Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps with Chickpeas and Pesto

Name: Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps with Chickpeas and Pesto
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil; 3 cups canned chickpeas, (drained and rinsed); 2 teaspoons cumin, (ground); 2 cups fresh basil leaves; ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil; 1 tablespoon lime juice, (freshly squeezed); 1 garlic clove; 1 teaspoon cumin, (ground); salt, (to taste); pepper, (to taste); 1 head bibb lettuce

Why This Recipe Works

These vegetarian lettuce wraps are soy-free, gluten-free and full of fiber and protein! The chickpeas really help you feel full and satisfied!

The homemade basil pesto sauce takes just minutes to blend together and adds the most incredible fresh flavor to these lettuce wraps!

This is an excellent dish to make if you do meal prep! Store the chickpeas and pesto in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I love how they taste when they are served cold straight from the fridge!

🛒 Ingredients You'll Need

Ingredients for Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps, Bibb lettuce, olive oil, chickpeas, basil leaves, garlic, lime, cumin, salt and pepper.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil - adds a rich flavor to the chickpeas, perfect for lightly sauteeing them.

Chickpeas - full of fiber and protein, chickpeas (also called garbanzo beans) are the protein source of these vegetarian lettuce wraps, making them super filling and nutrient-dense.

Ground Cumin - adds a warm, earthy flavor to the chickpeas.

Fresh Basil Leaves - for the fresh basil pesto, adds a fresh and herby flavor to the chickpeas.

Lime Juice - freshly squeezed for a fresh and tangy flavor that enhances the pesto.

Garlic Clove - infuses the pesto with a fresh kick of garlic flavor.

Bibb or Boston Lettuce - soft leaves are perfect for folding around the chickpea filling, and the mild flavor complements the filling without overpowering it.

Salt - to enhance the other flavors of the dish.

Pepper - adds a peppery kick of heat and complex flavor to the dish.

Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full ingredients list & instructions!

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🔪 Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions

Sautéing chickpeas and cumin in olive oil.

Step 1: Start with preparing the chickpea salad. It's so easy. Heat a Tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil in a saucepan, add the cumin and chickpeas. Sauté for a couple of minutes. Set aside in a bowl.

Ingredients for pesto in a food processor.

Step 2: Next prepare the pesto sauce. Add in fresh basil leaves, extra virgin olive oil, a garlic clove, lime juice, a bit more cumin, and some salt and pepper to a food processor. Put the top on the food processor and pulse for a couple of minutes until your ingredients are well blended.

Step 3: Once all the pesto sauce ingredients are chopped up and well combined, remove from the food processor using a spatula.

Step 4: Pour the pesto into a small saucepan and turn the stovetop on medium-high. You'll want to cook this crazy yummy pesto for 4-5 minutes, adding salt and pepper to taste as needed.

A bowl of seasoned chickpeas covered in basil pesto.

Step 5: Once the pesto sauce is hot, pour it into the bowl of chickpeas. Stir well to combine.

Vegetarian lettuce wraps filled with chickpeas and pesto.

Step 6: Tear off each leaf of your Bibb Lettuce and wash well. Scoop a spoonful of the Pesto Chickpea into each leaf and you've got yourself a super healthy lettuce wrap on your hands! Or just skip the lettuce, pick up a spoon and eat it out of the bowl. Either method is totally acceptable 🙂

🙋🏼‍♀️ Recipe FAQs

What kind of lettuce is good for lettuce wraps?

Any mild-tasting, pliable, leafy green will work for lettuce wraps. Bibb, Boston lettuce and Romaine lettuce are common choices that taste amazing and hold up well!

What goes well with lettuce wraps?

Soup, salads, raw or roasted veggies with hummus, ramen, chow mein, or steamed rice are all fantastic sides to serve with lettuce wraps.

Expert Tips

Before sautéing the chickpeas, drain, rinse, and dry them really well with a paper towel. Removing most of the moisture before heating them will help them crisp up even more.
You can eat these hot, at room temperature or cold. Personally, I enjoy them cold!
Garnishes like toasted pine nuts, crumbled feta cheese, or a drizzle of flavored olive oil elevate the flavor and presentation of these vegetarian lettuce wraps.
Store the chickpeas and pesto mixture in an air-tight refrigerator-safe container for up to 3 days.
Serve as an appetizer, lunch or snack!

Comments

5 from 7 votes