flavors to meld and sauce to slightly reduce.
- Return crispy bacon pieces to the skillet and mix into the pork mixture.
- Remove skillet from heat and let mixture rest for 2-3 minutes to cool slightly.
- Arrange butter lettuce leaves on a serving platter. Fill each leaf with the curry pork mixture.
- Top each lettuce wrap with shredded carrots, diced cucumber, and fresh cilantro.
- Serve immediately while pork mixture is warm and lettuce is crisp.
Tips
- Choose the Right Lettuce: Butter lettuce is key for these wraps. Its soft, flexible leaves create the perfect vessel for the savory pork mixture.
- Bacon Fat is Flavor Gold: Don't drain the bacon fat! Cooking the pork in those drippings adds an incredible depth of flavor you won't get otherwise.
- Crisp is King: Make sure to cook the ground pork until it's nicely browned. This develops a rich, caramelized flavor that takes the dish to the next level.
- Fresh Herbs Matter: Use fresh cilantro for garnishing. The bright, fresh flavor cuts through the richness of the pork and adds a beautiful finishing touch.
- Prep Ahead: Chop all your vegetables and have ingredients ready before you start cooking. This makes the process smooth and prevents overcooking.
- Serve Immediately: These wraps are best enjoyed right away while the pork is warm and the lettuce is crisp. Prep your serving platter in advance to serve quickly.Pro Tip: For extra heat, add a splash of sriracha or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to the pork mixture!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 6g
Protein: 28g
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 95mg
