Prepare your Korean sauce by combining the soy sauce, brown sugar, fresh garlic, ginger, sesame oil, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Whisk until combined. You’ll notice the sweet and savory aroma wafting through the kitchen as you mix.
In a separate bowl, mix the cornstarch and water until it forms a thin paste. This will help to thicken your sauce later, giving it that perfect consistency.
Now, in a large skillet, brown the ground beef and diced onion over medium-high heat. As the beef cooks, break it up with a spoon until it’s no longer pink. The sizzle of the beef is music to the ears!
Once the beef is browned, stir in the water chestnuts. Their crunch will provide a delightful contrast to the tender beef.
Next, add the Korean sauce you prepared earlier to the beef mixture. Bring it to a simmer, allowing it to bubble gently. You’ll see the sauce start to coat the beef beautifully.
Let it cook for about 5 more minutes or until the sauce thickens to your liking. The kitchen should start filling with mouthwatering smells.
While the beef is cooking, core the butter lettuce and gently remove the leaves. Be careful not to tear them, as they’ll be your wraps. Rinse and dry the leaves to ensure they’re fresh.
Now for the fun part! Take a spoonful of the Korean beef mixture and place it in each lettuce leaf. Top it off with some shredded carrots and sliced green onions for added color and flavor.
If you like, drizzle your choice of spicy mayo or yum yum sauce over the top. This creamy element will add a wonderful dimension to the wraps.
Serve immediately and enjoy the delightful experience of eating these gorgeous wraps with family or friends!