Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps

These 15 minute Taco Lettuce Wraps made with ground turkey are full of flavor from a quick homemade taco seasoning seasoned with just enough spice. Piled high in crunchy lettuce with all your favorite toppings, these are a light and healthy dinner everyone loves. 

Whenever I am eating lower carb, I feel like I am sticking anything I can into lettuce wraps. Burgers, deli meat, leftover chicken, anything really - it's a perfect vehicle for so many dishes. At the top of that list, are these Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps.

They are packed with flavor from all the spices, quick and easy to make, and a meal that the whole family devours.

Like any good tacos, these lettuce wrapped tacos are no different and it's all about the toppings. Plan on creating a spread of options and letting everyone build their own - shredded cheese, chopped tomatoes, cilantro, sour cream, guacamole, and if you trust me - dill pickles. Seriously, they make this taco amazing.

These lettuce wraps are also delicious using the beef from these Ground Beef Tacos.

How to Make Ground Turkey Taco Meat

The key to making really delicious taco meat all comes down to the seasoning. These can be made with store bought or homemade taco seasoning, but I always recommend homemade since you get to control the ingredients. Then to ensure the lean turkey stays tender, I also like to add some diced tomatoes to the mix. Here's what to do:

1. Start by brown the turkey until it's cooked through. Drain any fat or liquid from cooking.
2. Add the taco seasoning and drained diced tomatoes. Give everything a good stir and let it cook for 3-4 minutes for the meat to get well seasoned and the sauce to thicken slightly.
3. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
4. For a thicker sauce, add a cornstarch slurry to the meat mixture. Once it begins bubbling, turn down the heat and let it sit for 2-3 minutes for the sauce to thicken. 

What's the best lettuce for wraps?

There are three main options when it comes to making lettuce wraps - Romaine, Bibb or butter lettuce, and Iceberg Lettuce. Here are the pros and cons of each:

• Romaine lettuce is a great vehicle for lettuce wraps since it is crunchy and won't fall apart. However, the shape can be a little difficult to eat since the lettuce tends to break if you try to bend it. 
• Bibb or butter lettuce is softer lettuce with leaves almost shaped like a little bowl. It's a favorite for wraps but it can wilt or break easily if not super fresh. It can also be expensive.
• Iceberg lettuce provides some crunch and more of a wrap-style shape, but it has the least nutritional value. You also may have to discard a lot of outer leaves to get to leaves that will work for wraps.

Topping Ideas

Any time you are having a taco, the toppings are one of the most important parts. Not only do they add flavor and texture, but they also allow everyone at dinner to build their perfect bite. Here are some favorites:

• Pickles are my absolute favorite topping on Tex-Mex style ground meat tacos. Dice up some crunchy dill pickles and place them on top. May sound strange but there is nothing better.
• Shredded cheese is a traditional taco topping. Consider using cheddar, Mexican cheese, mozzarella, or queso fresco for something different.
• When it comes to veggies, think about including chopped tomatoes, onions, and cilantro. 
• Serve some salsa or taco sauce on the side to add spice.
• For some healthy fats, consider serving guacamole or sliced avocado on the side.
• To cool off the heat, serve them with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt.

Recipe Tips and Ideas

• For a heartier lettuce wrap, add a can of drained black beans or pinto beans to the taco meat. Canned or frozen corn is delicious as well and adds some texture and sweetness.
• For a spicier mixture, add a chopped fresh jalapeno or serrano pepper. Other options include diced green chilies, red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or some chopped chipotles in adobo.
• Another option for bulking up the mixture is to add some cooked rice, quinoa, or couscous to the taco meat
• This recipe will work with ground turkey, ground chicken, ground beef, or vegetarian ground meat substitute. It also works with sliced chicken breasts or chicken thighs. Try a more traditional taco protein and make these taco lettuce wraps with the pork used in these easy pork tacos.
• Looking for something heartier? Try this Turkey Taco Skillet.
• Turn this into a giant turkey taco salad instead of individual lettuce wraps.

Meal Prep

These turkey tacos make the best meal prep for quick and healthy lunches or a make ahead dinner.  Make sure to pack the lettuce separately so that it stays crunchy and doesn't wilt. Then pack the other toppings on the side. Heat up the turkey in the microwave or a skillet and then assemble the wraps.

More Lettuce Wrap Recipes

• Chicken Lettuce Wraps
• Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps
• Blackened Chicken Salad
• Asian Meatballs