Chicken Free Beef & Zucchini Lettuce Bowl with Coconut Aminos
Crispy-edged ground beef meets tender zucchini and carrot, all wrapped up in cool, buttery lettuce leaves for a bowl that feels fresh and satisfying at the same time. The sauce is the real secret here — coconut aminos bring that deep, savory umami punch you'd expect from soy sauce, but without any of the usual additives, making it a smart swap that genuinely delivers on flavor. A hit of apple cider vinegar and cumin keeps things bright and a little smoky, while the red pepper flakes add just enough heat to keep every bite interesting. Cooking the garlic and ginger directly in the pan at the right moment builds serious depth into the filling without any complicated technique. The whole thing comes together in one skillet, so cleanup is minimal and dinner lands on the table fast. Finished with fresh cilantro, scallion greens, and an optional drizzle of sesame oil, these lettuce cups look impressive enough to serve to guests but are genuinely easy enough for a weeknight. If you've been stuck in a ground beef rut, this is exactly the kind of recipe that makes you excited to cook again.
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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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