Refreshing Minced Shrimp Lettuce Wraps with Apple and Celery

When the weather gets warm, I always enjoy dishes that feel light, crisp, and refreshing. These Asian Shrimp Lettuce Wraps are one of those recipes that feel satisfying without being too heavy. Tender diced shrimp is stir-fried with celery and apple, then served in fresh lettuce cups with a crunchy topping. The flavor is savory, lightly sweet, and refreshing, while the lettuce adds a crisp bite that makes this dish especially nice for summer meals, family dinners, or small gatherings.

Shrimp Lettuce Wraps

These Asian Shrimp Lettuce Wraps are light, crisp, and full of flavor. Tender diced shrimp is stir-fried with celery and apple, then served in fresh lettuce cups with a crunchy topping. It is a refreshing appetizer or light meal that is especially nice for warm days, family dinners, or small gatherings.

Servings 4 servings

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Equipment

• Non-stick Frying Pan
• Mixing bowl
• Paper towels

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 300 g shrimp peeled anddeveined
• 1/2 apple diced
• 2 stalks celery finely chopped
• lettuce leaves such as iceberglettuce, romaine lettuce, or butter lettuce, for wrapping
• unflavored Corn Flakes or Chinese fried dough sticks, or croutons. Optional, for crunch
• 1 tbsp rice wine or white wine
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp white pepper
• 1/8 tsp black pepper

Marinade

• 1 tbsp egg white approx. 1/2 an eggwhite
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp white pepper
• 1/2 tbsp sugar
• 2 tsp potato starch or cornstarch
• 1 tbsp sesame oil or vegetable oil

Instructions

• Prepare the Lettuce Cups

  Trim the edges of the lettuce leaves into a neat, round shape to create elegant "cups." This adds a professional touch to your presentation. If you’re enjoying this for a casual family meal, simply cutting them to a manageable size is fine. Rinse the leaves thoroughly and set them aside.
  
• Dry the shrimp well

  Prepare the shrimp by removing as much moisture as possible. Spread out each shrimp and pat the surface dry with paper towels. This helps the shrimp stir-fry better and prevents excess moisture in the pan.
  
• Dice the shrimp

  Once the shrimp is dry, flatten each piece slightly, then dice it into small pieces. Do not chop the shrimp too finely, so it keeps a nice, juicy texture after cooking.
  
• Marinate the shrimp

  Place the diced shrimp into a mixing bowl. Add 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp white pepper, 1/2 tbsp sugar, 2 tsp potato starch, 1 tbsp sesame oil, and 1/2 egg white. Mix until the shrimp and seasonings are evenly combined, then set it aside to marinate briefly.
  
• Prepare the apple

  Peel, core, and dice half an apple. Set it aside.
  
• Prepare the celery

  Remove the celery leaves and use only the stalks. Dice the celery stalks and set them aside.
  
• Stir-fry the shrimp

  Add 2 tbsp oil to a pan and heat over medium-high heat. Add the marinated shrimp and stir-fry quickly. Once the shrimp goes into the pan, stir right away to separate the pieces so they do not stick together.
  
• Add the celery

  Continue stir-frying until the shrimp changes color. Add the diced celery and stir-fry until the celery and shrimp are evenly mixed.
  
• Add the apple

  Add the diced apple and stir-fry briefly until everything is evenly combined. Turn off the heat right after mixing to prevent the apple from releasing too much moisture.
  
• Season and finish the shrimp filling

  Add 1 tbsp rice wine, 1/8 tsp black pepper, 1/4 tsp white pepper, and 1/2 tsp salt. Stir everything together quickly, then remove from the pan. The shrimp filling is ready.
  
• Assemble the shrimp lettuce wraps

  To serve, place some plain corn chips into each lettuce cup for extra crunch. Add the shrimp filling on top, then enjoy the wraps right away while the lettuce is crisp and the filling is warm and flavorful.
  

Video

Calories: 220kcal

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: Asia

Keyword: Summer Appetizer, Asian Appetizer, Shrimp Lettuce Wraps, Asian Shrimp Lettuce Wraps, Lettuce Wraps, Shrimp Appetizer, Seafood Appetizer

Cooking & Storage Tips

• Save the trimmed lettuce pieces
  If you trim the lettuce for a neater presentation, the leftover pieces do not need to be wasted. They can be used in sandwiches, salads, wraps, or as a simple side for another meal.
• Pat the shrimp dry before cooking
  Removing moisture from the shrimp helps it cook better and prevents the filling from becoming watery. It also helps the shrimp pieces separate more easily when stir-frying.
• Do not dice the shrimp too finely
  A slightly chunky texture makes the filling more satisfying. If the shrimp is chopped too small, it may lose its juicy bite after cooking.
• Stir-fry the shrimp quickly after adding it to the pan
  Once the shrimp goes into the hot pan, stir right away to separate the pieces. This prevents the shrimp from sticking together and helps them cook evenly.
• Add the apple near the end
  The apple adds a light sweetness and crisp texture. Stir-fry it briefly, then turn off the heat to prevent it from releasing too much moisture.
• Add crunch before serving
  Traditionally, Chinese fried dough sticks are often used for extra crunch, but croutons or plain corn chips also work well as easy substitutes. Add them right before serving so they stay crisp.
• Serve right away after assembling
  These shrimp lettuce wraps taste best when the lettuce is crisp, and the shrimp filling is warm. If you are preparing them ahead of time, keep the lettuce, shrimp filling, and crunchy topping separate until ready to serve.
  

Tools & equipment you may need

Pot

Seletion

Chef’s knife

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Last Updated on 2026-05-10