Asian turkey lettuce wraps

Why you'll love this recipe

These Asian turkey lettuce wraps are the perfect low-carb lunch or dinner. They're light yet satisfying, bursting with flavour, and incredibly quick to make. The crisp lettuce provides a refreshing crunch that complements the savoury turkey filling perfectly.

Ingredients

For the turkey filling

• 400g turkey mince
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
• 4 spring onions, sliced (white and green parts separated)
• 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
• 100g water chestnuts, chopped (optional)

For the sauce

• 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sriracha (adjust to taste)
• 1 teaspoon honey

To serve

• 1 head butter lettuce or iceberg, leaves separated
• Sesame seeds
• Fresh coriander
• Lime wedges

Instructions

1. Mix the sauce: Whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, sriracha, and honey. Set aside.

2. Cook the aromatics: Heat sesame oil in a large pan or wok over high heat. Add garlic, ginger, and white parts of spring onions. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.

3. Brown the turkey: Add turkey mince, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through.

4. Add vegetables: Stir in bell pepper and water chestnuts. Cook for 2 minutes until slightly softened.

5. Add the sauce: Pour in the sauce mixture. Toss everything together and cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce coats the meat.

6. Serve: Spoon the turkey mixture into lettuce cups. Top with green spring onions, sesame seeds, fresh coriander, and a squeeze of lime.

Tips for success

• High heat is key: Keep the heat high for that slightly charred, restaurant-style flavour.
• Don't overcrowd: If your pan is small, cook the turkey in batches to ensure browning rather than steaming.
• Prep everything first: This cooks fast, so have all ingredients ready before you start.

Lettuce selection

• Butter lettuce: Soft, pliable cups that wrap easily. Mild flavour.
• Iceberg: Crisp and sturdy. Holds more filling without breaking.
• Romaine hearts: Good crunch, boat-shaped leaves work well.
• Cabbage leaves: Sturdier option, slightly stronger flavour.

Variations

• Chicken version: Swap turkey for chicken mince.
• Vegetarian: Use crumbled firm tofu or cauliflower rice.
• Thai style: Add Thai basil, fish sauce, and fresh chilli.
• Korean inspired: Use gochujang instead of sriracha, add kimchi.

Make it a meal

These wraps are light on their own. To make them more substantial:

• Serve over cauliflower rice for an extra 50 calories
• Add a side of edamame for more protein
• Include cucumber slices and pickled vegetables

Nutritional notes

Turkey mince is leaner than beef or pork, making it ideal for high-protein, lower-fat meals. Using lettuce instead of tortillas or bread dramatically reduces carbohydrates while adding vitamins and fibre. This recipe provides excellent protein-to-calorie ratio, perfect for fat loss goals.