Smoky BBQ Pork Lettuce Cups

Experience a burst of Asian-inspired flavors with these incredible BBQ Pork Lettuce Wraps. Succulent pork is slow-braised in a rich, savory BBQ sauce, then shredded and served in fresh, crisp lettuce leaves for a dinner that’s not only delicious but also wonderfully light and packed with taste.

Once you’ve savored every bite of this fantastic recipe, be sure to explore our other popular lettuce wrap creations: these Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps or our exciting Taco Lettuce Wraps.

My Culinary Journey and the Charm of Cookbooks

It’s no secret among my friends and family that I harbor a deep affection for cookbooks. As I diligently work to declutter my home, streamlining and organizing every space, my cherished cookbook collection remains the one steadfast exception. It’s my ultimate indulgence, my treasured hoard, and a constant source of inspiration. Each book holds the promise of a new culinary adventure, a chance to explore diverse flavors and techniques from around the world.

However, even my passion has its limits – specifically, the physical space on my bookshelves! While new shelves are indeed on their way to accommodate my growing collection, the current overflow has prompted me to become a more discerning collector. I now carefully consider each potential addition, seeking out those special volumes that genuinely resonate with my culinary spirit and offer something truly unique.

Every so often, a particular book catches my eye, and I just know it’s destined to join my collection. It’s an undeniable connection, a feeling that this book was meant to be discovered by me and become a treasured part of my kitchen library.

“Eating Up the West Coast”: A Culinary Travelogue Gem

Such was the serendipitous encounter with Eating Up the West Coast by Brigit Binns. I was enjoying a casual browse through the cookbook section at Costco when this exquisite gem practically leaped off the shelf. After a mere ten seconds of flipping through its pages, I was completely captivated and knew I had to own it. Its vibrant imagery and enticing descriptions immediately drew me in.

What makes this book so irresistible? It brilliantly merges two of my greatest passions: travel and food. “Eating Up the West Coast” isn’t just a cookbook; it’s a beautifully crafted narrative that functions as both a culinary guide and an engaging travelogue. The authors themselves describe it as “part cookbook, part travelogue” – a concise definition that immediately captured my heart and assured me I would fall head over heels for this unique publication.

The author, Brigit Binns, embarked on an inspiring 42-day road trip along the magnificent West Coast, stretching from the sunny shores of California all the way up to the lush landscapes of Washington. Accompanied by her faithful dog, she uncovered hidden culinary treasures and vibrant local eateries along the way. Through this book, she invites us to join her on this incredible adventure, sharing stories of the remarkable people she met and the unforgettable meals she enjoyed. Interspersed throughout are 75 inspired recipes that perfectly encapsulate the fresh, diverse flavors of the region. From casual roadside diners to upscale coastal restaurants, Brigit’s journey offers a genuine taste of the West Coast’s vibrant food scene.

This isn’t merely a collection of recipes; it’s an invitation to both cook and explore. It makes you want to tie on an apron and experiment in the kitchen, but equally, it ignites a desire to pack your bags, hop in the car, and embark on your own West Coast road trip. The vivid descriptions of picturesque towns, stunning landscapes, and enticing local dishes are a powerful motivator for culinary and travel adventures alike. Reading it feels like a journey in itself, an escape to the scenic beauty and delicious discoveries of the Pacific coastline.

My only regret is not discovering this book sooner, especially before our own drive along the picturesque California coast. We passed through several towns featured in the book, and I can only imagine the delightful dining experiences we might have had with Brigit’s recommendations in hand! Nevertheless, for anyone who adores fresh, coastal-inspired cuisine, this cookbook is an absolute must-have. And if you’re a travel enthusiast, you’ll find it as engaging and enjoyable to read as any captivating novel. It has certainly sparked my excitement for planning another memorable vacation and revisiting those stunning West Coast destinations with a newfound culinary guide!

Crafting the Perfect BBQ Pork Lettuce Wraps

While exploring the many tempting recipes within “Eating Up the West Coast,” I found myself deliberating over several choices, each one promising a unique culinary experience. Then, during a second, more thorough browse, I stumbled upon these BBQ Pork Lettuce Wraps – a recipe I had surprisingly overlooked initially. As a devoted fan of fresh, flavorful lettuce cups and wraps, I knew immediately that these had to be my next culinary project. The idea of tender pork embraced by crisp lettuce was simply too enticing to pass up.

This recipe calls for a bit of patience, as the pork is slowly cooked to achieve ultimate tenderness and flavor. And let’s be honest, culinary perfection can rarely be rushed! The slow braising process is what transforms a simple cut of pork into a succulent, melt-in-your-mouth experience. I particularly appreciate that the recipe opts for slow cooking the pork in the oven rather than a slow cooker. While I certainly value the convenience and simplicity of a slow cooker for many dishes, I’ve consistently found that oven braising yields a superior texture for meat like pork shoulder. The consistent, gentle heat of the oven creates a rich, moist result with a beautifully developed flavor profile that’s hard to replicate otherwise. This method ensures the pork is truly fall-apart tender, making all the difference in dishes like these flavorful pork lettuce wraps.

