Healthy Instant Pot Asian Steak Lettuce Wraps: Your Go-To Flavorful & Fast Dinner (21 Day Fix, Paleo Friendly!)
Are you craving a meal that’s bursting with flavor, incredibly satisfying, and truly good for you? Look no further! These Healthy Instant Pot Asian Steak Lettuce Wraps are not just tastier than your favorite takeout; they’re also incredibly versatile. Enjoy them over fluffy rice, with a side of vibrant stir-fried veggies, or as the light and refreshing lettuce wraps they were designed to be. Best of all, they’re 21 Day Fix approved, gluten-free, dairy-free, and paleo-friendly. Don’t own an Instant Pot? No problem! We’ve included instructions to make this delectable dish in your Crock Pot too!
Why These Asian Steak Lettuce Wraps Are a Must-Try!
If you’re a fan of my Asian Chicken recipes, get ready to fall in love all over again. The magic truly lies in the sauce – seriously, is there anything this incredible sauce wouldn’t make delicious? We’ve tested it on various proteins, and it consistently delivers an explosion of gingery garlic goodness that’s simply irresistible.
After the success of my Asian Chicken, Asian Pork, and a super easy Ground Chicken Stir Fry, it was only natural to introduce this amazing sauce to beef. And thus, these fabulous Asian Steak Lettuce Wraps were born, offering a fresh, light, and incredibly satisfying meal option.
Crafting the Perfect Steak: Instant Pot or Slow Cooker?
Instant Pot Method: Speed and Tenderness
Flank steak is an excellent cut for the Instant Pot, known for becoming incredibly tender under pressure. My Instant Pot Flank Steak Tacos are one of the most popular recipes on this site, proving just how well this cut performs in the pressure cooker. Inspired by a craving for that signature gingery garlic flavor and an extra flank steak in the freezer, I decided to adapt the method for these lettuce wraps.
The process is surprisingly simple: A quick sear locks in flavor, then just 12 minutes of pressure cooking transforms the flank steak into melt-in-your-mouth perfection. It’s truly Instant Pot magic! This method is perfect for busy weeknights when you need a delicious meal on the table fast.
Slow Cooker Method: Effortless All-Day Flavor
Don’t have an Instant Pot, or prefer a “set-it-and-forget-it” approach? The slow cooker delivers equally tender and flavorful results with minimal effort. Simply combine all the ingredients and let your Crock Pot do the work, simmering the steak to a fork-tender consistency over several hours. This is ideal for meal prepping or when you want to come home to a delicious, ready-to-eat dinner.
The Delicious Outcome: A Meal to Savor
The first time I made these, I was completely blown away. They were so incredibly delicious that I found myself sneaking bites right out of the Instant Pot, forgetting all about proper table manners and the family I was supposed to be feeding! This recipe became an instant favorite for its delightful flavor profile and healthy nature. I’ve been in a major “lettuce wrap mood” lately (keep an eye out for a chicken version coming soon!), which is definitely a healthier craving than my usual “cheese mood.”
Since that first delicious batch, we’ve enjoyed this recipe in countless ways. It’s fantastic served traditionally in crisp lettuce leaves, but it’s equally delightful piled high over steaming white or brown rice, or even with a healthier twist on cauliflower rice. It pairs beautifully with stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal. Every single variation has been, without exaggeration, absolutely delicious.
Tips for Success & Budget-Friendly Swaps
Choosing Your Meat
While flank steak is excellent for this recipe, I understand it can sometimes be a bit pricey. Don’t let that deter you! This dish is incredibly forgiving and works wonderfully with lean ground beef or even lean stew meat. If using ground beef, simply brown it first in the Instant Pot or a skillet before adding the sauce ingredients. For best value, I often find great deals on flank steak at stores like Costco or Aldi, which typically offer better prices than my local grocery store.
The Importance of Searing (Instant Pot)
A quick sear of the flank steak before pressure cooking helps to build a richer flavor profile. It caramelizes the outside of the meat, adding depth that you’d miss if you skipped this step. Remember to work in small batches; overcrowding the pot will steam the meat instead of browning it. However, if you’re truly short on time, you can coat the flank steak directly in the oil and salt and proceed to the pressure cooking step – it will still be delicious!
