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    TaraTeaspoon » Recipes » Easy Christmas Recipes

    The Best Holiday Appetizer - Christmas Tree Lettuce Wraps

    Published: Dec 4, 2019 · Updated: Oct 22, 2020 by Tara Teaspoon · This page contains affiliate and sponsored links. See my full disclosure

    Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
    lettuce wrap with meatballs arranged on white plate

    An easy lettuce wraps Christmas tree is the best holiday party appetizer. Use frozen meatballs and fresh veggies. With sweet chili sauce, it's Christmas party food that's sure to please.


    lettuce wrap shaped as christmas tree appetizer on white plate

    Thanks to Farm Rich for partnering on this content.

    This post has been sponsored and may include affiliate links. For more information please see my disclosure agreement.

    Jump to:
    • Christmas themed appetizers
    • The best appetizer to bring to a party
    • What is the best lettuce for wraps?
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    If you're throwing a Christmas party, attending one, or just need a holiday pick-me-up for family dinner, here's the party platter for you!

    Christmas themed appetizers

    When planning what kind of food to serve at a Christmas party I always think about both savory and sweet options.

    I've got my go-to holiday appetizer for kids, and Chicken Bites Christmas Wreath for kids and adults to nibble on. Both made with frozen Farm Rich snacks that are easy to prepare.

    For savory holiday nibbles, cute Christmas appetizers are usually a shoe-in for compliments and happy friends. I took a simple lettuce wrap idea and turned it into the perfect holiday platter.

    Using Farm Rich Homestyle Meatballs, my Thai lettuce wraps make for an easy finger food recipe for a crowd. And arranged just so, an impressive food centerpiece.

    vertical image of meatball lettuce wraps with rice

    The best appetizer to bring to a party

    I like to keep holiday cooking fun and easy. Food that is quick to assemble, travels well and can be served warm or at room temperature is the best food for a Christmas party.

    Even if you're throwing the party at home, and not traveling, you'll want to take advantage of these helpful things!

    A great party appetizer for me also includes some homemade elements and store bought elements. Semi-homemade is super easy is what I say!

    I made rice, chopped some veggies and peanuts and cleaned lettuce leaves. Then used frozen meatballs and store bought sweet chili sauce to finish off the simple prep.

    package of Farm Rich frozen meatballs

    Farm Rich frozen Meatballs are just one of the many snacks and appetizers I use to create easy meals, finger foods for parties and new appetizer ideas. They're quick to prepare and versatile.

    You can simmer the meatballs in sauce, sauté them or bake them in the oven with the rest of dinner. These meatballs are also microwavable and made with hearty ground beef and savory pork. A delicious combination!

    You can find the meatballs in the freezer section of most grocery stores, on their website product locator or even on Amazon Fresh delivery!

    ingredients in bowls for christmas lettuce wraps

    Prep tips:

    I used Thai-inspired ingredients to create a flavorful, asian lettuce wrap. Carrots, bell peppers, cucumbers, scallions and peanuts can all be sliced and diced ahead of time, stored in containers in the fridge and kept ready to go.

    You can cook your own rice, use instant or even frozen rice (I know stores now have this in handy packets!)

    Toss the cooked meatballs in a little sweet chili sauce and serve extra for drizzling, and really you're done! Chopped peanuts and toasted sesame seeds are an easy garnish that takes the look of these nibbles up a notch.

    how to set up lettuce leaves on a platter for christmas tree shape

    What is the best lettuce for wraps?

    Lettuce with a good, cupped shape works best for lettuce wraps. I prefer a soft lettuce like Boston, Butter or Bibb. You'll often find these in little heads, or in clam shells at the store.

    You can also use iceberg lettuce, but I like the deep green color the tips of Butter lettuce has for my Christmas tree lettuce wraps.

    I like to clean and dry my lettuce leaves, and assemble them in a Christmas tree shape on my platter before assembling. This lets me see if my platter is large enough and what bowl I should use for the dip (the tree trunk!).

    The platter here is about 17-inches in diameter. Here's a pretty silver tray about the same size. You could use a cutting board or other surface in place of a platter as well.

    My "trunk" bowl is about 3-inches in diameter. Here are some pretty, small wooden bowls that would work well!

    lettuce wraps with meatballs and asian flavors on white round platter

    Find more easy Christmas appetizers and finger foods on Tara Teaspoon

    meatball lettuce wraps with chopped vegetables and rice

    I add a little rice to each lettuce leaf, top with saucy meatballs and veggies then garnish with scallions, peanuts and sesame seeds.

    Each ingredient adds flavor and color. The vegetables look like colorful Christmas lights on the sea of green lettuce. Meatballs are like ornaments!

    Make extras and keep them on a platter or baking sheet handy to swap out or replenish your party tray.

    Make these Asian lettuce wraps for a weeknight dinner instead of party appetizers.

    Swap BBQ sauce for the sweet chili sauce for a zesty option.

