Quick & Flavorful Turkey Lettuce Wraps (Low-Carb & Asian-Inspired!)
Enjoy a light, fresh, and incredibly satisfying meal with these Quick & Flavorful Turkey Lettuce Wraps! Lean ground turkey is seasoned with aromatic garlic, savory soy sauce (or coconut aminos), and toasted sesame oil, then served in crisp lettuce cups. It’s a fast, low-carb, and gluten-free (with aminos) option that’s perfect for a healthy lunch or dinner!
Yields: 4 servings Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 10-15 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground turkey (preferably 93% lean or higher)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (for low-carb/keto, use coconut aminos for a soy-free and lower-carb option, or tamarifor gluten-free soy sauce)
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 head lettuce (such as iceberg, butter lettuce, or romaine hearts), leaves separated and washed
Optional Keto-Friendly Additions/Garnishes:
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (check for no added sugar)
- ½ teaspoon fresh ginger, grated or minced
- ¼ cup chopped green onions (scallions)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- A pinch of red pepper flakes for heat
Equipment:
- Large skillet or wok
- Spatula or wooden spoon
- Small bowl (for sauce)
- Whisk
- Paper towels
Instructions:
- Prepare Lettuce: Separate the leaves of the lettuce head. Rinse them thoroughly under cold water and pat them completely dry with paper towels. Set aside.
- Cook Turkey: Heat a large skillet (or wok) over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey to the hot skillet.
- Cook, breaking up the turkey with a spatula, until it is fully browned and cooked through, with no pink remaining. Drain any excess grease if necessary.
- Add Garlic & Seasoning: Add the minced garlic to the cooked ground turkey in the skillet. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the garlic is fragrant.
- Prepare & Add Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce (or coconut aminos/tamari) and toasted sesame oil. If using optional rice vinegar or grated ginger, whisk them into this sauce mixture as well.
- Pour the sauce mixture over the cooked ground turkey in the skillet and stir well to coat all the turkey.
- Continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to lightly coat the turkey.
- Serve & Enjoy! Spoon the cooked ground turkey mixture into the prepared lettuce cups.
- If desired, garnish with chopped green onions, sesame seeds, or red pepper flakes. Serve immediately and enjoy these flavorful wraps!
Tips for Success:
- Dry Lettuce: Ensure your lettuce leaves are thoroughly dry to prevent a watery wrap.
- Protein Options: Ground chicken or ground pork can be used as alternatives to ground turkey.
- Flavor Boost: Adding fresh grated ginger and rice vinegar to the sauce enhances the Asian-inspired flavor profile.
- Spice Level: Adjust red pepper flakes to your desired level of heat.
- Serving Suggestions: For a more substantial meal, you can also serve the turkey mixture over cauliflower rice.
Storage: Store any leftover cooked ground turkey mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Store lettuce leaves separately. Reheat the turkey mixture and assemble fresh wraps as desired.
Recipe Analysis & Dietary Classification
- High Protein: Yes, this recipe is very high in protein from the ground turkey.
- Low-Carb: Yes, this recipe is very low-carb. All core ingredients are naturally low in carbohydrates.
- Keto: Yes, this recipe is keto-friendly, with crucial attention to the soy sauce substitute:
- Soy Sauce: While traditional soy sauce contains wheat and some carbs, coconut aminos are an excellent keto-friendly, soy-free, and gluten-free alternative. Tamari is a gluten-free soy sauce option with similar carb counts to regular soy sauce, so coconut aminos are generally preferred for strict keto.
- Sesame Oil: Keto-friendly.
- Lettuce: Keto-friendly.
- Optional Additions: Check labels for rice vinegar (ensure no added sugar) and sriracha (many brands contain sugar) if adding.
- Gluten-Free: Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free, provided you use coconut aminos or certified gluten-free tamari instead of regular soy sauce, and check labels on any added seasonings.