Thickening the Sauce
After the steak is cooked, removing a small amount of the liquid and whisking in a gluten-free flour (or arrowroot/tapioca for paleo) to create a slurry is key. Pouring this back into the pot while on saute mode will thicken the sauce beautifully, ensuring it coats your steak perfectly and adds that extra lusciousness to your wraps.
Garnishes and Toppings
Don’t underestimate the power of garnishes! Matchstick carrots and thinly sliced red cabbage add a delightful crunch and vibrant color. Fresh cilantro and green onions provide a refreshing aromatic finish that complements the savory steak perfectly. For the wraps themselves, Boston or Bibb lettuce leaves are ideal due to their cup-like shape and crisp texture, making them easy to fill and eat.
Want to see just how easy this recipe is? Check out the video below!
More Asian-Inspired Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoy the flavors of this dish, you must try some of my other popular Asian-inspired recipes:
- 21 Day Fix Instant Pot Asian Chicken
- 21 Day Fix Asian Style Crock Pot Chicken
- Instant Pot Asian Pork Tenderloin (21 Day Fix)
- 21 Day Fix Kung Pao Cauliflower
- Instant Pot Chicken and Broccoli (21 Day Fix)
- Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli (21 Day Fix)
- Instant Pot Ramen Noodles (Stovetop Option) | 21 Day Fix Ramen Noodles (Gluten-free/Dairy-free)
- And for more delicious steak, check out my new Hibachi Steak!
Instant Pot Asian Steak Lettuce Wraps
Nancylynn
6 servings
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb flank steak trimmed of any fat and sliced thin – about 1/2 inch strips (on a budget? This is amazing with lean ground beef, too! Just brown your meat first!)
- 2 teaspoons coconut oil can sub olive or avocado oil
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/3 cup coconut aminos
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped ginger
- 2 teaspoons gluten free flour sub arrowroot or tapioca for paleo
- Matchstick carrots and/or thinly sliced red cabbage
- Cilantro and/or green onions for garnish
- Boston or Bibb lettuce
Instructions
Instant Pot:
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Set Instant Pot to saute and add in oil. Working in small batches, brown sliced flank steak and sprinkle with salt. If you put too many slices in at a time, you will end up steaming the meat, so be sure to do a few at a time. In a hurry? Skip this step! No biggie! Just coat flank steak in the oil and sprinkle with salt. (If using lean ground beef, set Instant Pot to saute and brown beef until completely cooked through.)
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Mix together honey, coconut aminos, tomato paste, ginger, and garlic. If you are using an 8 quart Instant Pot, add in ¼ cup of water.
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Place and lock lid on the IP, and set to manual/high pressure for 12 minutes (just 1 minute for ground beef). Once cook time is over, let meat sit for five minutes before carefully switching to quick release. Let steam escape before opening your pot.
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Remove meat from the pot. Switch pot to saute and remove 1/2 cup of the sauce from the pot and add flour to thicken. Pour the slurry back into the Instant Pot. Keep stirring until the sauce thickens, usually 1-2 minutes.
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To build the lettuce wraps: place about an ounce of sauced steak into each lettuce leaf. Top each with a sprinkling of matchstick carrots, cabbage, and cilantro/scallions. One serving is three to four lettuce wraps.
Slow Cooker:
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Mix flank steak, oil, honey, coconut aminos, tomato paste, salt, garlic, and ginger in your instant pot. Stir everything together.
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Cook on low for 6-8 hours or until meat is tender.
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To build the lettuce wraps: place about an ounce of sauced steak into each lettuce leaf. Top each with a sprinkling of matchstick carrots, cabbage, and cilantro/scallions. One serving is three to four lettuce wraps.
Video
Notes
21 Day Fix: 1 RED, 1/2 GREEN, 1/2 TSP (per serving)
WW: 9 points (per serving) [Calculated by dividing into 6 servings and using 1 1/2 lb. beef, olive oil, and gluten free flour]
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 13g
Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g
Monounsaturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 34mg
Sodium: 807mg
Potassium: 271mg
Fiber: 0.5g
Sugar: 1g
Vitamin A: 66IU
Vitamin C: 3mg
Calcium: 18mg
Iron: 1mg
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