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Lettuce leaf filled with rice noodles and topped with a meatball. Garnished with sliced green onions and chopped peanuts.

Meatball and Rice Noodle Lettuce Wraps

Course: Appetizer, Dinner
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 10
Calories: 148kcal
Author: Laureen King
Meatball and Rice Noodle Lettuce Wraps are a healthy appetizer that is also perfect for lunch or dinner!
Print Recipe

Ingredients

Sauce Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup canned light coconut milk 185 ml
  • 1/3 cup reduced-sodium beef or chicken broth 80 ml
  • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice 10 ml
  • 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce 30 ml
  • 2 teaspoons packed brown sugar 10ml
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch 5 ml
  • 1 teaspoon minced peeled fresh ginger 5 ml
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic 5ml
  • 1 teaspoon Sriracha or your favourite hot sauce 5 ml

Meatball Ingredients

  • 1 pound extra lean ground beef 500g
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup hoisin sauce 60 ml
  • 1/4 cup finely diced green onion 60 ml
  • 1/4 cup unseasoned dry breadcrumbs 60 ml
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro leaves 30 ml
  • 2 teaspoon minced garlic 10 ml
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon minced peeled fresh ginger 7ml
  • salt and pepper
  • 2 ounces dried thin rice noodles 60g
  • 10 Boston lettuce leaves

Garnish Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup diced red bell pepper 60ml
  • 2 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds 10ml
  • 1 tablespoon crushed peanuts 15 ml

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425ºF (220ºC). Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly spray with vegetable oil.

Method for making the sauce

  • In a medium sized bowl, combine the coconut milk, stock, lemon juice, hoisin, sugar, cornstarch, ginger, garlic and Sriracha. Stir until the cornstarch is dissolved. Set aside.

Preparing the Meatballs

  • In a large bowl, combine the beef, egg, hoisin, onions, breadcrumbs, cilantro, garlic, ginger, and salt and pepper. Using your hands, form about thirty 1-inch (2.5 cm) meatballs. Place on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165º (74ºC) when tested with a cooking thermometer.
  • In a small skillet over medium heat, cook the prepared sauce until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, in a saucepan of boiling water, cook the noodles according to the package instructions. Drain well.
  • Top each lettuce leaf with an equal amount of the cooked noodles. Place meatball on top of the noodles and drizzle with the sauce. Garnish with red pepper, sesame seeds and peanuts.

Nutrition

Calories: 148kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 249mg | Potassium: 240mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 670IU | Vitamin C: 6.8mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1.7mg