My Spicy Peanut Beef Lettuce Wraps with Bang Bang Sauce are a vibrant, flavorful dish that offers a delightful balance of heat, crunch, and creaminess.
The star of the dish is the ground beef, cooked with a spicy peanut sauce that infuses it with rich, nutty flavors and a subtle heat. The savory beef is perfectly complemented by the refreshing crunch of crisp lettuce, which acts as the perfect low-carb wrap for this bold filling.
The Bang Bang Sauce adds an extra layer of taste, blending creamy mayonnaise with a hint of sweetness, spiciness, and tang. Best of all, it’s only 3 ingredients: mayonnaise, sriracha, and sweet chili sauce, which brings a creamy, zesty finish to the wraps.
What makes these lettuce wraps particularly appealing is their versatility. They can be served as a light appetizer, a fun party dish, or even a quick weeknight dinner. The dish is customizable too—you can add toppings like shredded carrots, cucumbers, or fresh herbs for added texture and freshness.
Bang Bang Sauce
Homemade Bang Bang Sauce brings the perfect balance of creamy, sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors, making it incredibly versatile. One of the key reasons it’s so good is that you can customize it to your taste preferences. With simple ingredients like mayonnaise, sriracha, and sweet chili sauce, you can easily adjust the heat, sweetness, or acidity depending on what you’re serving it with. Find my recommended products for it here.
Things You Can Use Bang Bang Sauce For:
Fried chicken – Use it as a sauce for chicken tenders, nuggets, or fried chicken.
Shrimp – Toss crispy fried shrimp in Bang Bang sauce for the classic “Bang Bang Shrimp” dish.
Chicken wings – Coat grilled or fried wings in Bang Bang sauce for a creamy, spicy kick.
Tacos – Drizzle it over fish, chicken, or shrimp tacos for a zesty twist.
Burgers – Spread it on a burger bun to give your sandwich a flavorful, spicy edge.
Grilled vegetables – Serve it as a dipping sauce for roasted or grilled vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or asparagus.
French fries – Use it as a dipping sauce for fries, sweet potato fries, or tater tots.
Egg rolls or spring rolls – Perfect as a dip for crispy appetizers.
Rice bowls – Drizzle it over rice bowls with grilled meats or veggies for added creaminess and flavor.
Sichuan Pepper Peanuts
I absolutely love using Tingly Peanuts from 50 Hertz for these lettuce wraps. 50 Hertz Sichuan Peanuts are a standout product for anyone who loves bold, spicy flavors. These peanuts are coated in the signature Sichuan peppercorns, delivering a unique numbing spice sensation known as “mala” (麻辣), a combination of numbing heat and aromatic spices.
This flavor is extremely popular in Chinese cuisine. Whether eaten on their own or sprinkled over meals like noodle dishes, salads, or stir-fries, these peanuts add a dynamic, bold kick.
Beyond their Sichuan peanuts, 50 Hertz offers a range of Sichuan-inspired products that are beloved for their quality and authentic flavors. Be sure to check them out! It’s hard to find authentic Sichuan products outside of China.
Spicy Peanut Beef Lettuce Wraps with Bang Bang Sauce
- Total Time: 15 minutes
Description
Spicy Peanut Beef Lettuce Wraps with Bang Bang Sauce combine savory, nutty ground beef with crisp lettuce, topped with a creamy, spicy-sweet sauce for a deliciously bold and refreshing bite.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 3 tablespoons peanut butter (I used chunky peanut butter, but any type will do.)
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/4 cup peanuts (for topping; I used Sichuan peppercorn peanuts for a kick and tingling spice, but regular peanuts work great, too!)
- 1 head of butter lettuce or romaine leaves, separated
Homemade Bang Bang Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 2–3 tablespoons sriracha (adjust to taste/spice preference)
Optional Toppings:
- Shredded carrots
- Cucumber slices
- Fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Begin by making the Bang Bang Sauce. In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha. Set aside.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and onions and cook until the beef is browned, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks.
- To the same skillet, add the peanut butter, soy sauce, sesame oil, and honey. Stir to coat evenly. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the sauce is well incorporated.
- Spoon the spicy peanut beef into each lettuce leaf. Drizzle with the Bang Bang sauce and sprinkle with chopped peanuts for added crunch. Serve with lime wedges on the side for a fresh squeeze of citrus, and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3-4
I used to eat lettuce wraps when I went to a Thai restaurant growing up. Been looking for a recipe to try on my own!
Hi Carter – so glad you found this one!
Crunchy lettuce plus creamy peanut sauce was an awesome contrast.
Thank you for your review, Mira! 🙂