Turkey Lettuce Wraps Recipe

The Turkey Lettuce Wraps Recipe is an absolute game-changer when you want a meal that’s bursting with vibrant flavors yet light and fresh. Imagine juicy ground turkey, perfectly sautéed with crunchy water chestnuts, earthy shiitake mushrooms, and aromatic garlic and ginger, all wrapped in crisp butter lettuce. It’s a delightful harmony of textures and colors that will have you reaching for seconds before you know it. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or hosting friends, this Turkey Lettuce Wraps Recipe is a surefire crowd-pleaser that feels special but comes together in just about 30 minutes.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Turkey Lettuce Wraps Recipe calls for simple, easy-to-find ingredients that each play a key role in creating the perfect balance of taste and texture. From fragrant oils to fresh vegetables, every item contributes something special to the dish.

• Vegetable oil (2 tablespoons, divided): Used for stir-frying; provides a neutral base to cook ingredients evenly.
• Sesame oil (1 teaspoon): Adds a subtle, nutty aroma that enhances the flavor complexity.
• Garlic (4 cloves, minced): Offers that essential pungent kick and warmth.
• Shallots (½ cup, minced): Bring a slightly sweet, delicate onion flavor that brightens the filling.
• Ginger (2 teaspoons, minced): Adds a zesty freshness with a hint of spice.
• Dried chili flakes (¼ teaspoon): Provides just a whisper of heat to keep things interesting.
• Water chestnuts (½ cup, finely chopped): For the signature crunch that makes every bite exciting.
• Bamboo shoots (½ cup, finely chopped): Bring a mild earthy texture, balancing the other veggies.
• Shiitake mushrooms (1 cup, chopped): Offer a deep, savory umami flavor that enriches the filling.
• Carrots (1 cup, finely diced): Add sweetness and a vibrant splash of color.
• Ground turkey (1 ¼ pounds): The lean protein base that’s tender and flavorful.
• Hoisin sauce (3 tablespoons, plus more for serving): A sweet-savory sauce that ties the whole dish together.
• Low sodium soy sauce (2 teaspoons): Adds depth and saltiness without overpowering.
• Kosher salt: Essential for seasoning and enhancing all the flavors.
• Black pepper: Adds a mild spiciness and balances the palate.
• Scallions (¼ cup, thinly sliced): A fresh, oniony garnish that livens up the wraps.
• Cashews (¼ cup, chopped): For a buttery crunch on top.
• Butter leaf lettuce (1 head, separated, washed, and dried): The perfect crisp, tender wrap that holds all the flavorful filling.

How to Make Turkey Lettuce Wraps Recipe

Step 1: Heat the Pan

Start by preheating a wok or a large sauté pan over high heat. Getting the pan hot early ensures that the ingredients cook quickly and retain their individual textures without becoming soggy.

Step 2: Add Oils

Pour in one tablespoon of vegetable oil along with the teaspoon of sesame oil. Wait until the oils shimmer but avoid letting them smoke; this is the prime temperature for stir-frying your ingredients evenly and developing amazing aromas.

Step 3: Sauté Aromatics

Throw in the minced garlic, shallots, ginger, and dried chili flakes. Stir-fry these for about two minutes until you catch that wonderful fragrant scent filling your kitchen — this is the foundation that elevates every bite.

Step 4: Add Vegetables

Now, add the chopped water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, shiitake mushrooms, and diced carrots to the pan. Stir-fry for about four more minutes to get those veggies just tender while keeping a bit of crunch, so each mouthful has a lively contrast.

Step 5: Set Aside Vegetables

Remove the cooked vegetables from the pan and transfer them to a medium bowl. Keeping them separate now allows you to focus on cooking the turkey perfectly without overcooking the veggies.

Step 6: Cook the Turkey

Add the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil back to the hot pan and toss in the ground turkey. Stir-fry for approximately four minutes until it’s no longer pink and looks beautifully cooked through.

Step 7: Season the Turkey

Pour in the hoisin sauce and soy sauce, stirring well to coat every bit of turkey. These sauces bring a rich, savory sweetness that makes this dish irresistibly flavorful.

Step 8: Combine & Season

Return your vegetable mixture to the pan and combine it with the turkey. Season with freshly ground black pepper and adjust salt to taste. Stir everything thoroughly to heat it all back through and meld the flavors.

Step 9: Assemble Wraps

Now comes the fun part! Spoon the warm turkey and vegetable filling into individual butter lettuce leaves. Top each wrap with chopped cashews and sliced scallions for a fresh crunch. Add extra hoisin sauce if you want a little more sweetness and serve immediately for the best texture.

How to Serve Turkey Lettuce Wraps Recipe

Garnishes

Chopped cashews and thinly sliced scallions are the perfect finale to these wraps. The cashews add a buttery crunch that contrasts with the juicy filling, while the scallions introduce a bright oniony note that refreshes your palate.

Side Dishes

Pair your Turkey Lettuce Wraps Recipe with a simple side like steamed jasmine rice or a light cucumber salad to balance the savory filling. If you want something heartier, some edamame or a bowl of miso soup complements the Asian-inspired flavors nicely.

