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Green Lentil Walnut Lettuce Wraps

Green Lentil Walnut Lettuce Wraps

These green lentil walnut lettuce wraps deliver a savory, high-protein filling wrapped in crisp lettuce leaves for an easy, satisfying meal. Tender lentils simmered with aromatics absorb a sweet-salty sesame sauce, while chopped walnuts add essential crunch. The result is a balanced, handheld dish that feels hearty yet light, making it ideal for quick lunches, casual dinners, or make-ahead meals.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Course: Appetizer, Light Dinner, Lunch, Main
Cuisine: Asian-inspired, Plant-Based
Calories: 280
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cups green lentils rinsed
  • 3 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger grated
  • 1/2 cup walnuts roughly chopped
  • 1 tsp neutral oil canola, avocado, or peanut
  • 3 tbsp tamari or soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup or agave
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • Optional: hot sauce to taste
  • Butter lettuce iceberg, or inner romaine leaves
  • Shredded carrot
  • Green onions sliced
  • Toasted sesame seeds
  • Fresh cilantro optional

Method
 

  1. Whisk tamari or soy sauce, rice vinegar, maple syrup, sesame oil, and optional hot sauce in a small bowl and set aside so the flavors meld.
  2. Heat a wide pan over medium-high heat, add neutral oil, and sauté onion, garlic, and ginger for about 5 minutes until softened, fragrant, and lightly browned at the edges.
  3. Add rinsed lentils and vegetable broth, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for about 10 minutes until the broth is absorbed and the lentils are tender but not mushy.
  4. Remove the pan from heat and let the mixture rest for 2–3 minutes as it tightens slightly.
  5. Stir in chopped walnuts to preserve their crunch.
  6. Add about half of the prepared sauce, stir well, and taste, adjusting with more sauce as needed for balance.
  7. Arrange whole lettuce leaves on a plate and spoon a modest amount of filling into the center of each leaf.
  8. Top with shredded carrot, green onions, toasted sesame seeds, and cilantro if using.
  9. Fold like a taco and serve immediately, adding extra sauce only if needed.

Notes

These lettuce wraps are designed to be flavorful without being messy, with a filling that stays moist but not soupy. Cooking the lentils just until the liquid is absorbed ensures they remain tender and structured rather than soft or mushy. Walnuts should always be added at the end to maintain crunch, which is key to the texture contrast.