Korean beef lettuce wraps
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
I've made several Korean beef lettuce wrap recipes like this one. This marinade is by far the easiest. (I have two kids and the main ingredient is apple juice... got that!) If you can't find hanger steaks, try flank or skirt. Didn't think you could rock Momofuku on a weeknight? Guess again...
Author:
Recipe type: Main
Cuisine: Korean
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
Steak
  • 2 cups apple juice
  • ½ cup soy sauce (light soy sauce if you have it)
  • ½ yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 1 tsp. Asian sesame oil
  • 1 tsp. ground black pepper
  • 4 8-oz. hanger steaks
Ginger scallion sauce
  • 1 cup thinly sliced scallions (white and green parts)
  • ¼ cup finely minced fresh ginger
  • 2 Tbsp. canola oil
  • ¾ tsp. soy sauce (light soy sauce if you have it)
  • ½ tsp. sherry vinegar
  • ¼ tsp. Kosher salt, plus more to taste
Accompaniments
  • 2 cups sushi rice
  • 2 cups water
  • ½ cup kimchi, pureed
  • Bibb lettuce leaves, washed and separated (from about 2 heads)
  • Sssamjang (optional, this can be found in the Korean section of an Asian market)
Instructions
  1. Combine the apple juice, soy sauce, onion, garlic, sesame oil and black pepper in a gallon storage bag. Add the steak and refrigerate overnight.
  2. Make the ginger scallion sauce. Combine all the ingredients in a small dish. Let sit 15 minutes then adjust seasoning if needed.
  3. Prepare a grill for high heat. When the grill is hot, sear the steaks for 2 minutes a side, then monitor until they are medium rare. Remove from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes.
  4. While the grill is heating, cook the rice. Rinse the rice in cold water until the water runs clear. Combine rice and water in a pan and bring to a boil. Reduce to a low simmer and cover. Cook until the water is absorbed. Turn off heat and let rest a few minutes. Fluff with a paddle or fork.
  5. To serve, thinly slice the steak. Take a lettuce leaf and put some rice in the leaf. Top with steak and accompaniments and eat it like a taco!
Notes
Ssamjang is a condiment that's a combination of a fermented red pepper paste (gochujang) and bean paste. Sounds completely bizarre but it's really good. You can find it in Asian markets that carry Korean ingredients. For the lettuce, look for hydroponic, mainly because it's easier to wash. I found it at Costco - three heads, no dirt. Can't say the same for my kids after a day playing in the yard... And the kimchi... the cookbook says to make kimchi. I buy it (once had an epic fail in that department...). Look for Napa cabbage kimchi. My fave is from the Asian market, not the ones you find at the likes of Whole Foods...
Recipe by white plate blank slate at https://whiteplateblankslate.com/korean-beef-lettuce-wraps/