Summer Turkey Lettuce Wraps (Print Version)

Lean turkey filling in lettuce leaves, served with crunchy veggie sticks for a fresh, light summer option.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Turkey Filling

01 - 1.1 lbs lean ground turkey
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 1 small red onion, finely chopped
05 - 1 medium carrot, finely grated
06 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
07 - 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce or gluten-free tamari
08 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
09 - 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
10 - 1 tablespoon gluten-free hoisin sauce
11 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
12 - 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes
13 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped

→ Lettuce Wraps

14 - 1 large head butter lettuce or iceberg lettuce, leaves separated, washed, and dried

→ Crunchy Veggie Sticks

15 - 2 small carrots, cut into sticks
16 - 1 small cucumber, cut into sticks
17 - 1 red bell pepper, cut into sticks
18 - 1 celery stalk, cut into sticks

→ Garnishes

19 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
20 - 2 green onions, sliced
21 - Lime wedges

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red onion, sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
02 - Add ground turkey and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until no longer pink, approximately 5 minutes.
03 - Stir in grated carrot, diced bell pepper, ginger, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, black pepper, and chili flakes. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and vegetables to soften slightly.
04 - Remove from heat and stir in chopped cilantro.
05 - Lay lettuce leaves on a platter. Spoon turkey mixture into each leaf.
06 - Sprinkle wraps with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve with lime wedges on the side.
07 - Arrange veggie sticks on a plate. Serve wraps and veggie sticks together for a fresh, crunchy meal.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It comes together in 30 minutes flat, so you can feed yourself without heating up the whole kitchen on warm days.
  • The turkey stays tender and juicy when you don't overcook it, and the ginger-soy flavor is addictive without tasting complicated.
  • Crunchy veggie sticks on the side mean you're getting real nutrition that actually tastes good and keeps you satisfied.
02 -
  • Don't overcook the turkey—once it's no longer pink, it's done, because it'll keep cooking slightly even after you take it off the heat.
  • If your lettuce leaves are warm and floppy, they won't hold anything; wash and dry them in advance so they stay crisp and cold.
  • The ginger matters more than you might think; it's what separates this from tasting like basic ground turkey.
03 -
  • If the lettuce leaves are even slightly warm when you fill them, they get droopy; keep them in the coldest part of your fridge until the last second.
  • A squeeze of fresh lime juice over the entire wrap right before eating transforms it from good to memorable, so don't let people skip this step.
  • Cook the turkey filling completely before plating if you're making this for a gathering, then you can keep it warm in a low oven while people assemble their own wraps at their own pace.
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