Embark on a flavorful journey with our Spicy Thai Chili Meatball Lettuce Wraps! This recipe is a vibrant fusion of global influences, bringing together the bold, zesty flavors of Thai cuisine with the ease and versatility of a handheld dish. Whether you’re craving a healthy weeknight meal or a crowd-pleasing appetizer, these mouthwatering meatballs nestled in crisp lettuce cups are sure to delight your senses and bring people together.
Why You’ll Love This Spicy Thai Chili Meatball Lettuce Wraps
These Spicy Thai Chili Meatball Lettuce Wraps are a must-try for anyone who loves bold, craveable flavors with a touch of heat. The juicy meatballs are infused with lemongrass, ginger, and Thai chili, creating a delightful balance of sweet, sour, and spicy notes. The cool, crisp lettuce cups provide the perfect canvas to showcase these flavor-packed bites, making for a light yet satisfying meal or snack. Plus, the hands-on, interactive nature of these wraps encourages everyone to get involved and customize their perfect bite, fostering a fun, social dining experience.
Ingredients
The key ingredients for our Spicy Thai Chili Meatball Lettuce Wraps include ground turkey or chicken, lemongrass, fresh ginger, Thai chili peppers, fish sauce, lime juice, and a variety of aromatic herbs and spices. To complete the dish, we’ll use crunchy lettuce leaves, sliced cucumber, and a zesty Thai-inspired sauce for drizzling.
- 1 lb – Ground turkey or chicken
- 2 tbsp – Finely minced lemongrass
- 1 tbsp – Grated fresh ginger
- 2-3 – Thai chili peppers, finely minced (adjust to taste)
- 2 tbsp – Fish sauce
- 2 tbsp – Fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp – Garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Crisp lettuce leaves (such as romaine or butter lettuce)
- 1 cucumber, sliced
Ingredient Substitutions
- Protein: You can use ground beef or pork in place of the turkey or chicken.
- Vegetarian: Try using finely chopped mushrooms or plant-based ground meat for a meatless option.
How to Make Spicy Thai Chili Meatball Lettuce Wraps
Begin by preparing your ingredients. Finely mince the lemongrass, ginger, and Thai chili peppers. In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey or chicken, minced lemongrass, ginger, Thai chili peppers, fish sauce, lime juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until the ingredients are well incorporated.
Step 1: Meatball Formation
Using your hands or a small cookie scoop, form the mixture into bite-sized meatballs, about 1-inch in diameter.
Step 2: Cooking the Meatballs
Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add a drizzle of oil. Working in batches if necessary, add the meatballs to the hot pan and cook, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer the cooked meatballs to a plate and set aside.
Step 3: Sauce Preparation
In a small bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the Thai-inspired sauce: fish sauce, lime juice, honey, and chopped cilantro.
Step 4: Assembling the Wraps
To assemble the lettuce wraps, place a few of the cooked meatballs into the center of a crisp lettuce leaf. Top with sliced cucumber, a drizzle of the Thai sauce, and any additional garnishes like chopped peanuts or sliced green onions. Serve the Spicy Thai Chili Meatball Lettuce Wraps immediately, encouraging your guests to customize their wraps to their liking.
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Serve Over Rice: For a heartier meal, serve the Spicy Thai Chili Meatballs over a bed of fragrant jasmine rice or quinoa.
- Larger Lettuce Leaves: Turn this dish into a main course by arranging the meatballs and toppings on a platter and providing larger lettuce leaves, such as romaine or butter lettuce, for guests to assemble their own wraps.
- Additional Toppings: Enhance the Thai flavors by adding grated carrot, diced mango, or shredded red cabbage to the lettuce cups. For a crunchy element, sprinkle crushed peanuts or toasted coconut flakes over the top.
- Milder Heat: If you prefer a milder heat, reduce the amount of Thai chili peppers or substitute with a milder variety, such as serrano or jalapeño.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: The Spicy Thai Chili Meatball Lettuce Wraps are best served immediately for maximum freshness and crunch.
Storage: The cooked meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. The lettuce leaves can be washed, dried, and stored in the refrigerator in a resealable bag or container lined with paper towels. The Thai-inspired sauce can also be made in advance and kept in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Reheat: To serve, simply reheat the meatballs and prepare the lettuce cups and toppings.
Make-Ahead: The meatballs can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator or freezer until ready to assemble the wraps.
Nutrition Information
Our Spicy Thai Chili Meatball Lettuce Wraps offer a nutritious and balanced meal option. Each serving provides a good source of lean protein from the ground turkey or chicken, as well as fiber and vitamins from the crisp lettuce and fresh vegetables. The use of aromatic herbs and spices adds antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties to the dish, making it a flavorful and wholesome choice.
- Serving Size: 2-3 meatballs with toppings
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Protein: 28 g
- Carbs: 10 g
- Fat: 12 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the meatballs ahead of time?
Absolutely! The meatballs can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. This makes them a convenient option for quick assembly when you’re ready to serve.
Can I use a different protein?
Yes, you can easily substitute the ground turkey or chicken with ground beef or pork. For a vegetarian option, try using finely chopped mushrooms or plant-based ground meat.
How can I adjust the spice level?
To control the level of heat, you can adjust the amount of Thai chili peppers used in the meatball mixture. For a milder version, use fewer chili peppers or swap them for a milder variety, such as serrano or jalapeño.
Can I make this dish gluten-free?
Yes, this recipe can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free soy sauce or tamari in place of the regular fish sauce. Additionally, be sure to check the labels of any other pre-made ingredients to ensure they are gluten-free.
How long do the leftovers keep?
The cooked meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. The assembled lettuce wraps are best enjoyed immediately for maximum freshness and crunch, but the individual components can be prepared in advance and assembled just before serving.
Try These Next
- Spicy Thai Pineapple Chicken Lettuce Wraps
- Spicy Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps
- Thai Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Spicy Thai Chili Meatball Lettuce Wraps
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: 🌍 Global Flavors & Street Food
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Thai
Description
These Spicy Thai Chili Meatball Lettuce Wraps are a flavorful and healthy twist on traditional meatball recipes. Packed with spices and served in fresh lettuce, they make for a perfect appetizer or light meal.
Ingredients
– 1 pound ground chicken
– 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
– 1/4 cup chopped green onions
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
– 1 tablespoon soy sauce
– 1 tablespoon fish sauce
– 1 tablespoon chili paste
– 1 teaspoon sesame oil
– 1 teaspoon lime juice
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1 head of iceberg lettuce, leaves separated
– Fresh cilantro and lime wedges for serving
Instructions
1.
2. 1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
3. 2. In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, green onions, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, fish sauce, chili paste, sesame oil, lime juice, salt, and pepper.
4. 3. Mix until well combined and form into small meatballs (about 1 inch in diameter).
5. 4. Place meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
6. 5. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until cooked through and golden brown.
7. 6. To serve, place meatballs in lettuce leaves, top with fresh cilantro, and serve with lime wedges.
Notes
– For extra spice, increase the amount of chili paste.
– You can substitute ground chicken with ground turkey or pork if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 wrap
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: meatballs, lettuce wraps, Thai, spicy, healthy