Are you tired of the same old lunch options and looking for something fresh, healthy, and utterly delicious? Look no further! Lettuce wraps with peanut sauce are a perfect blend of crunchy, savory, and slightly spicy goodness that will make your taste buds dance with joy. Plus, they’re an excellent option for meal prep, making your weekdays much more manageable and flavorful.
You can view my full collection of plant-based meal prep recipes here.
Why Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce are Perfect for Meal Prep
Lettuce wraps with peanut sauce are a game-changer for meal prep. Not only are they packed with fresh vegetables, but they also offer a delightful crunch and a burst of flavors that keep you excited for lunchtime. The combination of crispy tofu, vibrant veggies, and creamy peanut sauce ensures that you get a balanced meal that’s both nutritious and satisfying. Plus, they’re easy to assemble and store, making your meal prep routine a breeze.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Veggies
- Lettuce for wrapping: Butter lettuce, romaine, or iceberg works great for this recipe. Choose whichever you prefer or have on hand.
- Grated carrot: Adds a sweet crunch to the wraps.
- Cucumber: Cut into small sticks for a refreshing bite.
- Mango: Provides a sweet and juicy contrast to the other ingredients.
- Red cabbage: Shredded for color and crunch.
- Herbs: Use mint, cilantro, or Thai basil to add a fresh, aromatic touch.
Crispy Tofu
- Extra firm tofu: Pressed to remove excess water, making it perfect for a crispy texture.
- Cornstarch: Helps in getting that desired crispy coating.
- Low-sodium soy sauce or tamari: Adds a savory umami flavor.
- Hoisin sauce: For coating the tofu and adding a touch of sweetness.
Spicy Peanut Sauce
- All-natural peanut butter: The base of the sauce, offering creaminess and flavor.
- Low-sodium soy sauce or tamari: Adds depth and saltiness.
- Lime juice: Freshly squeezed for a tangy kick.
- Maple syrup or vegan honey: For a touch of sweetness.
- Sriracha: For spice; can be substituted with Thai red curry paste for a different flavor profile.
- Water: To thin the sauce to your desired consistency.
- Rice vinegar: Optional, for added tang.
- Ginger and garlic: Optional, for extra flavor.
Optional Toppings
- Lime wedges: For squeezing over the wraps before eating.
- Chopped peanuts: Adds a crunchy texture.
- Hot sauce: If you like an extra kick of heat.
Helpful Tools to Make This Recipe
- Air fryer or frying pan: For cooking the tofu.
- Blender: To make the peanut sauce smooth and creamy.
- Shallow bowls: For mixing and coating the tofu./
- Sharp knife and cutting board: For chopping the veggies.
- Containers: For storing the prepped ingredients separately.
How To Make This Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce Meal Prep: Step-by-Step Instructions
Noodles
- Cover the vermicelli noodles in boiling water and leave for 3-5 minutes (or according to package instructions).
- Drain and rinse with cold water.
Preparing Crispy Tofu
Tear the tofu into bite-sized pieces and place in a shallow bowl.
Add soy sauce and cornstarch; toss to combine.
Cook tofu in the air fryer at 400 degrees for 15 minutes, flipping halfway. Alternatively, fry in a pan with oil for 3-5 minutes per side.
While the tofu is cooking, chop up your veggies.
Cook until the tofu is crispy and golden brown on the outside. Toss cooked tofu lightly in hoisin sauce.
Making the Peanut Sauce
Add peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, sriracha, and maple syrup into a blender.
Blend on high until smooth and creamy.
Add cold water 1 tbsp at a time until you reach your desired consistency. Note: It does thicken slightly when left in the fridge.
Meal Prep
Store all the chopped and cooked ingredients in separate containers in the fridge.
Assemble the lettuce wraps each morning to prevent soggy lettuce. You should get about 4 lettuce wraps per day (depending on the size of your lettuce).
Use ¼ of each of the ingredients each day. This will make 4 days of meal prep.
