Spicy Shrimp Lettuce Cups (Printable Version)

A vibrant mix of spicy shrimp and crisp vegetables wrapped in refreshing lettuce leaves.

# What You'll Need:

→ Shrimp

01 - 1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 garlic clove, minced
04 - 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
05 - 1 tsp sriracha or chili sauce (adjust to taste)
06 - 1/2 tsp salt
07 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Vegetables & Greens

08 - 1 head butter lettuce or iceberg lettuce, leaves separated and washed
09 - 1 medium carrot, julienned
10 - 1 small cucumber, julienned
11 - 1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
12 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
13 - Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

→ Sauce

14 - 2 tbsp mayonnaise
15 - 1 tbsp lime juice
16 - 1 tsp sriracha
17 - 1 tsp honey
18 - 1 tsp soy sauce or tamari (gluten-free option)

# Directions:

01 - Combine shrimp, olive oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, sriracha, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Toss until shrimp are evenly coated.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp mixture and cook 2 to 3 minutes per side until shrimp turn pink and are cooked through. Remove from heat and set aside.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lime juice, sriracha, honey, and soy sauce until smooth.
04 - Arrange lettuce leaves on a serving platter. Fill each leaf with cooked shrimp, julienned carrot, cucumber, sliced red bell pepper, and green onions.
05 - Drizzle or serve with the prepared sauce and garnish with chopped fresh cilantro.
06 - Serve immediately as an appetizer or light main course.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • No cooking experience required, and your guests will assume you're a skilled cook.
  • Everything comes together in about thirty minutes, leaving you time to actually enjoy people instead of being stuck in the kitchen.
  • The cool lettuce against warm, spiced shrimp creates this satisfying contrast that makes you want to eat five more.
02 -
  • Don't overcook the shrimp or they'll turn rubbery and the whole dish loses its appeal, keep them just barely pink in the center.
  • Pat your lettuce leaves dry before filling them, otherwise the sauce will make them soggy and they'll fall apart when you try to eat them.
  • The sauce can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to two days, which makes this an easy entertaining option.
03 -
  • Buy your shrimp from a fishmonger if possible, they're fresher and they'll help you with deveining if you ask nicely.
  • The lime juice in the sauce brightens everything, so don't skip it or use bottled if you can help it, fresh makes a real difference.
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