Craving a Philly cheesesteak but trying to keep things low-carb? These Keto Philly Cheesesteak Lettuce Wraps are the perfect solution! Packed with all the flavors you love from the classic sandwich - tender steak, savory onions and peppers, and melty cheese - all nestled in crisp lettuce leaves, you won't even miss the bread. Ready in under 30 minutes and boasting less than 4 net carbs per serving, they're ideal for a quick weeknight meal, a satisfying lunch, or even a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Why Choose Lettuce Wraps?
Classic Philly cheesesteaks are undeniably delicious, but they can be heavy and difficult to digest. Traditional bread wraps add a significant amount of carbohydrates and calories. These lettuce wraps offer a lighter, refreshing alternative without sacrificing flavor. The crisp lettuce provides a satisfying crunch that complements the warm, juicy steak and sautéed vegetables perfectly.
Ingredients You'll Need
Here's a breakdown of the key ingredients for this flavorful recipe:
- Steak: 1 1/2 lbs of thinly shaved steak is ideal. You can find pre-shaved steak at most grocery stores, or ask your butcher to prepare it for you. Sirloin steak also works well; pound it slightly thinner with a meat mallet and slice into thin strips. Lean ground beef can be substituted if necessary.
- Vegetables: You'll need one large onion and two large bell peppers (green, red, or a combination for added color), all thinly sliced. Mushrooms can also be added.
- Cheese: Provolone cheese is a classic choice for cheesesteaks, offering a rich, sharp, and slightly salty flavor. However, feel free to substitute with your favorite cheese that melts well, such as American or Cooper Cheese. You'll need approximately 5 slices of provolone cheese, or 1 cup of shredded provolone.
- Lettuce: Large butterhead or romaine lettuce leaves work best for creating the wraps. Iceberg lettuce can also be used for extra crunch.
- Seasoning: Olive oil, salt, pepper, and dried oregano are essential for enhancing the flavors of the dish. Garlic powder can also be added.
- Butter: Butter is used to saute the vegetables and steak.
- Worcestershire sauce: Used to add flavor to the beef.
- Avocado Oil: Used to cook the steak and vegetables.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here's how to create these delicious Keto Philly Cheesesteak Lettuce Wraps:
1. Preparing the Vegetables
- Heat half of the butter (or 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil or avocado oil) in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the sliced onion and bell peppers.
- Season with salt, pepper, and oregano (if using).
- Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender, about 5-10 minutes.
- Remove the cooked vegetables from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
2. Cooking the Steak
- Heat the remaining butter (or 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil or avocado oil) in the same skillet over medium heat.
- Add the thinly sliced steak in a single layer.
- Season generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder (if using).
- Cook the steak until seared on one side, about 2 minutes.
- Flip the steak and cook until seared on the other side and cooked to your liking, about 2 more minutes for medium doneness.
- Add Worcestershire sauce to the beef plus salt and pepper to taste. Stir to combine.
3. Combining and Melting the Cheese
- Return the cooked onions and bell peppers to the skillet with the steak. Stir together well.
- Top the steak mixture evenly with slices or shredded provolone cheese.
- Cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid.
- Cook until the cheese is melted, about 1-2 minutes.
- Remove from heat.
4. Assembling the Lettuce Wraps
- Arrange the lettuce leaves on a serving platter.
- Scoop the steak and vegetable mixture onto each lettuce leaf.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, if desired.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Tips and Variations
- Spice it up: For those who like a little heat, add some hot cherry peppers to the skillet along with the onions and bell peppers.
- Cheese variations: Experiment with different types of cheese to find your favorite combination.
- Add mushrooms: Sauté sliced mushrooms with the onions and peppers for added flavor and texture.
- Make it ahead: Cook the meat and vegetables 2-3 days in advance and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in the skillet, add the cheese, and serve. You can also freeze the meat and vegetables (without cheese) for up to 4 months.
- Customize for the whole family: If some family members aren't following a keto diet, offer them the option of enjoying the cheesesteak filling in traditional bread rolls.
- Use a slow cooker: After cooking the meat and veggies, you could freeze individual portions so that you have lunch ready to go at a moment’s notice. If you make ahead and store in a slow cooker, this could even be an easy, healthy, low-carb potluck lunch option!
- Different lettuce: Romaine and Iceberg lettuce provides good crunch.
- Marinade: Using tongs, with the steak marinade sauté the beef and vegetables another 4-5 minutes until the beef is cooked through.
Serving Suggestions
These Keto Philly Cheesesteak Lettuce Wraps are delicious on their own, but you can also pair them with some low-carb sides for a complete meal. Consider serving them with:
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
- Sweet potato wedges or homemade baked fries (as a lighter alternative to traditional french fries).
- Roasted onions or Tennessee onions (a cheesy, gluten-free option) instead of onion rings.
- A side salad with a light vinaigrette.
Perfect for Meal Prep
These lettuce wraps are also a great option for meal prepping. To prepare them ahead of time:
- Cook the filling as directed, melting the cheese on top of the steak, peppers, and onions.
- Divide the cheesesteak filling into portions and store them in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- When ready to eat, reheat the beef mixture in the microwave until warm.
- Assemble the wraps with fresh lettuce leaves just before serving.
To save leftovers, it's best to store the meat filling separately from the lettuce to prevent the leaves from wilting.
Nutritional Information
Each serving of these Keto Philly Cheesesteak Lettuce Wraps contains approximately:
- Calories: (Varies depending on ingredients and serving size)
- Net Carbs: Less than 4 grams
Note: Nutritional information is an estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
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