Chicken Lettuce Wraps for a Crowd
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Asian Lettuce Wraps for a Crowd of 50
Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
1 hr
 
Don't be intimidated. These Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps are not only a HUGE CROWD PLEASER, they are easy to make, can be made ahead and will keep for several days in the refrigerator. The filling freezes beautifully and can be easily reheated on your stovetop or in the oven.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese, Cooking for a Crowd
Servings: 50 servings
Author: Betsy Edwards
Ingredients
Dipping Sauce
  • 2 cups water
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 1/4 cup chopped chives
  • 1 tablespoon Sriracha
Lettuce Wraps
  • 5 heads leaf lettuce (12 - 15 leaves each)
  • 5 pounds ground pork - can substitute ground chicken breast if desired
  • 1/2 cup sesame oil
  • 5 pounds button mushrooms - sliced
  • 2 1/2 large yellow onions - finely chopped
  • 10 cloves garlic - minced, about 4 tablespoons - use the stuff in a jar
  • 1 cup soy sauce or to taste
  • 1/2 cup plus 2 teaspoons hoisin sauce
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
  • 1/2 cup rice wine vinegar
  • 5 (8 ounce) cans water chestnuts - drained and finely chopped
  • 7 1/2 cups shredded cabbage
  • 2 tablespoons white sesame seeds
  • 4 bunches green onions chopped
Special Equipment
  • 1 20-3/4" x 12-3/4" x 4" disposable aluminum pan (this is a full-size) steam table pan
Instructions
Make the Dipping Sauce
  1. In a large bowl, combine the dipping sauce ingredients and whisk until fully mixed. Set aside or cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Make the Lettuce Wraps
  1. Within 4 hours of serving, cut off root end of lettuce within 1 inch of the end. Gently separate lettuce leaves. Set aside.

  2. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F.   Place ground pork in the disposable aluminum pan,  breaking it up and spreading evenly.  Bake until browned and cooked through, stirring several times to break it up, about 50 - 60 minutes. When done, remove the pork from the oven, break up into small 1/2 size pieces  and set aside.

  3. Meanwhile, in 1 - 2 large skillets over medium heat, add the sesame oil, onions and mushrooms. Sauté until mushrooms are tender and golden brown and the onions are translucent and soft, stirring frequently.

  4. To the mushroom and onion mixture, add the garlic, reduce heat to medium and cook 30 seconds or until fragrant, stirring frequently.  Add the garlic, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, ginger, rice wine vinegar, water chestnuts and shredded cabbage to the pan, stir, and let simmer 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

  5. Add the mushroom and onion mixture to the disposable pan containing the pork. Mix well to thoroughly combine.

MAKE AHEAD NOTE: The pork mixture can be made to this point and refrigerated, covered for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months. To re-heat, warm in 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes or until hot. Taste and add a bit of water or chicken broth if too dry.

  1. To serve, pile the lettuce leaves on a plate. Serve the hot pork mixture from the pans, sprinkling with white sesame seeds and 1 bunch green onions cut on the diagonal. Serve the dipping sauce in several bowls with spoons to allow people to spoon over the chicken mixture.

Recipe Notes

Slow Cooker Instructions: Can be kept warm on LOW for 2 hours until ready to serve. If mixture becomes too dry, rehydrate with a splash of chicken broth or water.