This lettuce wraps recipe actually brings up a lot of emotions if I am being honest because I am reminded of a time where I used to want to wrap everything in lettuce purely because of my fear of carbs and that they would make me fat. It took me years of studying and learning to love food so that I could finally some to a place where I knew that things like bread, wraps, potatoes and even QUINOA couldn’t hurt me. This vegan summer recipe is a fun balance of healthy, hearty and flavourful. The Cherry Jalapeno Salsa made with Patience Fruit & Co Cherry Juice is seriously a kicker, I love it!
Easy lettuce wraps
This plant based summer recipe is incredibly convenient for you to whip up, and you can personalize it and do a little DIY to make it your own. These vegan wraps can also be made ahead of time and easily stored in the fridge before a gathering, dinner, or on-the-go healthy lunch.
I love this plant based recipe because it can easily be adapted to all seasons. In the winter, it makes for a light dinner, and you can swap out the topping with seasonal vegetables, sometimes the hardy, heavy meals you usually eat in the winter like shepherds pie and moussaka can feel like too much!
Of course, feel free to swap out the lettuce wraps for tortilla shells or whatever you prefer. Lettuce wraps just make for a lighter, more refreshing vegan summer recipe.
The goodness of cherries
Cherries are often an underrated fruit that are actually filled with benefits. For these lettuce wraps I used cherry juice in the salsa which adds a tartness to the sharpness of the jalapeños, the sweetness of the sugar, and sourness of the lime, you get the perfect mix of flavours. Often you’ll see lettuce wraps paired with vegan peanut sauces but this is a great alternative.
Cherries are known as America’s super fruit because they offer vital nutrients to support your health. One cup of cherries actually contains only 90 calories and are filled with a supply of fiber, protein, and vitamin A and C.
Vitamin C is a natural antioxidant that can help improve iron absorption from plant sources, which is great in a plant based diet, and it’s known to boost the immune system and aid in making collagen.
Vitamin A supports a healthy immune system, protects your eyes, keeps your skin healthy, supports strong bones, and the list goes on.
The Patience Fruit & Co. Cherry juice I used in this recipe is one of my favs. Their juice is organic, meaning none of the ingredients are genetically modified, and no chemicals or artificial fertilizers or pesticides are used in the process. Polyphenols are naturally present in the cherries used in this juice which are micronutrients that you get through plant based diets. Polyphenols are packed with antioxidants and potential health benefits which is the perfect addition to these lettuce wraps.
Plant based taco meat
Finding the perfect alternative in-store for ground beef can be a challenge. Often you’ll find alternatives that aren’t even very healthy for you, with ingredients you can’t even pronounce. That’s why it’s so much better to make your own, simple, taco meat alternative at home. My go-to vegan meat substitute for tacos and wraps includes:
Walnuts
Lentils
Cauliflower
Tamari
Chili Paste
Sesame Oil
Brown Sugar
The walnuts are rich in antioxidants, super packed with Omega 3s, help promote a healthy gut, and the benefit list goes on, and on. While the lentils are great for keeping your heart healthy, are loaded with fibre, folic acid, and potassium, and include essential vitamins and minerals. They are a great protein source in any vegan or plant based diet. The mix of spices really adds a strong flavour to this “meat” that completes these lettuce wraps. I also love how the walnuts add a good crunch that you wouldn’t get with traditional ground beef.
Overall, this is one of my fav go-to plant based recipes for the summer. It’s great for when I’m on-the-go or need to meal prep for Andrew’s lunches. I can’t wait for you to try it and let me know what you think of this fresh summer recipe!
See the recipe card below for how to make my plant based Cauliflower Walnut Lentil “Taco Meat” + Noodle Lettuce Wraps with Cranberry Jalapeno Salsa. Enjoy!
These were so amazing! Super super flavourful. I brought these for a potluck at work, and it was great to bring something that didn’t require heating. I had to modify the recipe slightly based on what was available at my local shops, so I used soba noodles (with a little sesame oil and soya sauce to keep them from sticking together) and pomegranate juice instead of cherry juice. I will definitely be making these again!
These were so amazing! Super super flavourful. I brought these for a potluck at work, and it was great to bring something that didn’t require heating. I had to modify the recipe slightly based on what was available at my local shops, so I used soba noodles (with a little sesame oil and soya sauce to keep them from sticking together) and pomegranate juice instead of cherry juice. I will definitely be making these again!
★★★★★
YES! This is amazing, thank you so much for the love, Raquel. Absolutely brilliant. Can’t wait to see what you make next!
I’ve made this cauliflower rice which was actually my first one ever and OMG, it0s amazing. Really good and super simple ofc!
Super recommended!
★★★★★
YES! I find this recipe so so so so good. I love that it’s still a snack type food but really really nutrient-dense and easy!