The Zesty Vietnamese Lettuce Cups with Peanut Drizzle Recipe

Crisp lettuce cups burst with vibrant vietnamese flavors that dance across your palate.

Nestled inside tender green leaves, a delightful mixture promises incredible taste sensations.

Crunchy textures blend seamlessly with smooth, rich peanut sauce.

Light and refreshing ingredients create a perfect balance of complexity.

Delicate herbs mingle with protein, offering a symphony of bright, zesty notes.

Crafted for quick preparation, these elegant cups make entertaining effortless.

You’ll want to savor every delectable bite of this simple yet sophisticated dish.

Why Fresh Vietnamese Lettuce Cups With Creamy Peanut Drizzle Are So Refreshing

• Craft Quickly: Super simple recipe that doesn't require advanced culinary skills, making it perfect for home cooks of all levels.
• Customize Your Feast: Flexible dish allowing endless variations with ingredients, letting everyone build their own personalized lettuce cups.
• Celebrate Fresh Flavors: Packed with vibrant, crisp ingredients that deliver an explosion of Vietnamese-inspired tastes and textures in every bite.
• Serve Anywhere: Versatile meal suitable for casual gatherings, lunch, dinner, or even as a fun interactive dining experience with friends and family.

Ingredients You’ll Need For Fresh Vietnamese Lettuce Cups With Creamy Peanut Drizzle

• Prawns: Fresh seafood that provides the main protein for these Vietnamese lettuce cups.

• Vermicelli Noodles: Thin rice noodles that add a light and delicate texture to the dish.
• Butter Lettuce Leaves: Soft, flexible leaves used as natural wraps for holding the ingredients.

• Carrots, Daikon: Crunchy vegetables pickled to add a tangy and refreshing flavor to the lettuce cups.

• Fresh Mint, Fresh Cilantro: Fragrant herbs that bring brightness and a complex herbal note to the dish.

• Peanut Butter, Soy Sauce, Rice Vinegar, Lime Juice: Key components that create a creamy and tangy peanut drizzle.

• Roasted Peanuts, Fresh Chilli: Crunchy and spicy toppings that add texture and heat to the lettuce cups.

• Sugar, Salt, Water: Balancing ingredients that help create depth in the sauce and pickle mixture.

How To Assemble Fresh Vietnamese Lettuce Cups With Creamy Peanut Drizzle

Step 1: Pickle Colorful Vegetables

Create a tangy pickle mixture by combining hot water with sugar and salt until completely dissolved. Pour in rice vinegar and stir well.

• Carrots
• Daikon radish

Submerge the vegetables in the pickling liquid. Let them sit for at least two hours, allowing the flavors to develop.

These pickled veggies can be stored in the refrigerator for several weeks.

Step 2: Whip Up Creamy Peanut Sauce

Grab a mixing bowl and combine all sauce ingredients until smooth.

Let the sauce rest to allow the flavors to blend and intensify. The sauce will become more flavorful as it sits.

Step 3: Cook Delicate Rice Noodles

Boil water and follow the vermicelli noodle package instructions for perfect cooking. Once done, drain the noodles completely and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.

Set aside and let cool.

Step 4: Prepare Succulent Prawns

Clean the prawns carefully.

Using a sharp knife, slice each prawn in half lengthwise. Remove the dark vein running along the back of each prawn for a cleaner, more appetizing presentation.

Step 5: Arrange Beautiful Ingredients

• Fresh lettuce leaves
• Cooked prawns
• Cooled rice noodles
• Pickled vegetables
• Fresh herbs
• Crushed peanuts

Step 6: Craft Delightful Lettuce Wraps

Take a crisp lettuce leaf as your base. Layer with rice noodles, pickled vegetables, fresh herbs, and prawns.

Drizzle generously with the creamy peanut sauce. Sprinkle with crushed peanuts and chili for an extra kick.

Fold the lettuce leaf into a convenient wrap and enjoy the explosion of flavors!

Tips To Elevate Fresh Vietnamese Lettuce Cups With Creamy Peanut Drizzle

• Pickle vegetables at least 2 hours ahead for maximum flavor infusion and crisp texture.
• Rinse vermicelli noodles with cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticky clumping.
• Cut prawns lengthwise for better texture and faster cooking, ensuring even seasoning.
• Prep all ingredients before assembly to create a smooth, stress-free dining experience.
• Keep peanut sauce on the side for guests to control their own dressing and customize heat levels.

Creative Twists On Fresh Vietnamese Lettuce Cups With Creamy Peanut Drizzle

• Tofu Transformation: Swap prawns with crispy pan-fried tofu cubes for a vegetarian version, marinating tofu in soy sauce and garlic before cooking.
• Chicken Fusion: Replace prawns with grilled, shredded chicken seasoned with lemongrass and ginger for a protein-packed alternative.
• Mushroom Medley: Use sautéed exotic mushrooms like shiitake or oyster instead of prawns, adding a rich, earthy flavor to the lettuce cups.
• Vegan Veggie Burst: Create a plant-based option by using roasted tempeh, adding extra vegetables like bell peppers and cucumber for crunch.

