Gluten-Free Red Curry Pork Lettuce Wraps
Fresh and vibrant lettuce wraps filled with tender pork cooked in aromatic red curry paste, coconut milk, and fish sauce. The sweet-heat filling pairs beautifully with crisp romaine leaves and crunchy roasted cashews. Served alongside a tropical mango smoothie made with coconut milk and almond butter, this dish offers a perfect balance of spicy, sweet, and fresh flavors. Ideal for light dinners or entertaining, these wraps deliver restaurant-quality Thai-inspired flavors in a healthy, hand-held format.
Ingredients
- 4 cups mango, frozen cubes
- ¾ cup coconut milk, light
- 1 lime, juiced
- ⅓ cup almond butter
- 2 Tbsp orange juice, bottled or fresh-squeezed
- 2 tsp honey
- 2 Tbsp coconut aminos
- 1 tsp sriracha(optional)
- 2 Tbsp water
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- ⅓ cup roasted cashews, unsalted, chopped
- 1 lb pork tenderloin
- 1 head romaine lettuce
- ¼ cup fresh basil, roughly chopped
- 1 Tbsp cooking oil
- 2 tsp red curry paste
- 1 ½ tsp fish sauce
- 1 tsp honey
- ½ cup coconut milk, light
Instructions
- 1
Heat saute pan or wok over medium-high heat and add oil
- 2
When oil shimmers, add onions and bell peppers and saute until tender
- 3
Add pork and saute until nearly cooked through
- 4
Add curry paste, fish sauce, and honey, pressing against pan bottom to break apart
- 5
Add coconut milk and stir to combine
- 6
Simmer until coconut milk reduces slightly
- 7
Remove from heat and stir in basil and lime juice
- 8
Assemble wraps by topping lettuce leaves with pork filling and cashews
- 9
Serve with sauce for dipping and mango smoothie on the side
Tips
Press curry paste against pan bottom to release oils and break up clumps for even distribution
Don't overcook pork - it continues cooking slightly after removing from heat
Chill lettuce leaves before serving for extra crispness
Good to Know
Refrigerate assembled wraps up to 2 days. Store filling and lettuce separately for best texture.
Cook pork filling up to 2 days ahead and reheat gently before serving.
Serve immediately while pork is warm and lettuce is crisp.
Common Mistakes
Don't overcrowd pan when cooking pork to ensure proper browning
Add curry paste to hot oil to prevent burning and develop flavors
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I make these wraps dairy-free?
Yes, the recipe is already dairy-free using coconut milk instead of dairy products.
What if I don't have fish sauce?
Substitute with soy sauce or additional coconut aminos, though flavor will be less authentic.
How long will the mango smoothie keep?
Best consumed immediately, but can be refrigerated up to 24 hours. Stir before serving.