    📖 Recipe

    meatball lettuce wraps in shape of christmas tree feature

    Christmas Tree Lettuce Wraps

    Tara Teaspoon
    This easy lettuce wraps Christmas tree is the best holiday appetizer. With frozen meatballs, veggies and sweet chili sauce the prep is simple.
    5 from 11 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Work Time 40 minutes mins
    Total Time 40 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer, Dinner
    Servings 12 lettuce wraps

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 heads Butter or Bibb lettuce
    • 24 Farm Rich Homestyle Meatballs (about ½ bag)
    • 1¼ cups sweet chili sauce
    • 2 cups cooked long grain rice
    • 3 Persian cucumbers (diced)
    • 2 carrots (julienned or thinly sliced)
    • ½ yellow bell pepper (diced)
    • ½ red bell pepper (diced)
    • 3 scallions (white and green parts sliced)
    • ⅓ cup chopped peanuts
    • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

    Instructions
     

    • Separate lettuce leaves, wash and pat dry. Select 12 small leaves for lettuce wraps. Some leaves may be layered for stability if they are small. If not using immediately, store in refrigerator.
    • Arrange leaves on a large platter or cutting board in a Christmas Tree shape. I used 9, and you can keep extras off to the side, or build a larger tree. Place a small bowl at the base for a trunk and fill with some sweet chili sauce.
    • Heat meatballs according to package directions and toss with about ½ cup of sweet chili sauce.
    • Assemble lettuce wraps with a spoonful of rice, then top with a few meatballs and a some mixed veggies. Sprinkle entire tree with scallions, chopped peanuts and sesame seeds. Serve warm or at room temperature with the extra sauce for drizzling.

    Notes

    Make extras and keep them on a platter or baking sheet handy to swap out or replenish your party tray.
    Make these Asian lettuce wraps for a weeknight dinner instead of party appetizers.
    Swap BBQ sauce for the sweet chili sauce for a zesty option.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 203kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 8gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 292mgPotassium: 270mgFiber: 2gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 2808IUVitamin C: 18mgCalcium: 35mgIron: 1mg
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    Tara Teaspoon

    I’ve been in food publishing for over 25 years, creating recipes & food-styling for magazines, books, television, food brands, & advertising. With two cookbooks under my belt and thousands of my recipes at your fingertips, I hope you'll be inspired to spend more time in the kitchen!

    More about Tara

    Comments

      5 from 11 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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    1. Chef Dennis says

      December 09, 2019 at 9:49 pm

      This Christmas Tree Lettuce Wraps recipe is really perfect for our coming Christmas party. My family will definitely love this appetizer. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    2. Denise says

      December 10, 2019 at 4:38 pm

      This is my kind of appetizer! It looks easy and delicious! I love how you arranged the lettuce cups to look like a tree too.

      Reply
    3. Jacqui Debono says

      December 11, 2019 at 6:47 pm

      This is such a good idea for a quick and healthy appetizer. Perfect for holiday entertaining too.

      Reply
    4. Patti@PattyCakesPantry says

      December 12, 2019 at 9:33 pm

      I am also a fan of frozen meatballs for holiday appetizers. I love how festive this plate of appetizers looks, so I pinned your recipe. I plan to make this for our Christmas Eve party.

      Reply
    5. Danielle says

      December 12, 2019 at 11:43 pm

      Veggies and meatballs in the shape of a Christmas tree - how cute is that?! 🙂 Can't wait to surprise my friends when they come over for a party!

      Reply
    6. Elaine says

      December 13, 2019 at 1:36 am

      Oh wow - it is SO CUTE! I will have to make it at least a few times this season. Creative, colorful and delicious! 🙂

      Reply
    7. Veronika says

      December 14, 2019 at 2:15 pm

      Wow! This is a great Christmas appetizer! and so easy to make! I think I will make it nest week for our guests!

      Reply
    8. Loreto and Nicoletta says

      December 15, 2019 at 6:55 pm

      Such a clever and delectable idea to use frozen meatballs when you're short on time. With fresh veggies, they pair really well, plus the presentation is so pretty!

      Reply
    9. Jo says

      December 15, 2019 at 9:35 pm

      Such an easy and brilliant way to serve lettuce wraps as Christmas tree appetizer! This is something I would eat any day, any time. Looks delicious!

      Reply
    10. MIa says

      January 05, 2021 at 9:02 pm

      The Thai lettuce wraps are absolutely divine! And what a great idea to make a Christmas Tree. Bravo!

      Reply

    Hi, I'm Tara Teaspoon!

    I’ve been sharing my original ideas for years. What began as a passion, turned into a publishing career as Food Editor at Martha Stewart Living and Ladies’ Home Journal magazines.

    Now I write cookbooks, and share delicious recipes and expert cooking tips with you here! Thanks for stopping by Tara Teaspoon!

    More about me →

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