What Goes Well With Fresh Vietnamese Lettuce Cups With Creamy Peanut Drizzle

• Perfectly Pair Flavor Explosion: Match zesty Vietnamese lettuce cups with crisp, refreshing beverages that complement the dish's complex taste profile.
• Bright White Wine Harmony: Select a chilled Riesling or Gewürztraminer with slight sweetness to balance the spicy, tangy prawns and creamy peanut sauce.
• Cool Herbal Beverage Blend: Brew fresh Vietnamese-style iced tea with mint and lemongrass, creating a light, aromatic companion that echoes the dish's herbal notes.
• Beer Pairing Adventure: Choose a light Asian lager like Singha or Tiger Beer, whose clean, crisp character cuts through the rich peanut sauce and refreshes the palate.

How To Store Fresh Vietnamese Lettuce Cups With Creamy Peanut Drizzle

• Refrigerator Storage: Transfer leftovers to airtight containers, separating wet and dry ingredients. Keep pickled veggies, prawns, and sauce in separate sealed containers for up to 3 days.
• Freezing Option: Freeze sauce and prawns individually in freezer-safe bags for maximum 2 weeks. Avoid freezing lettuce and herbs as they'll lose texture and freshness.
• Reheating Prawns: Gently warm prawns in microwave using 15-second intervals, or quickly sauté in hot pan to prevent overcooking. Add splash of water to maintain moisture.
• Quick Reassembly: When ready to eat, quickly warm prawns, refresh lettuce leaves, and recreate wraps with chilled ingredients for a speedy meal that tastes almost freshly made.

FAQs For Fresh Vietnamese Lettuce Cups With Creamy Peanut Drizzle

• What ingredients can I substitute in this recipe?

Use similar textured seafood like scallops or firm white fish instead of prawns. Replace daikon with cucumber if unavailable. Swiss chard or butter lettuce work as lettuce cup alternatives.

• How spicy is this dish?

The recipe has mild heat from optional chilli. You can control spice level by adjusting chilli amount or using mild pepper varieties. Remove seeds for less heat.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, when using gluten-free vermicelli noodles and checking sauce ingredients for potential gluten. Tamari sauce can replace regular soy sauce to ensure gluten-free status.

• Can I prepare components ahead of time?

Absolutely. Pickled vegetables can be made days in advance. Sauce and noodles can be prepared several hours before serving, keeping ingredients separately to maintain freshness.

Fresh Vietnamese Lettuce Cups with Creamy Peanut Drizzle Recipe

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4.5 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Savory vietnamese lettuce cups bring an explosion of Southeast Asian flavors dancing across your palate. Crisp lettuce leaves cradling spiced protein and drizzled with silky peanut sauce promise a light yet satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein Ingredients:

• 300 grams (10 ounces) cooked prawns/shrimp, halved horizontally

Vegetable and Fresh Herb Ingredients:

• 12–20 small lettuce leaves (baby cos, butter lettuce, or iceberg)
• 2 medium carrots, julienned or pickled
• 1/2 daikon (white radish), julienned or pickled
• 2 cups bean sprouts
• 2 cucumbers, julienned
• 2 cups mint leaves
• 2 cups coriander (or use chives + more mint as a sub)
• 3 red bird’s eye chillies, thinly sliced (optional)

Noodle and Garnish Ingredients:

• 75 grams (2.5 ounces) dried vermicelli noodles
• 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, finely chopped

Quick Pickled Vegetables (optional):

• 2 medium carrots, peeled and julienned
• 1/2 daikon, peeled and julienned
• 1 1/2 cups boiling water
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 4 teaspoons kosher salt
• 3/4 cup rice wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)

Vietnamese Peanut Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter (unsweetened)
• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 1–2 tablespoons lime juice (or rice vinegar)
• 1/3 cup low-fat coconut milk
• 1 large garlic clove

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Instructions

1. Craft vibrant pickled vegetables by dissolving sugar and salt in boiling water, then incorporating vinegar. Immerse julienned carrots and daikon, allowing them to marinate for a minimum of 2 hours or store in refrigerator for extended preservation.
2. Create the peanut drizzle by thoroughly blending sauce components in a mixing bowl, permitting flavors to harmonize and intensify while resting.
3. Hydrate vermicelli noodles in boiling water according to package guidance, then carefully drain and rinse with cold water to halt cooking process.
4. Transform prawns by slicing lengthwise and meticulously removing dark digestive tracts for optimal presentation and cleanliness.
5. Artfully arrange platter with crisp lettuce leaves, prepared prawns, cooled noodles, pickled vegetables, aromatic herbs, and crunchy peanuts.
6. Construct personalized lettuce wraps by layering noodles, pickled vegetables, fragrant herbs, and delicate prawns within each verdant leaf.
7. Generously drizzle peanut sauce over assembled wrap, garnish with crushed peanuts and fiery chilli, then elegantly fold and savor the intricate flavor profile.

Notes

• Prep pickled veggies ahead of time to enhance flavor and save cooking time on the day of serving.
• Customize protein by swapping prawns with tofu, chicken, or plant-based alternatives for dietary preferences.
• Keep sauce ingredients at room temperature for better blending and smoother consistency.
• Rinse noodles with cold water immediately after cooking to prevent overcooking and maintain a fresh, springy texture.

• Prep Time: 2 hours
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Pickling
• Cuisine: Vietnamese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 12g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fiber: 6g
• Protein: 18g
• Cholesterol: 150mg