Healthy Vegan Lettuce Wraps

Healthy Vegan Lettuce Wraps are a quick, easy, and healthy dinner idea! Leftovers also make a quick lunch the next day.

Vegan lettuce wraps on a white platter with limes and a small bowl of peanuts in the background.

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Vegan lettuce wrap ingredients
How to make vegan lettuce wraps
Top tips
FAQ
More tempeh recipes
Recipe

I'll be honest. I set out to make a vegetarian lettuce wrap, and when I was done it was amazing, I loved it, and then I realized that it was, in fact, vegan.

This really isn't a problem, it just goes to show that vegan food is much more accessible than we may think. Not to mention when it comes to healthy meals, you can't do much better than wrapping it in lettuce!

These lettuce wraps have quickly become one of my favorite summer dinners. Not only do they taste good, but they're also good for you thanks to a variety of veggies, plant-based protein, and leafy greens.

Vegan lettuce wrap ingredients

Olive oil
Onion
Red bell pepper
Garlic
Ginger
Tempeh
Tamari
Lime juice
Green onion
Butter lettuce
Carrots
Red cabbage
Peanuts
Cilantro
Sriracha

How to make vegan lettuce wraps

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the yellow onion and red bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 6 minutes.
Add garlic and ginger and stir 30 seconds or until fragrant.
Add the tempeh and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
Add the soy sauce, lime juice, and green onions and stir to combine. Remove from the heat.
Place about 2 tablespoons each of shredded carrots and cabbage in each lettuce leaf. Scoop large spoonfuls of the tempeh mixture on top and sprinkle with chopped peanuts, fresh cilantro, extra green onions, and sriracha if desired.

Top tips

Where to find tempeh

Tempeh can be found near the other natural and organic refrigerated products or meat substitutes in most grocery stores. It is usually sold in a block. It is sold in several flavors, but you'll want a plain tempeh for this recipe.

How to store vegan lettuce wraps

You can make this recipe ahead of time or store any leftover filling in an covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Leftovers can be rewarmed in the microwave or a skillet over medium heat. I recommend storing lettuce and toppings separately.

You can also freeze the tempeh filling in a zip top freezer bag or other airtight container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating as recommended above.

Tips for customizing healthy vegan lettuce wraps

Make a sauce to drizzle over the top by combining tahini, lemon juice, and sriracha to taste

If you don't like tempeh you could cook crumbles of my walnut burger mix and fill with that

Swap the butter lettuce for romaine leaves, swiss chard, or any large leafy green

Use tortillas instead of lettuce

Close up of vegan lettuce wraps on a platter with a lime cut in half next to it.

FAQ

What is tempeh?

Tempeh is a fermented soybean product. Ground tempeh has a really meaty texture but is entirely plant based and sometimes gluten-free (check your specific brand).

My tempeh is gray, is it safe to eat?

Tempeh can sometimes develop dark spots before opening the package. This is caused by the fungus that is used to ferment the soybeans and is completely normal and safe to eat. The dark spots will not affect the taste or texture at all.

Can tempeh be eaten raw?

There is mixed information out there on whether or not you can eat raw tempeh. This is because most packaged tempeh is pasteurized, making it safe to eat raw. If you were to find fresh tempeh, it is recommended that you cook it before eating.

Because of this, I recommend always cooking tempeh before eating it. There is no nutritional or other benefit to eating raw tempeh, making it unnecessary anyways.