Turkey Lettuce Wraps
Recipe Tested & Approved by Mia Hartwell
Every recipe is developed, cooked, and tested by Mia in a real home kitchen using everyday ingredients to ensure reliable, repeatable results.
Savory-sweet ground turkey with water chestnuts and ginger, spooned into crisp lettuce cups. A light, fresh, high-protein dinner that's fun to eat and ready in 25 minutes.
By Mia HartwellUpdated October 20, 2025
Developed using tested cooking methods — cook to the temperatures given and adjust times to your equipment.
Why you'll love this recipe
- Light, fresh, and fun to eat
- 30g of protein and only 14g of carbs per serving
- Ready in 25 minutes
- A crisp, low-carb alternative to wraps
Turkey Lettuce Wraps
24 min totalServes 4
Nutrition (per serving)
Values are estimates. See our disclaimer for details.
- Calories
- 290kcal
- Protein
- 30g
- Carbs
- 14g
- Fat
- 13g
- Fiber
- 3g
- Sugar
- 7g
Step-by-Step Instructions
- 1
Heat the sesame oil in a skillet over medium-high. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it up, until browned and cooked to 165°F (74°C), about 7 minutes.
- 2
Add the garlic and ginger and cook 1 minute.
- 3
Stir in the water chestnuts, soy sauce, hoisin, and rice vinegar, and cook 2-3 minutes until glazed.
- 4
Stir in most of the green onions and season to taste.
- 5
Spoon the turkey mixture into the lettuce cups.
- 6
Top with the remaining green onion and serve.
Pro Tips for the Best Results
- Use 93% lean turkey so it's lean but not dry; drain any excess liquid.
- Water chestnuts add a signature crunch — don't skip them.
- Butter or romaine lettuce make the sturdiest, crispest cups.
- Ground turkey must reach 165°F (74°C).
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How to Cook Turkey Lettuce Wraps
New to this dish? Follow along with the detailed guide below — we break down each stage so you get perfect results the very first time.
Brown the turkey
Cook the ground turkey in sesame oil until browned and at a safe 165°F (74°C), draining any excess liquid. The browning adds savory depth that the sauce builds on.
Glaze with aromatics and sauce
Bloom the garlic and ginger, then add water chestnuts and the soy-hoisin sauce. A couple of minutes of cooking glazes the turkey and lets the water chestnuts keep their signature crunch.
Spoon into crisp cups
Spoon the warm, glazed turkey into sturdy lettuce cups and top with green onion. The contrast of warm, savory filling and cool, crisp lettuce is what makes these wraps so satisfying.
Storage & Make-Ahead
Store the turkey filling in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Keep lettuce separate and assemble fresh. Reheat the filling in a skillet or microwave.
Serving Suggestions
This turkey lettuce wraps pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad, crusty bread, or your favorite grain. Add a simple side of roasted vegetables for a complete, satisfying dinner the whole family will enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use ground chicken or beef?+
Yes — both work. Cook chicken to 165°F (74°C) and beef to 160°F (71°C).
What lettuce is best?+
Butter (Bibb) lettuce makes tender cups; romaine hearts are sturdier and extra crisp.
Can I make the filling ahead?+
Yes — it keeps for 4 days; reheat and spoon into fresh lettuce cups when serving.
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