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Sambal Shrimp Lettuce Wraps

4.3

(6)

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Photo by Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Amy Wilson

If you purchase frozen peeled, deveined shrimp, they’ll come with their tails taken off, which is totally fine for this recipe. If you want to grill instead, thread the shrimp onto a skewer after marinating.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    4 servings

Ingredients

½

cup hot chili paste (such as sambal oelek)

¼

cup honey

¼

cup unseasoned rice vinegar

4

tsp. toasted sesame oil, divided

lb. large shrimp

Kosher salt

1–2

Tbsp. vegetable oil

2

Persian cucumbers, thinly sliced into rounds

Flaky sea salt

2

heads of Bibb lettuce, leaves separated, covered, chilled

½

cup mint sprigs

½

cup crushed salted, dry-roasted peanuts

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Whisk hot chili paste, honey, vinegar, and 2 tsp. sesame oil in a small bowl to combine. Season shrimp lightly with kosher salt and place in a resealable plastic bag. Pour in half of marinade and seal bag. Transfer remaining marinade to a small bowl and set aside for serving. Let shrimp sit at room temperature, turning the bag occasionally to ensure even coating, 10–15 minutes.

    Step 2

    Remove shrimp from marinade, allowing excess to drip back into bag, and transfer to paper towels to drain. Heat 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high until shimmering. Working in batches and adding another 1 Tbsp. oil along the way if the skillet is looking dry, arrange shrimp in skillet in a single layer and cook undisturbed 2 minutes (the marinade will have darkened in color and some of the sugars in it will have started to caramelize). Turn shrimp over and cook 30 seconds. Transfer to a platter.

    Step 3

    Arrange cucumbers on platter next to shrimp; season with sea salt and drizzle with remaining 2 tsp. sesame oil. Arrange lettuce leaves and mint sprigs on platter so that each component is visible and easily accessible. Place crushed peanuts in a small bowl and set out next to platter along with reserved marinade (for spooning into wraps).

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Reviews (6)

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  • pretty bland for all the effort tbh. not making again. to be fair I didn't use the peanut part at all - that seems way too distracting from the expensive and (what should be loaded with flavor) exciting main ingredients

    • Anonymous

    • Austin, TX

    • 2/6/2024

  • These are the changes: 1 T Worcestershire (can also use Tamari or Soya Sauce, instead) 1-2 T grated ginger 1 T finely minced lemongrass (can use same amount of lemongrass paste to save time) Juice of 1 large lime Thai Basil, Cilantro in addition to Mint - minced and added to cooked shrimp /prawns Marinade can be used with other proteins, including Tofu or with grilled vegetables. Can also be used on noodles

    • lipsticklibrarian

    • VANCOUVER, BC CANADA

    • 6/30/2019

  • I've made this exactly as directed and it is very versatile and a good base for alterations. Without additions or changes it is a bit one dimensional. For this, I give it 3 stars.

    • lipsticklibrarian

    • VANCOUVER, BC CANADA

    • 6/30/2019

  • My husband loved this dish. It was very easy to make and had a lot of flavor. I think the shrimp would have even more flavor if grilled. I will definitely be making this again.

    • Shetterley

    • Wesley Chapel, FL

    • 9/24/2018