Thai Chili Beef Cabbage Cups are vibrant, crunchy, and packed with bold flavors—a perfect balance of savory, spicy, and tangy. You get all the exciting tastes of Thai cuisine in a fun, low-carb lettuce wrap style. These little handheld bites are sure to impress! 🌶️🥢🌿
🥬🌶 Thai Chili Beef Cabbage Cups
(Spicy, savory beef topped with fresh herbs and crunchy veggies, wrapped in crisp cabbage leaves)
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4):
For the Beef Filling:
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground chicken/pork for variation)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1–2 tbsp red curry paste
- 2 tbsp fish sauce (for that umami punch)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sugar or palm sugar
- 1–2 tbsp Thai sweet chili sauce (adjust for sweetness)
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- 1/2–1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (for heat)
- 1 tbsp sesame oil or vegetable oil
For Serving:
- Large cabbage leaves (about 12–16 leaves, depending on size)
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Fresh mint, chopped
- Shredded carrots (optional for extra crunch)
- Sliced red chili or Thai bird chiles (for garnish)
- Crushed peanuts or cashews (optional for crunch)
- Lime wedges
🔥 How to Make:
1. Cook the Beef:
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add garlic and onion, sauté until fragrant and softened.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks.
- Stir in the curry paste, fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, lime juice, ginger, and chili sauce.
- Cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to reduce slightly and become sticky.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with more fish sauce, lime, or chili sauce if needed.
2. Prepare the Cabbage Cups:
- Gently peel cabbage leaves off the head and rinse them.
- Blanch the leaves in boiling water for 1-2 minutes until just tender, then rinse under cold water and pat dry.
- Alternatively, if you prefer raw cabbage, just trim the thick stems to make them easier to fold.
3. Assemble the Cups:
- Spoon the spicy beef mixture into each cabbage leaf.
- Top with shredded carrots (if using), fresh cilantro, mint, red chili slices, and crushed peanuts/cashews.
- Serve with lime wedges on the side for extra zing.
📝 Caption Ideas:
- “Fresh, spicy, and so satisfying! These Thai Chili Beef Cabbage Cups bring the heat and crunch. 🔥🥬”
- “Bold flavors wrapped in a crunchy cabbage shell—this is Thai street food at home! 🇹🇭✨”
- “Spicy beef, fresh herbs, and a cabbage crunch… It’s everything you want in a bite-sized snack.”
- “Low-carb, high flavor! Thai chili beef just got a healthy twist.”
🎥 Reel Flow:
- Quick shot of garlic, onions, and beef sizzling in the pan
- Stir in curry paste and sauce with a close-up of the sticky, glossy beef mixture
- Cabbage leaves being carefully arranged, filled with beef
- Garnishing with cilantro, peanuts, and lime—final close-up shot of someone grabbing a bite 😋
Want a vegetarian version? Swap beef for crumbled tofu or tempeh. You could also make it a full meal by serving with rice on the side! Let me know if you’d like a variation or more fun ideas for garnishes!
