• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Meal Plan Addict

Get organized with meal times

  • Shop
  • Freebies
  • Recipes
  • Tips & Tricks
  • About
  • Work With Me
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Shop
  • Freebies
  • Recipes
  • Tips & Tricks
  • About
  • Work With Me
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Shop
    • Freebies
    • Recipes
    • Tips & Tricks
    • About
    • Work With Me
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
  • ×
    Home » Meal Prep Lunch » Gochujang Beef Lettuce Cups

    Gochujang Beef Lettuce Cups

    Published: Jan 10, 2019 · Modified: Apr 6, 2021 by Steph · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · About 3 minutes to read this article.

    Gochujang Beef Lettuce Cups
    Easy Dinner Gochujang Beef Lettuce Wraps | Meal Plan Addict
    Gochujang Beef Lettuce Wraps | Meal Plan Addict
    Meal Prep Gochujang Beef Lettuce Wraps | Meal Plan Addict

    Gochujang Beef Lettuce Cups are a quick weeknight dinner, an easy prep ahead lunch, or double up for a good freezer friendly batch cooking recipe. 

    Gochujang Beef Lettuce Cups4

     

    A recipe that is good for dinner AND for lunch meal prep... YES PLEASE.

    Also, I basically love anything that I can put into a lettuce cup!

    My friend Urvashi, over on TwoSleevers.com has inspired me to pick up new to me kitchen ingredients and play with them. She is originally from India and now lives in Dallas, Texas, so the lady knows her spices!

    If you are not familiar with Gochujang paste it is a staple in Korean cooking. It is a red chili paste that also contains fermented soy beans. It is a spicy devil, but you can control the spice level by adjusting how much you use.

    Because of her, Gochujang paste is one of those ingredients that I have in my pantry now and started to play with.

    Gochujang Beef Lettuce Cups2

    This recipe is also freezer friendly (minus the lettuce of course) so I will often double up the recipe, portion into sandwich size freezer zip bags and have a few lunches ready to go. Just add the fresh lettuce cups! 

    Gochujang Beef Lettuce Cups5

    Now let's talk lettuce cups. I do these a few ways. I have used romaine hearts - they work. I have used butter lettuce - too but zero crunch, which I love. But my go to lettuce cup - iceberg. Okay iceberg is basically water, but I love the crunch factor and they are easy to prep. Basically cut the head in half! 

    So, make this for dinner, put it in 2 compartment meal prep containers for lunches, or double up and freeze it in zip bags. Lots of options for the Gochujang Beef Lettuce Cups.

    Gochujang Beef Lettuce Cups

     

    Gochujang Beef Lettuce Cups4
    Print Pin
    2.75 from 12 votes

    Gochujang Beef Lettuce Cups

    Gochujang Beef Lettuce Cups are a quick weeknight dinner, an easy prep ahead lunch, or double up for a good freezer friendly batch cooking recipe. 
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 15 minutes
    Total Time 20 minutes
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 233kcal

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb lean ground beef
    • ¼ cup honey (or sweetener of choice)
    • 2 tbsp sesame oil
    • 2 tbsp soy sauce
    • 1 clove garlic, minced
    • 1 tbsp minced ginger
    • 2 tbsp gochujang paste
    • ¼ cup water (add a bit more if the paste doesn't break down)
    • 1 head iceberg lettuce
    • 1 cup julienned carrots
    • 1 tbsp sesame seeds

    Instructions

    • In a hot pan, cook the ground beef until no longer pink. Drain any excess fat. 
    • Add the garlic, ginger, gochujang paste, water, sesame oil, soy sauce, and honey. Let simmer on medium heat until the paste is melted and incorporated. Allow the water to evaporate ( I don't like dripping lettuce cups!)
    • Add the carrots and allow them to just soften, no more than a minute and remove pan from heat. 
    • Fill lettuce cups, garnish with sesame seeds, and enjoy! 
    • For lunch box prep, divide the meat mixture among the 3-4 containers you want to use. Or, portion into freezer zip bags, squeeze the air out, label, and store for up to 4 months. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 233kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 9g | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 22g

    So, there you have it!  An experiment with Gochujang that ended in Gouchujang Beef Lettuce Cups that can be meal prepped a few different ways! 

    I even have a ton more lunch inspiration for you if you are looking for it! Head here to see all the lunch things!

    When you make this, I want to see! Tag me @mealplanaddict on Instagram, or post a photo in the Meal Plan Addict Community! 

    « Easy Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Jalapeno Soup {+ Stove Top directions}
    How to Prep & Freeze Meatballs »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. E says

      February 08, 2020 at 9:18 am

      Hi,
      How long does gochujang sauce last before it expires? I have some in the fridge that expired just a few months ago but still smells and tastes great. Don’t want to throw it out if I don’t have to.

      Reply
      • Steph says

        February 18, 2020 at 11:28 am

        I honestly am not sure.

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published.

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi I am Steph, Meal Plan Addict!

    This is space is about more than meal prep, meal planning, and freezer meals. We help you get organized in the kitchen to make meal planning and prep easy and less intimidating for busy people.

    More about me here

    featured on

    Archives

    Categories

    Footer

    Recent Posts

    • Freezer Simmer Sauces to Stock Your Freezer Pantry
    • The best ways to prevent freezer burn
    • 10 Family Favorite Ground Beef Freezer Meals
    • How to Build a Freezer Pantry
    • Freezer Bagel Pizzas

    COPYRIGHT

    Meal Plan Addict Inc. All rights reserved.

    Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2023 · Foodie Pro Theme by Shay Bocks · Built on the Genesis Framework · Powered by WordPress