Spicy Shrimp Lettuce Cups (Printable)

Fresh shrimp paired with crisp vegetables and tangy sauce in cool lettuce leaves for a healthy bite.

# What You 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 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

# How-To Steps:

01 - Combine shrimp with olive oil, garlic, ginger, sriracha, salt, and black pepper in a bowl; toss to coat evenly.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook shrimp mixture for 2–3 minutes per side until pink and cooked through; remove from heat.
03 - Whisk together mayonnaise, lime juice, sriracha, honey, and soy sauce until smooth in a small bowl.
04 - Arrange lettuce leaves on a serving platter and fill each with cooked shrimp, julienned carrots, cucumber, sliced red bell pepper, and green onions.
05 - Drizzle or serve with prepared sauce and garnish with fresh cilantro; serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The shrimp cooks faster than you'd expect, meaning dinner can actually happen on a weeknight without stress.
  • There's something deeply satisfying about building your own cup at the table, making everyone feel like they're part of the cooking.
  • Low-carb and naturally gluten-free without any compromise on flavor or texture.
02 -
  • Overcooked shrimp becomes rubbery and defeats the entire purpose—they only need 2-3 minutes per side, and they keep cooking slightly after you pull them off heat.
  • Separate the lettuce leaves gently and wash them ahead of time so they're crisp and ready; a few minutes in ice water makes them even more structural.
03 -
  • Buy already-peeled shrimp if it saves you time—there's no shame in that convenience, and you're still making something from scratch.
  • Keep lettuce cups cold from the moment you separate the leaves until you serve them; temperature contrast is part of what makes them so satisfying.
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