P.F. Chang's Lettuce Wraps: A Delicious and Surprisingly Easy Recipe to Make at Home
P.F. Chang's lettuce wraps are a legendary appetizer, known for their flavorful combination of seasoned ground chicken or turkey, water chestnuts, and a vibrant sauce. While the restaurant version is undeniably delicious, you might be surprised to learn how easy it is to recreate this restaurant favorite in your own kitchen! This recipe will guide you through creating a dish that's both authentic in taste and simple to prepare.
What You'll Need: Ingredients for Restaurant-Quality Lettuce Wraps
This recipe focuses on the classic P.F. Chang's flavors, emphasizing fresh ingredients and easy-to-find pantry staples. You won't need any special or hard-to-find ingredients.
For the Filling:
- 1 lb ground chicken or turkey (ground pork works well too!)
- 1/2 cup finely chopped water chestnuts (canned, drained)
- 1/4 cup finely chopped green onions
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For Serving:
- 1 head butter lettuce, leaves separated and washed
- Optional Toppings: chopped peanuts, sesame seeds, cilantro
Step-by-Step Instructions: Mastering the P.F. Chang's Lettuce Wrap Technique
Follow these simple steps to achieve that perfect P.F. Chang's taste at home:
Preparing the Filling:
- Brown the meat: In a large skillet or wok, brown the ground chicken or turkey over medium-high heat. Break up any clumps with a spoon. Drain off any excess fat.
- Sauté aromatics: Add the garlic and ginger to the skillet and sauté for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Combine ingredients: Stir in the water chestnuts, green onions, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, cornstarch, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook until the sauce thickens and the mixture is heated through, about 2-3 minutes.
- Season: Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Assembling the Lettuce Wraps:
- Prepare the lettuce: Carefully separate the butter lettuce leaves and wash them thoroughly. Pat them dry.
- Fill the lettuce cups: Spoon a generous amount of the chicken mixture into each lettuce leaf.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish with chopped peanuts, sesame seeds, and/or cilantro, if desired. Serve immediately.
Tips and Variations for the Ultimate Lettuce Wrap Experience
- Spice it up: Add more red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha for extra heat.
- Get creative with protein: Substitute ground beef or shrimp for the chicken or turkey.
- Add some crunch: Include finely chopped carrots or bell peppers to the filling.
- Make it vegetarian: Replace the ground meat with crumbled tofu or mushrooms.
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