SS Superior Sauce USA

Recipe

Sweet Heat Thai Beef Lettuce Cups with cucumber herbs

ThaiBeefDinnerWeeknight MealsThailandDairy Free

Sweet Heat Thai Beef Lettuce Cups with cucumber herbs is an easy Thai-style recipe with beef, carrots, butter lettuce leaves, and a simple sweet heat sauce. The directions are written by minute, heat level, and cookware so the meal is easy to follow.

Yield4 servings
Prep Time19 minutes
Cook Time13 minutes
Total Time32 minutes

Why this easy recipe works

Sweet Heat Thai Beef Lettuce Cups with cucumber herbs is built for home cooks who want clear timing and familiar cookware. The sauce gives the dish a balanced sweet, savory, tangy flavor, and the vegetables keep the meal fresh.

Cookware and heat guide

  • Cookware: large nonstick skillet
  • Heat: medium-high heat
  • Best side: butter lettuce leaves

Helpful answer

Prep the sauce before the pan gets hot, keep the protein in one layer, and add the sauce near the end so it coats the food without burning.

Ingredients

What you need

  • 1 lb flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced across the grain
  • 2 cups carrots, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 1 cup butter lettuce leaves
  • 2 tablespoons neutral oil, divided
  • 3 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, finely grated
  • 2 tablespoons chopped Thai basil or cilantro
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds or crushed peanuts, optional

Directions

How to make it

  1. Minute 0-5, cutting board and knife: slice the beef thinly across the grain so it stays tender. Cut carrots into bite-size pieces.
  2. Minute 5-8, small bowl: whisk sweet chili sauce, lime juice, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and a small spoon of sesame oil. Keep it beside the stove.
  3. Minute 8-10, large nonstick skillet: preheat over medium-high heat until a drop of water sizzles. Add 1 tablespoon oil.
  4. Minute 10-17, large nonstick skillet: cook the protein in one layer until browned. Pull beef from the pan while it is browned but still juicy.
  5. Minute 17-22, large nonstick skillet: add carrots and cook until crisp-tender, stirring every minute.
  6. Minute 22-26, large nonstick skillet: add butter lettuce leaves and the sauce. Toss until everything is glossy and hot.
  7. Minute 26-30, serving bowl: turn off the heat, add Thai basil or cilantro, taste, and serve right away.

Tips

Make it yours

  • Keep the pan at medium-high heat; lower the heat if the sauce darkens too fast.
  • Cut carrots evenly so the pieces cook at the same speed.
  • Make the sauce before cooking so the final toss takes less than 2 minutes.
  • For meal prep, store the sauce separately and reheat gently.

Where to buy

Shop key ingredients

Choose the retailer that works best for you. Prices and availability may vary by store and location.