Spicy Shrimp Lettuce Cups (Printable)

Fresh shrimp paired with crisp veggies and tangy sauce wrapped in cool, crunchy lettuce leaves.

# What you'll need:

→ Shrimp

01 - 1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 garlic clove, minced
04 - 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
05 - 1 tsp sriracha or chili sauce, adjust to taste
06 - 1/2 tsp salt
07 - 1/4 tsp ground black pepper

→ Vegetables & Greens

08 - 1 head butter lettuce or iceberg lettuce, leaves separated and washed
09 - 1 medium carrot, julienned
10 - 1 small cucumber, julienned
11 - 1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
12 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
13 - Fresh cilantro, chopped for garnish

→ Sauce

14 - 2 tbsp mayonnaise
15 - 1 tbsp lime juice
16 - 1 tsp sriracha
17 - 1 tsp honey
18 - 1 tsp soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free option

# Method:

01 - Combine shrimp with olive oil, garlic, ginger, sriracha, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Toss until evenly coated.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp mixture and cook 2 to 3 minutes per side until shrimp turn pink and are cooked through. Remove from heat and set aside.
03 - Whisk together mayonnaise, lime juice, sriracha, honey, and soy sauce in a small bowl until smooth.
04 - Arrange lettuce leaves on a serving platter. Fill each leaf with cooked shrimp, julienned carrot, cucumber, red bell pepper, and sliced green onions.
05 - Drizzle the prepared sauce over the filled lettuce cups or serve on the side. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than takeout and tastes infinitely fresher than any delivery app could promise.
  • The lettuce cups stay cool and crisp while the shrimp stays warm, creating this textural contrast that keeps you coming back for another bite.
  • Low-carb and naturally gluten-free, so it fits any diet without feeling like you're missing out on flavor.
02 -
  • Overcooked shrimp becomes rubbery and small; pull them off the heat the moment they turn pink, not when you think they should be done.
  • Lettuce leaves can get soggy if you prep them too far ahead—wash and separate just before assembling, and keep them in the fridge until the last minute.
03 -
  • If your shrimp are large, butterfly them down the middle so they cook evenly and look impressive in the lettuce leaf.
  • A squeeze of fresh lime juice right at the table makes the whole dish feel alive in a way that pre-made sauce never quite captures.
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