Flavor Profile and Serving Suggestions

The magic of this recipe lies in its exquisite blend of flavors. The pork is braised in a harmonious fusion of classic BBQ sauce and a carefully selected mix of Asian-inspired ingredients, including hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, and soy sauce. This combination creates a deeply savory and slightly sweet profile with subtle tangy notes. Once fully cooked, the pork becomes incredibly tender and easily shreds, absorbing all the delicious braising liquid. It’s then ready to be nestled into crisp lettuce cups, providing a delightful contrast in texture.

These vibrant wraps are generously topped with a delightful Asian dipping sauce – a vibrant mix of Thai sweet chili sauce and fresh cucumber – along with crunchy salted peanuts and fragrant cilantro, creating a symphony of textures and tastes with every bite. The fresh herbs and nuts add a wonderful dimension that elevates the dish beyond just the savory pork.

Truthfully, I could happily enjoy a meal like this every single day and be a very content person! The combination of the tender, flavorful meat and the savory sauces, while leaning slightly towards the salty side (as is often characteristic of many authentic Asian-inspired dishes), was absolutely perfect for my palate. It’s a bold, satisfying flavor that truly hits the spot and leaves you craving more.

A brilliant tip from the recipe that I found incredibly helpful was submerging the lettuce in ice water. I often struggle to get iceberg lettuce perfectly crisp and cupped for wraps, but this technique genuinely made a significant difference. The leaves emerged beautifully crunchy and held their shape wonderfully, making them ideal vessels for the flavorful pork. While I might still gravitate towards romaine hearts for their inherent ease in forming cups in the future, the satisfying crunch and ideal size of the iceberg lettuce in this application were undeniable highlights that added a refreshing element to the meal.

These BBQ Pork Lettuce Wraps were, without a doubt, a culinary home run. The flavors were perfectly balanced, the pork was exquisitely tender, and the overall experience was simply delightful. An added bonus? The leftover pork was absolutely incredible, if not even better the next day, making meal prep a breeze! I made sure to savor every last bit, ensuring none of that deliciousness went to waste. This is certainly a recipe that will earn a permanent spot in our meal rotation and one we look forward to making again and again, whether for a weeknight dinner or entertaining guests.

More Irresistible Pork Recipes

• Braised Country Style Ribs
• Panko Pork Chops with Creamy Herb Dressing
• Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin

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BBQ Pork Lettuce Wraps Recipe

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Author: Deborah Harroun

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes

Total Time: 3 hours 50 minutes

Servings: 6-8 servings

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These BBQ Pork Lettuce Wraps feature pork slowly braised in an Asian-inspired BBQ sauce, served on crisp lettuce leaves for a low-carb, flavor-packed dinner.

Ingredients

• 4 cloves garlic, skins removed and smashed
• 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
• 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons low-sodium beef or chicken broth
• 3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 2 lbs. pork shoulder, trimmed and cut into 3 equal-sized pieces*
• 4 thick slices ginger, unpeeled
• 2 small heads of lettuce, cored and cut in half
• 1 cup Thai sweet chili sauce
• 1/4 cup minced English cucumber
• 6 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup salted peanuts, roughly chopped
• 1/4 cup cilantro, roughly chopped
• 2 limes, quartered

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 300ºF (150ºC).
2. In a heavy pan or Dutch oven with a lid, just large enough to hold the pork in a single layer, combine the garlic, BBQ sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, soy sauce, broth, and salt. Add the pork and turn to coat in the sauce. Cover the pan and cook in the oven for 1 hour.
3. Remove from the oven and turn the pork. Baste generously with the pan juices. Return to the oven to cook for another hour.
4. Turn the pork again and baste with the sauces. Add the ginger slices. Cover and continue cooking for another 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until the pork is absolutely falling-apart tender. Remember to baste the meat every 30 minutes during this final cooking stage.
5. Once cooked, remove the pan from the oven and allow the pork to cool slightly, making it easier to handle. Carefully remove and discard the garlic and ginger slices. Trim off any visible excess fat from the pork. Using two forks, shred the tender pork directly in the pan, then mix it thoroughly with the rich pan juices until well combined.
6. To prepare the lettuce cups, fill a large bowl with ice water. Submerge the lettuce leaves in the ice water to crisp them up, ensuring water gets between each layer for maximum crispness.
7. In a separate bowl, prepare the dipping sauce by combining the Thai sweet chili sauce, minced English cucumber, and half of the thinly sliced green onions. Stir everything together until well mixed.
8. To serve these delicious wraps, squeeze a little fresh lime juice over the shredded pork mixture. Then, generously top with the chopped cilantro, salted peanuts, and the remaining green onions. Encourage each person to build their own custom lettuce cup with the flavorful pork, adding more lime juice if desired, and a dollop of the refreshing dipping sauce.

Recipe Notes:

*While I initially used a center-cut pork roast, I highly recommend adhering to the recipe’s suggestion of using pork shoulder. The added fat content in pork shoulder is crucial for achieving the incredibly tender, moist, and flavorful results that truly make this dish shine.

This recipe was slightly adapted from EATING UP THE WEST COAST.