{"id":21402,"date":"2020-06-03T07:45:00","date_gmt":"2020-06-03T13:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kalynskitchen.com\/turkey-lettuce-wrap-tacos-with-chiles\/"},"modified":"2025-06-18T08:33:24","modified_gmt":"2025-06-18T14:33:24","slug":"turkey-lettuce-wrap-tacos-with-chiles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kalynskitchen.com\/turkey-lettuce-wrap-tacos-with-chiles\/","title":{"rendered":"Lettuce Wrap Turkey Tacos"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lettuce Wrap Turkey Tacos are a tasty low-carb dinner, and we loved these tacos in lettuce wraps with tomato-avocado salsa. You can also serve them with purchased Pico de Gallo or Guacamole for an option that’s a bit easier<\/i>!<\/i><\/p>\n

PIN the Lettuce Wrap Turkey Tacos to try making them later!<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Turkey<\/p>\n

This recipe for Lettuce Wrap Turkey Tacos<\/strong> started years ago on Twitter when Marisa from Food in Jars<\/a> was talking about about a lettuce wrap taco that used ground turkey, and when I checked the recipe, I couldn’t wait to try it. Then what makes the lettuce wrap turkey taco story especially fun is that a few years later I met Marisa at SXSW<\/a>, and had a great time chatting with her in person.<\/p>\n

We’re still friends on social media, and fast forward quite a few years later and now I’ve made the lettuce wrap tacos with ground turkey over and over. Through the years I’ve switched to eating the turkey mixture with crispy iceberg lettuce, although you can certainly use any type of lettuce you prefer.<\/p>\n

And of course I never seem to be able to make a recipe just like it’s written, so I added some green onions (and a lot more cilantro) to the turkey mixture, and I used a very generous amount of tomato-avocado salsa. If you like the idea of taco filling eaten in lettuce wraps, I hope you give it a try!<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

What ingredients do you need for this recipe?<\/h2>\n

(This is only a list of ingredients; please scroll down for complete printable recipe. Or if you use the JUMP TO RECIPE link at the top of the page, it will take you directly to the complete recipe with ingredient amounts.)<\/p>\n

    \n
  • olive oil<\/li>\n
  • Minced Garlic<\/a> (affiliate link)<\/li>\n
  • diced green chiles<\/a> (affiliate link)<\/li>\n
  • ground cumin<\/a> (affiliate link)<\/li>\n
  • ground Chipotle chile pepper<\/a> (affiliate link) or Cayenne pepper<\/li>\n
  • ground turkey<\/li>\n
  • salt<\/li>\n
  • green onions<\/li>\n
  • cilantro (optional)<\/li>\n
  • fresh-squeezed lime juice (I used my fresh-frozen lime juice<\/a>)<\/li>\n
  • iceberg lettuce<\/li>\n
  • avocados, diced<\/li>\n
  • cherry tomatoes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    What makes the Lettuce Wrap Turkey Tacos so delicious?<\/h2>\n

    It’s the seasonings with chiles, cumin, and chopped cilantro that seasons the turkey that makes these taco lettuce wraps so delicious, and believe me, this recipe is a complete keeper, something you’ll make over and over.<\/p>\n

    How low in carbs are these Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps?<\/h2>\n

    This tasty variation on tacos has only 5 net carbs per serving and 25 grams of protein!<\/p>\n

    What other protein could you use for taco lettuce wraps?<\/h2>\n

    I definitely think ground beef would be a delicious option for a filling for the lettuce wraps. I’ve also made taco lettuce wraps with spicy shredded chicken<\/a> and tofu<\/a> if you like one of those options.<\/p>\n

    How long will the cooked turkey taco mixture keep in the fridge?<\/h2>\n

    The recipe makes a generous amount of the turkey mixture, but you won’t mind having a bit of this taco meat mixture left over to eat the next day. It will keep a day or two pretty well in the fridge, or cut the recipe in half if you want a smaller amount. And you can use the ground turkey taco filling to make Taco Salad if you’d like a change.<\/p>\n

    What if you don’t have avocado for the Lettuce Wrap Turkey Tacos?<\/h2>\n

    I love the tomato-avocado salsa I used here, but when I had leftover turkey and the salsa mixture was gone I enjoyed this served with Pico de Gallo from a jar, and I think the tacos would be amazing with purchased guacamole as well, so that’s definitely an option if you want a version that’s a bit easier!<\/p>\n

    \"Turkey<\/p>\n

    How to make Lettuce Wrap Turkey Tacos:<\/h2>\n

    (This is only a summary of the steps for the recipe; please scroll down for complete printable recipe. Or if you use the JUMP TO RECIPE link at the top of the page, it will take you directly to the complete recipe.)<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Heat olive oil in large frying pan and cook the chiles and spices for a few minutes.<\/li>\n
    2. Then add the ground turkey and cook over medium-high heat, until all the liquid evaporates and the turkey is nicely browned. (Most turkey has quite a bit of water, so be patient; this may take a few minutes.)<\/li>\n
    3. While the turkey cooks, chop up the cilantro and slice the green onions.<\/li>\n
    4. When the turkey is browned to your liking, stir in the chopped green onions and cook for a minute or so. Then turn off the heat and stir in the rest of the chopped cilantro and 2 T lime juice.<\/li>\n
    5. While turkey cooks, peel and dice the avocado and mix with lime juice. Chop tomatoes, and then mix avocado, tomatoes, 1\/4 cup of the chopped cilantro, and olive oil to make the salsa. Season with salt to taste.<\/li>\n
    6. Cut the lettuce in half and cut out the core, then cut into quarters. If it needs it I would use a salad spinner<\/a> (affiliate link) to crisp the lettuce (or make sure it’s clean.) Just skip that step if your lettuce doesn’t need washing.<\/li>\n
    7. I like to use Kitchen Shears<\/a> (affiliate link) to make cups to fill with taco meat, but trimming the lettuce is definitely optional! <\/li>\n
    8. Fill the lettuce cups with the turkey taco meat and top with a generous amount of tomato-avocado salsa; YUM!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Make it a Low-Carb Meal:<\/h2>\n

      These turkey taco lettuce wraps could be a delicious low-carb meal served with one of these side dishes:<\/p>\n

        \n
      • Spicy Mexican Slaw<\/a><\/li>\n
      • Tomato Avocado Salad with Edamame<\/a><\/li>\n
      • No-Mayo Vinegar Coleslaw<\/a><\/li>\n
      • Sweet and Sour Cucumber Salad<\/a><\/li>\n
      • Jicama Carrot Radish Slaw<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        \"Turkey<\/p>\n

        Weekend Food Prep:<\/h2>\n

        This turkey lettuce wrap taco recipe has been added to a category called Weekend Food Prep<\/a> where you’ll find recipes you can prep or cook on the weekend and eat during the week!<\/p>\n