Description
Korean BBQ Roasted Cauliflower Lettuce Wraps bring bold flavors to plant-based dining with crispy, caramelized cauliflower nestled in fresh lettuce leaves. Spicy, sweet, and utterly satisfying, these wraps deliver a knockout meal that keeps you craving more.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
- 8–10 large butter lettuce or romaine leaves
Sauce Ingredients:
- ¼ cup gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup or brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 2 tablespoons water
Garnish and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup shredded carrots
- ½ cup thinly sliced cucumber
- ¼ cup chopped green onions
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: cooked rice or rice noodles
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to a high temperature of 425F (220C) and cover a baking tray with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Carefully separate cauliflower into uniform florets, coating them generously with olive oil, then season with salt and pepper to enhance natural flavors.
- Distribute cauliflower pieces evenly across the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are not overcrowded to guarantee proper roasting and caramelization.
- Roast the cauliflower for approximately 25-30 minutes, rotating the tray midway to ensure even browning and achieving a golden, tender texture.
- While cauliflower roasts, craft the Korean BBQ sauce by combining ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat, whisking continuously to create a smooth consistency.
- Simmer the sauce for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently until it thickens slightly and develops a rich, glossy appearance.
- Once cauliflower is perfectly roasted, immediately toss the hot florets in the warm Korean BBQ sauce, ensuring each piece is thoroughly and evenly coated.
- Select crisp, fresh lettuce leaves as delicate wrapping vessels for the saucy cauliflower.
- Assemble the wraps by placing a generous spoonful of sauced cauliflower into each lettuce leaf.
- Garnish with julienned carrots, thinly sliced cucumber, chopped green onions, and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for added texture and flavor.
- Serve immediately while warm, with optional rice or noodles as a complementary side dish.
Notes
- Experiment with different cauliflower roasting times to achieve your preferred level of caramelization and tenderness without burning the florets.
- Swap lettuce leaves for rice paper wraps or tortillas to create a fun variation that suits different dietary preferences or texture desires.
- Select firm, crisp lettuce like butter or romaine for the best wrap structure and minimal leaf tearing during assembly.
- Adjust the Korean BBQ sauce’s sweetness and heat by tweaking ingredients like gochujang, honey, or rice vinegar to match personal taste preferences.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Korean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg