Asian Turkey Lettuce Wraps
A fresh, savory, and light meal. Tender ground turkey cooked in a flavorful Asian-inspired sauce with crunchy water chestnuts, all wrapped in crisp butter lettuce leaves. A perfect low-carb lunch ready in under 30 minutes!
For 4 servings
Prepare the vegetables and sauce.
- Carefully separate the leaves from the heads of butter lettuce. Wash, pat them dry, and set aside.
- Finely chop the onion and water chestnuts. Mince the garlic and grate the ginger.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sriracha, rice vinegar, and 2 tablespoons of the sesame oil. Set the sauce aside.
TIPTo make chopping easier, you can pulse the water chestnuts in a food processor a few times.Sauté the aromatics.
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
Cook the ground turkey.
- Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the ground turkey to the skillet. Use a spoon to break it up into small crumbles.
- Cook until the turkey is no longer pink and is fully browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain off any excess fat.
TIPDon't overcrowd the pan. If needed, brown the turkey in two batches to ensure it sears rather than steams.Combine filling with sauce.
Stir the chopped water chestnuts and the prepared sauce mixture into the cooked turkey. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and coat the filling.
Finish the filling.
Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the sliced scallions and the remaining 1 tablespoon of sesame oil. Season with a pinch of black pepper.
Assemble and serve the lettuce wraps.
To serve, spoon a generous amount of the turkey filling into each butter lettuce cup. Serve immediately.
TIPYou can set out the filling and lettuce cups separately to let everyone build their own wraps.
What to keep in mind.
4 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1For the best texture, use crisp lettuce varieties like butter lettuce, iceberg, or romaine hearts.
- 2Prepare all your vegetables and the sauce before you start cooking. The stir-frying process moves quickly!
- 3Don't overcrowd the pan when cooking the turkey, as it will steam instead of brown. Cook in batches if necessary.
- 4The filling can be made a day ahead. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat before serving.
Adapt it for your goals.
Vegetarian
Replace the ground turkey with 1.5 lbs of crumbled firm tofu, chopped mushrooms, or a plant-based ground meat alternative.
gluten freeGluten free
Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce, and ensure your hoisin sauce is certified gluten-free.
low carbLow carb
This recipe is naturally low in carbs. To reduce it further, use a sugar-free hoisin sauce.
quickQuick
Use pre-minced garlic and ginger from a jar to cut down on prep time.
Why this is on our healthy list.
High in Lean Protein
Ground turkey is an excellent source of lean protein, which is essential for muscle repair, growth, and keeping you feeling full and satisfied.
Low in Carbohydrates
By using crisp lettuce leaves instead of traditional wraps or bread, this meal is naturally low in carbs, making it a great option for low-carb and keto-friendly diets.
Rich in Nutrients
This dish is packed with aromatics like ginger and garlic, which are known for their anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, they are a very healthy option. They are high in lean protein from the turkey and packed with vegetables. Being served in lettuce instead of a grain-based wrap makes them low in carbohydrates.
