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Spicy Shrimp Lettuce Cups

Spicy Shrimp Lettuce Cups

Spicy Shrimp Lettuce Cups

By recipes genie | Published on December 29, 2024

Tools & Equipment

1
Large skillet or wok
2
Cutting board
3
Chef's knife
4
Measuring spoons
5
Measuring cups
6
Whisk
7
Medium bowl
8
Paper towels
9
Salad spinner (optional)

Ingredients

Protein

  • 1
    1 lb Shrimp

Produce

  • 1
    1 head Head of Lettuce
  • 2
    1 piece Red Bell Pepper
  • 3
    2 stalks Green Onions
  • 4
    2 cloves Garlic Cloves
  • 5
    1 piece Lime

Sauces & Spices

  • 1
    2 tbsp Soy Sauce
  • 2
    1 tbsp Sriracha
  • 3
    1 tbsp Honey
  • 4
    1 tsp Sesame Oil
  • 5
    0.5 tsp Ginger Powder
  • 6
    0.25 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
  • 7
    0.25 tsp Salt
  • 8
    0.25 tsp Black Pepper

Garnish

  • 1
    1 tbsp Sesame Seeds

Directions

1

Prepare the Shrimp

Rinse the shrimp under cold water. Ensure all shells are removed. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels to help with searing. This step is crucial for proper browning.

2

Prep the Vegetables

Finely mince the garlic cloves. Thinly slice the green onions, separating the white and green parts. Dice the red bell pepper into small, uniform pieces. Slice the lime into wedges. Keep the ingredients separated to avoid mixing flavors until cooking.

3

Mix the Spicy Glaze

In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, sriracha, honey, sesame oil, ginger powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. This mixture will be the base of our spicy glaze. Taste and adjust the spice level to your preference.

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4

Sear the Shrimp

Place a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add a tablespoon of cooking oil (vegetable or canola oil works best) to the hot pan. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully add the shrimp in a single layer. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan, as this can lower the pan's temperature and lead to steaming instead of searing. Cook for about 2-3 minutes per side until they turn pink and slightly opaque.

5

Sauté Aromatics

Add the minced garlic and the white parts of the green onions to the skillet with the shrimp. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic. Burning will make it taste bitter.

6

Glaze the Shrimp

Pour the prepared spicy glaze over the shrimp and aromatics in the skillet. Toss to coat, ensuring every shrimp is covered in the sauce. Continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and the shrimp to fully cook through. The sauce should have a nice sheen, indicating it has reduced.

7

Add Lime Juice

Remove the shrimp from the heat and squeeze the juice of half a lime over the mixture. Gently stir. The lime will add brightness to the flavor.

8

Prepare Lettuce Cups

Carefully separate the lettuce leaves, choosing the ones with large, cup-like shapes (such as butter lettuce or romaine). Rinse the lettuce leaves thoroughly, and pat them dry with paper towels or use a salad spinner. This ensures the lettuce cups won't be soggy.

9

Assemble Lettuce Cups

To assemble the lettuce cups, spoon a portion of the spicy shrimp mixture into each lettuce cup. Top with the diced red bell pepper, the green parts of the green onion, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Serve immediately with the remaining lime wedges for an extra burst of citrus.

10

Cleanup

Promptly wash all cooking tools and utensils with warm soapy water. Discard any shrimp shells or unused vegetable scraps. Ensure your countertops are also cleaned and disinfected.

Recipe Tips

  • For the best flavor, use fresh, wild-caught shrimp if possible. Frozen shrimp works well too, just make sure it is completely thawed before cooking.
  • If you don't have a wok, a large skillet will work just fine.
  • You can adjust the spiciness by adding more or less sriracha or red pepper flakes.
  • To prevent sogginess, don't add the shrimp mixture to the lettuce cups until you're ready to serve them.
  • For a low-carb option, use a sugar-free sweetener instead of honey.
  • Store leftover shrimp and sauce separately in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently before serving.
  • You can use different types of lettuce such as butter lettuce, romaine, or iceberg depending on your preference.
  • If you don't have sesame seeds, chopped peanuts or almonds make a great alternative.
  • If you don't have fresh limes, bottled lime juice will also work.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Calories

320 kcal

Carbs

25g

Protein

28g

Fat

12g

Fiber

3g

Sugar

14g

Sat. Fat

2g

Sodium

1200mg

Trans Fat

0g

Cholesterol

220mg

Potassium

450mg

Vitamin A

2000%

Vitamin C

25%

Calcium

100%

Iron

2%

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