Turkey Lettuce Wraps
These light and refreshing lettuce wraps are packed with savory turkey, fresh vegetables, and a delicious sauce. Perfect for a healthy and satisfying meal!
Yields: 4-6 servings Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 15-20 minutes
Ingredients:
For the Turkey Filling:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or sesame oil
- 1 pound ground turkey (dark meat is more flavorful, but lean will work too)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 inch fresh ginger, grated or minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 8 ounces mushrooms, finely chopped (optional, but adds great texture and umami)
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sriracha or chili garlic sauce (adjust to your spice preference)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced (white and green parts), plus more for garnish
For Serving:
- 1 large head of butter lettuce, Boston lettuce, or iceberg lettuce, leaves separated and washed
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup fresh bean sprouts
- Optional: Lime wedges, chopped peanuts, additional sriracha for serving
Instructions:
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Prepare the Turkey Filling:
- Heat olive oil or sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger, and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- If using, add the chopped mushrooms and cook until they release their liquid and start to brown, about 5-7 minutes.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sriracha.
- Pour the sauce mixture over the turkey and vegetable mixture in the skillet. Stir well to combine and cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and coat the turkey.
- Remove from heat and stir in the chopped cilantro and sliced green onions.
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Assemble the Wraps:
- Arrange the separated lettuce leaves on a platter.
- Place bowls of the turkey filling, shredded carrots, and bean sprouts on the table for easy assembly.
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Serve:
- To eat, spoon a generous amount of the warm turkey filling into a lettuce cup.
- Top with shredded carrots and bean sprouts.
- Garnish with extra fresh cilantro and green onions.
- For extra flavor, squeeze a lime wedge over the top or add a drizzle of additional sriracha if desired. You can also sprinkle with chopped peanuts for crunch.
Tips and Variations:
- Vegetarian Option: You can easily make this vegetarian by using crumbled firm tofu, tempeh, or finely chopped mushrooms as the base instead of turkey.
- Spice Level: Adjust the amount of sriracha or chili garlic sauce to your liking.
- Other Vegetables: Feel free to add other finely diced vegetables to the filling, such as water chestnuts for crunch, bell peppers, or zucchini.
- Nutty Flavor: A teaspoon of peanut butter stirred into the sauce can add a nice richness.
- Make Ahead: The turkey filling can be made a day in advance and reheated gently before serving. Keep the lettuce and vegetables separate until ready to assemble.
Enjoy your delicious and healthy Turkey Lettuce Wraps!
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