California Pizza Kitchen Lettuce Wraps Recipe: 1 Minute to a Fresh and Flavorful Wrap Delight

California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) lettuce wraps are a beloved appetizer, celebrated for their refreshing crunch, savory protein, and flavor-packed sauces. If you’re keen to recreate this restaurant favorite at home, you’ll be pleased to know the process is approachable and makes for an impressive shareable dish. Below, I’ll guide you through a step-by-step copycat recipe, plus share some plating and kitchen design-inspired tips to elevate your home cooking space and presentation.

Copycat California Pizza Kitchen Lettuce Wraps Recipe

Ingredients:

1. 12 leaves iceberg or butter lettuce (whole, washed, and dried)
2. 1 lb ground chicken or turkey
3. 2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
4. 1/3 cup diced water chestnuts
5. 1/4 cup diced red pepper
6. 2 green onions, thinly sliced
7. 2 cloves garlic, minced
8. 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
9. 1/3 cup hoisin sauce
10. 2 tablespoons soy sauce
11. 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
12. 1 tablespoon sesame oil
13. 1 teaspoon sriracha (optional for heat)
14. Chopped cilantro and sesame seeds for garnish (optional)

For the Dipping Sauce:

1. 3 tablespoons soy sauce
2. 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
3. 1 teaspoon sesame oil
4. 1 teaspoon sugar
5. 1/2 teaspoon grated ginger
6. 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
7. 1/2 teaspoon sriracha or chili garlic sauce (optional for spice)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the lettuce leaves by washing and drying them thoroughly. Keep them cold and crisp in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
2. Whisk all the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
3. Heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add minced garlic and ginger; cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Add the ground chicken or turkey and sauté, breaking it apart with a spoon, until no longer pink.
5. Stir in the diced red pepper and water chestnuts; cook for 2 minutes.
6. Add hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and sriracha. Toss to combine and cook for another 2 minutes. Stir in green onions.
7. To serve, spoon filling into chilled lettuce leaves. Garnish with cilantro and sesame seeds if desired. Serve with the dipping sauce on the side.

Tips 1:

As a designer, I always consider how a well-organized kitchen layout can transform the cooking and serving experience. A thoughtfully designed kitchen “work triangle” makes prep seamless, and an island or peninsula offers the ideal staging area for self-serve appetizers like these lettuce wraps. If you’re looking to improve your kitchen’s flow for entertaining and convenience, an efficient kitchen layout can make a notable difference to both style and function.

FAQ

Q: What type of lettuce works best for lettuce wraps?

A: Iceberg or butter lettuce is ideal due to their crispness and ability to hold fillings without tearing.

Q: Can I make these lettuce wraps vegetarian?

A: Yes, substitute ground chicken with crumbled tofu or a plant-based meat alternative. Increase the amount of vegetables for extra texture.

Q: Are California Pizza Kitchen lettuce wraps gluten-free?

A: They can be if you use gluten-free soy sauce and hoisin sauce. Double-check ingredient labels to be sure.

Q: How do I store leftover lettuce wrap filling?

A: Store the filling separately from the lettuce leaves in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Q: What are other protein options I can use?

A: Ground pork, shrimp, or even finely diced firm tofu all work well as substitutes for ground chicken or turkey.

Q: How do I keep lettuce leaves crisp when serving?

A: Store the leaves in the fridge until serving, or float them in ice water for a few minutes, then dry thoroughly right before bringing to the table.