steak & tofu lettuce wraps – a perfect game day bite

April 17th, 2008 | Filed under: entree, recipe, sides & bites | Tags: bulgur, salad, steak, tofu, sports eats
steak & tofu lettuce wraps with bulgur salad

Ever found yourself at a sports event craving something lighter than hot dogs and nachos, but just as satisfying? These steak & tofu lettuce wraps with a side of bulgur salad are my new favorite sports stadium eats—healthy, portable, and full of bold flavor.

Inspired by the idea of crafting a game day meal that won’t weigh you down, I combined crisp lettuce leaves, savory marinated proteins, and a punchy grain salad for the perfect snack to bring to a sports game. Whether you’re tailgating, packing lunch for a ballpark day, or planning a sporty picnic, this dish hits the spot.

Steak & Tofu Lettuce Wraps with Bulgur Salad
Make it vegetarian by skipping the steak—still a win!

  • 1 lb. skirt steak
  • 14 oz. firm tofu, sliced
  • 16 oz. tamarind nectar or apple juice
  • 4 garlic cloves, smashed
  • 2 tbsp. shoyu
  • Pinch chipotle or cayenne pepper
  • 2 tbsp. natural cane sugar
  • 1 cup bulgur, uncooked
  • 1 cucumber + 2 carrots, shredded
  • 1 bunch scallions, sliced
  • 1/2 cup basil + 1/3 cup mint, chopped
  • 1 tbsp. sesame oil + 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 2 tbsp. shoyu + juice of 1/2 lime
  • 1 tsp. honey + dashes of fish sauce
  • 10 lettuce leaves (Boston or butter)

Marinate steak and tofu separately in a tamarind-soy-garlic mix for at least 2 hours (overnight for best flavor). Broil steak until charred and cooked through; pan-fry tofu until golden on both sides. Cook bulgur using hot water soak or stovetop.

Toss cooked bulgur with shredded vegetables and fresh herbs. Dress with a limey vinaigrette made from sesame oil, vinegar, honey, and fish sauce.

To serve, layer a lettuce leaf with bulgur, sliced steak and tofu. It’s like a taco, but way better for long sports afternoons. Bonus: you’ll feel great about eating it—and even better cheering from the bleachers with one in hand.

This one’s for all the health-conscious sports fans out there!

If you enjoyed this recipe, you might also like:
Roast Chicken With Fingerlings Carrots,
Jerk Chicken Nectarine Goat Cheese Salad,
Red Currant Necatrine Thyme Crisps,
Pomegranate Cherry Braised Pork,
Pancetta Golden Beet Gorgonzola Pasta,
Nicaraguan Style Repochetas Quesadilla Tacos.