Spicy Shrimp Lettuce Cups (Printable)

Vibrant shrimp paired with crisp veggies and tangy sauce wrapped in fresh lettuce leaves for a flavorful low-carb bite.

# What You'll 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 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)

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a bowl, combine shrimp with olive oil, garlic, ginger, sriracha, salt, and black pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp mixture; cook for 2-3 minutes per side until shrimp turn pink and are cooked through. Remove from heat and set aside.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lime juice, sriracha, honey, and soy sauce until smooth.
04 - Arrange lettuce leaves on a serving platter. Fill each leaf with cooked shrimp, carrots, cucumber, red bell pepper, and green onions.
05 - Drizzle with prepared sauce or serve on the side. Garnish with fresh cilantro.
06 - Serve immediately as an appetizer or light main dish.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • These come together in 30 minutes flat, making them perfect for weeknight dinners when you're tired of the same rotations.
  • The cool lettuce leaves and spiced shrimp create a play of textures and temperatures that keeps you coming back for another bite.
  • It's naturally low-carb and gluten-free, so you can eat generously without any guilt creeping in.
02 -
  • Overcooking shrimp is the biggest mistake—they go from tender to rubbery in seconds, so pull them off heat the moment they turn fully pink rather than waiting for them to look 'cooked enough'.
  • Julienning your vegetables by hand takes an extra minute or two, but the cut matters; thin, consistent slices let them stay crisp instead of becoming limp and soggy by the time you eat.
03 -
  • Pat your shrimp completely dry before seasoning—moisture on the surface prevents proper browning and means they'll steam instead of sear.
  • Prepare all your vegetables before you start cooking the shrimp so assembly happens fast while everything is at the right temperature.
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