Don’t forget to add on the peanut sauce, chopped peanuts, and a fresh lime wedge. Enjoy!
Tips & Tricks For This Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce Meal Prep
- Pressing the tofu: Make sure to press your tofu well to remove excess water. This helps achieve a crispy texture when cooking.
- Chopping veggies: Prep your veggies ahead of time and store them in airtight containers to save time during assembly.
- Peanut sauce consistency: Adjust the water amount in the peanut sauce to get your preferred thickness. If it thickens too much in the fridge, just add a bit more water and mix well.
- Herb storage: Keep your herbs fresh by storing them in a damp paper towel inside a ziplock bag in the fridge.
- Mix and match: Feel free to swap out veggies based on what you have available or prefer.
FAQ:
The prepped ingredients can last up to 4 days in the fridge if stored separately. Assemble the wraps fresh each day for the best taste and texture.
Yes, you can use almond butter or sunflower seed butter if you have a peanut allergy.
Feel free to add bell peppers, avocado, radishes, or any other favorite veggies for extra crunch and flavor.
Lettuce Wraps Meal Prep with Peanut Sauce
Ingredients
- 100 grams dried vermicelli rice noodles (1 little nest of noodles)
Veggies
- 1 head lettuce for wrapping (butter lettuce, romaine or iceberg)
- 1 large grated carrot
- ½ cucumber cut into small sticks
- 1 mango cut into small strips
- 1 cup red cabbage, shredded
- 1 handful either mint, cilantro, or Thai basil
Crispy Tofu
- 1 brick extra firm tofu (pressed)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce for coating tofu
Spicy Peanut Sauce
- ½ cup all natural peanut butter
- 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
- 1 lime, juiced (2 tbsp)
- 1 tbsp maple syrup or vegan honey
- 3 tbsp sriracha (sub 1 tbsp Thai red curry paste if desired)
- water to thin
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar optional
- 1 tbsp ginger and 1 clove garlic optional
Optional Toppings
- 4 lime wedges
- ¼ chopped peanuts
- hot sauce
Instructions
Noodles
- Cover the vermicelli noodles in boiling water and leave for 3-5 minutes. (or according to package instructions.) Then drain and rinse with cold water.
Preparing Crispy Tofu
- Tear the tofu into bite-sized pieces and place in a shallow bowl. Add the soy sauce and cornstarch and toss to combine.
- Cook tofu in the airfryer at 400 degrees for 15 minutes flipping halfway, OR it fry in a pan with oil for 3-5 minutes per side.
- While the tofu is cooking, chop up your veggies.
- Cook until the tofu is crispy and golden brown on the outside. Toss cooked tofu lightly in Hoisen sauce.
Making the Peanut Sauce
- Next, make the peanut sauce by adding peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, sriracha or red Thai curry paste, and maple syrup into a blender.
- Blend on high until smooth and creamy. Add cold water 1 tbsp at a time until you reach your desired consistency. Note: it does thicken slightly when left in the fridge.
Meal Prep
- I store all of the chopped and cooked ingredients in separate containers in the fridge.
- Assemble the lettuce wraps each morning to prevent soggy lettuce. You should get about 4 lettuce wraps per day (depending on the size of your lettuce).
- Use ¼ of each of the ingredients each day. This will make 4 days of meal prep.
- Don't forget to add on the peanut sauce, chopped peanuts and a fresh lime wedge. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Conclusion: Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce Meal Prep
Lettuce wraps with peanut sauce are a fantastic option for meal prep, offering a delicious and nutritious meal that’s easy to prepare and enjoy throughout the week. The combination of crispy tofu, fresh veggies, and creamy peanut sauce is simply irresistible. With a bit of planning and the right ingredients, you can enjoy a delightful, homemade lunch every day.
I really enjoyed this meal prep, I ended up keeping the lettuce as side and assembled into more of a salad instead of a warp. And the sauce was amazing 🤩
oh yum that sounds sooo good to eat it as a salad! So happy you loved it 🙂