Cashew Free Beef & Zucchini Lettuce Bowl with Coconut Aminos
Crispy-edged ground beef tucked into cool, tender butter lettuce cups is one of those meals that feels both light and deeply satisfying at the same time. The filling gets serious depth from fresh ginger, garlic, and a punchy sauce built on coconut aminos and apple cider vinegar — all without a drop of soy or any tree nuts in sight. Coconut aminos is the real hero here, delivering that savory, slightly sweet umami punch that makes Asian-inspired dishes so craveable, and it keeps the whole bowl completely free from cashew-based sauces or nut-thickened dressings that can sneak into similar recipes. Diced zucchini and carrot cook right into the beef, adding color, texture, and a little extra nutrition without complicating the process. A finish of scallion greens, fresh cilantro, and an optional drizzle of sesame oil pulls everything together into something that looks genuinely impressive on the table. The lettuce cups make it naturally hand-held and fun to eat, which means it works just as well for a casual weeknight dinner as it does for feeding a crowd.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the filling
- 1 lb ground beef (85% lean)
- 1 medium zucchini, finely diced
- 1 medium carrot, finely diced
- 3 scallions, thinly sliced (white and green parts separated)
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, finely grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- salt and pepper, to taste
For the sauce
- 3 tbsp coconut aminos
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
For serving
- 1 head butter lettuce, leaves separated
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
- 1 tsp sesame oil (optional)
Instructions
- 1
In a small bowl, stir together the coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar, ground cumin, and red pepper flakes. Set aside.
- 2
Heat the coconut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the scallion whites, carrot, and zucchini and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are just softened, about 4–5 minutes.
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