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Turkey lettuce wraps filled with seasoned ground turkey and green onions on a plate
Dreena Grace Burthon

Turkey Lettuce Wraps with Asian-Inspired Flavor

Savory ground turkey cooked with a simple sauce and served in crisp lettuce leaves. Light but filling. A good fit for easy diabetic dinner recipes and quick weeknight meals.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: dinner
Cuisine: Asian Inspired
Calories: 320
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
  • 1 lb ground turkey not ultra lean
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger grated, optional
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
  • 1 tbsp hoisin sauce or honey
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp rice vinegar or lime juice
  • 1 tsp chili paste or sriracha optional
  • 1 head butter lettuce leaves separated
Optional
  • 2 green onions sliced
  • 1/4 cup shredded carrots
  • 1/4 cup water chestnuts chopped
  • 2 tbsp peanuts or cashews crushed

Equipment

  • 1 Large Skillet or Frying Pan
  • 1 Wooden spoon or spatula
  • 1 Cutting board
  • 1 Knife
  • 1 Small bowl optional, for sauce

Method
 

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Let it warm up for a minute.
  2. Add the ground turkey to the pan. Let it cook untouched for about a minute, then break it up and cook until mostly browned.
  3. Push the turkey to one side of the pan. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 2 to 3 minutes.
  4. Add the garlic and ginger. Stir everything together and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  5. Stir in the soy sauce, hoisin or honey, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and chili paste if using.
  6. Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the turkey.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Add more salt, heat, or sweetness as you like.
  8. Spoon the turkey mixture into lettuce leaves and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Use ground turkey that has a little fat. Super lean turkey dries out fast and makes the filling bland.
  • Don’t rush the browning step. Let the turkey sit in the pan before breaking it up. That’s where flavor starts.
  • Taste the sauce before serving. A small splash of soy sauce, vinegar, or sweetener can fix a lot.
  • Keep the lettuce separate until you eat. Assembled wraps do not hold well and get limp.
  • Leftover turkey filling keeps well in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat in a pan if possible.
  • If the filling looks dry, add a spoonful of water or broth and stir. It loosens right up.
  • This recipe is flexible. Adjust heat, sweetness, and salt based on what you like and what you have.