Creative Ways to Present

For a party, serve the filling in a large bowl with lettuce leaves on the side, letting guests build their own wraps. You can also place small scoops of the filling onto lettuce leaves on a platter, garnished with cashews and scallions for an appealing appetizer-style setup.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’ve got leftovers, store the turkey and vegetable filling in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep the lettuce separate so it stays crisp until you’re ready to serve again.

Freezing

You can freeze the cooked turkey and vegetable mixture for up to 2 months. Make sure to cool it completely before transferring to a freezer-safe container. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge for best texture.

Reheating

Reheat your filling gently in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through, adding a splash of water or broth if it feels dry. Avoid microwaving directly on the lettuce to keep it crisp and fresh.

FAQs

Can I use ground chicken instead of turkey?

Absolutely! Ground chicken works well in this recipe and has a similar texture and mild flavor. Just cook it the same way as turkey for great results.

What if I don’t have bamboo shoots or water chestnuts?

You can skip them or substitute with finely chopped celery for crunch or even snap peas for a fresh bite. The key is to keep a balance of textures to mimic the original idea of the recipe.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

To make it gluten-free, use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce instead of regular soy sauce and double-check the hoisin sauce label, as some contain gluten. There are many gluten-free versions available in stores.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

For a vegetarian twist, replace the turkey with finely chopped tofu or tempeh and use mushroom-based broth while cooking to deepen the umami flavor. Adjust seasoning as needed.

How spicy is this recipe? Can I add more heat?

The recipe has just a hint of spice from dried chili flakes, making it mild and family-friendly. Feel free to increase the chili flakes or add fresh chilies or a drizzle of sriracha if you love heat.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly special about this Turkey Lettuce Wraps Recipe, with its playful textures and bold, balanced flavors. It’s a dish that feels fresh, wholesome, and satisfying all at once, and I guarantee it will quickly become one of your go-to meals. Give it a try for your next dinner and watch it disappear from the table in no time!

Turkey Lettuce Wraps Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.3 from 60 reviews

• Author: admin
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Low Fat

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

These Turkey Lettuce Wraps are a flavorful and healthy appetizer or light meal featuring tender ground turkey and a medley of vibrant vegetables stir-fried with aromatic garlic, ginger, and a hint of chili. Served in crisp butter lettuce leaves and garnished with crunchy cashews and scallions, this easy stir-fry recipe packs a delightful combination of textures and savory Asian-inspired flavors in just 30 minutes.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Oils

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Aromatics & Spices

• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup shallots, minced
• 2 teaspoons ginger, minced
• ¼ teaspoon dried chili flakes

Vegetables

• ½ cup water chestnuts, finely chopped
• ½ cup bamboo shoots, finely chopped
• 1 cup shiitake mushrooms, stems removed and chopped
• 1 cup carrots, finely diced

Protein & Sauces

• 1 ¼ pounds ground turkey
• 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce, plus more for serving
• 2 teaspoons low sodium soy sauce

Seasonings & Garnish

• Kosher salt, for seasoning
• Black pepper, for seasoning
• ¼ cup scallion, thinly sliced, for garnish
• ¼ cup cashews, chopped, for garnish
• 1 head butter leaf lettuce, separated, washed and dried

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Heat the Pan: Preheat a wok or large sauté pan over high heat to ensure quick and even cooking for all ingredients.
2. Add Oils: Pour in 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and 1 teaspoon sesame oil into the hot pan. Heat the oils until shimmering but not smoking.
3. Sauté Aromatics: Add minced garlic, shallots, ginger, and dried chili flakes to the pan. Stir-fry for about 2 minutes until fragrant to build the flavorful base.
4. Add Vegetables: Stir in chopped water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, shiitake mushrooms, and diced carrots. Continue stir-frying for 4 minutes until vegetables are tender but still slightly crisp.
5. Set Aside Vegetables: Transfer the cooked vegetable mixture to a medium bowl and set aside while cooking the turkey.
6. Cook the Turkey: Return the wok to high heat and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add ground turkey and stir-fry for about 4 minutes until it is fully cooked and no longer pink.
7. Season the Turkey: Stir in hoisin sauce and low sodium soy sauce to the turkey, ensuring the meat is evenly coated with the savory sauces.
8. Combine & Season: Return the vegetable mixture to the pan with the turkey. Season with black pepper and salt to taste, stir well to combine, and heat through thoroughly.
9. Assemble Wraps: Spoon the warm turkey and vegetable filling into butter lettuce leaves. Garnish each wrap with chopped cashews and sliced scallions. Add extra hoisin sauce if desired and serve immediately.

Notes

• For a spicier kick, increase the dried chili flakes or add fresh chopped chilies while sautéing the aromatics.
• Substitute ground chicken or pork if preferred instead of turkey.
• Use iceberg or romaine lettuce as alternatives to butter leaf lettuce.
• To keep wraps low-carb, omit hoisin sauce or use a sugar-free version.
• Cashews add a nice crunch, but they can be omitted or replaced with chopped peanuts if allergies are a concern.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Asian