Why You’ll Love these Fresh Lettuce Wraps
If you’ve been searching for the perfect light yet satisfying meal, these fresh lettuce wraps are about to become your new obsession.
The magic happens when savory ground turkey (or beef, if that’s your preference) meets the crisp coolness of iceberg lettuce. Such a delightful contrast of temperatures.
What makes these wraps special? They’re customizable, quick to prepare, and won’t leave you feeling weighed down.
The blend of sesame oil, teriyaki sauce, and stir-fry seasoning creates this irresistible Asian-inspired flavor profile that, honestly, I could eat every night of the week. Perfect for meal prep, too.
What Ingredients are in Fresh Lettuce Wraps?
These fresh lettuce wraps combine the perfect balance of savory protein with crisp vegetables, all wrapped in cool, crunchy lettuce leaves. The Asian-inspired flavor profile comes from a delicious blend of oils and sauces that infuse the filling with just the right amount of umami and subtle heat. When I’m looking for something light but satisfying, this recipe always hits the spot—all the flavor without the heaviness of traditional wraps or tacos.
- 2 pounds ground turkey (or ground beef, if preferred)
- 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/4 teaspoon hot chili oil
- 1 teaspoon light soy sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 package (about 3/4 ounce) stir fry seasoning
- 2 tablespoons teriyaki sauce
- 1 bunch green onions, chopped
- 1/2 bag (about 8 ounces) coleslaw mix
- 1 head iceberg lettuce, leaves carefully separated
When shopping for ingredients, the quality of your oils makes a difference—especially the sesame and chili oils, which provide distinctive flavors even in small amounts. And while iceberg lettuce works perfectly with its cup-like shape and invigorating crunch, you could experiment with butter lettuce or romaine for variations in texture. The coleslaw mix is a wonderful time-saver, but if you’re feeling ambitious, you could certainly slice your own cabbage and carrots. Just keep the cuts thin so everything cooks evenly with the meat.
How to Make these Fresh Lettuce Wraps
Start by browning 2 pounds of ground turkey (or beef, if that’s more your style) in a large skillet with a small amount of sesame oil (1/4 teaspoon) and hot chili oil (1/4 teaspoon).
These oils might seem minimal, but they pack a serious flavor punch. As the meat begins to cook, add 1 teaspoon of light soy sauce, 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, 1 minced garlic clove, half a package of stir fry seasoning, and 2 tablespoons of teriyaki sauce. The kitchen will start smelling absolutely amazing at this point—that combination of sesame and teriyaki is pretty much irresistible.
When the meat is about halfway browned, it’s time to add 1 bunch of chopped green onions and about half a bag (8 ounces) of coleslaw mix.
The veggies will slightly wilt as they cook with the meat, softening just enough while still maintaining some texture. While the filling continues to cook, prep your lettuce “wraps” by carefully peeling whole leaves from a head of iceberg lettuce.
The trick is to keep them intact—sometimes running cold water over the head while you work helps loosen the leaves without tearing them. I like to pat the leaves dry with paper towels so they’re ready to hold all that delicious filling.
Once everything is ready, simply spoon some of the hot turkey mixture into the center of each lettuce leaf, fold it up, and enjoy! The contrast between the warm, savory filling and the cool, crisp lettuce creates a truly delightful eating experience.
Fresh Lettuce Wraps Substitutions and Variations
While the classic recipe is delicious as-is, these fresh lettuce wraps welcome countless variations to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs.
You can swap ground turkey for ground chicken, tofu crumbles, or even lentils if you’re vegetarian. Not a fan of iceberg? Try butter lettuce, romaine hearts, or collard greens for a different texture and flavor profile.
The sauce elements are totally customizable, too. I sometimes use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce, or add sriracha when I’m craving extra heat.
And don’t get me started on toppings—crushed peanuts, cilantro, or thinly sliced water chestnuts add wonderful crunch.
What to Serve with Fresh Lettuce Wraps
Although these fresh lettuce wraps make a satisfying light meal on their own, I’ve found that the right side dishes can transform them into a complete feast.
For a truly balanced dinner, I love serving them with steamed jasmine rice or a nutty quinoa salad. A tangy Asian cucumber salad brings cool crispness that mirrors the lettuce while adding contrast to the savory filling.
Need something heartier? Try sweet potato fries with sriracha dipping sauce—the sweetness plays beautifully against the umami-rich turkey mixture.
Or go super simple with edamame sprinkled with sea salt. Trust me, your family will forget they’re eating something healthy.
Final Thoughts
After enjoying these lettuce wraps for years, I’ve become convinced they’re one of the most versatile recipes in my rotation. They satisfy that craving for comfort food without the guilt that usually follows.
The beauty of these wraps is how easily you can modify them. Don’t have turkey? Use beef. Watching calories? Lean chicken works beautifully.
The contrast between the warm, savory filling and cool, crisp lettuce creates that perfect textural balance we all search for.
My family requests these monthly, and honestly, I never mind making them. Quick, nutritious, and customizable—what more could you want from a weeknight dinner?
Fresh Lettuce Wraps
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat a large skillet and add the sesame oil and hot chili oil.
- Add the ground turkey to the skillet and begin to brown the meat.
- When meat is partially cooked, add the light soy sauce, pepper, minced garlic, stir fry seasoning, and teriyaki sauce. Continue cooking.
- Once the meat is about halfway browned, add the chopped green onions and coleslaw mix to the skillet.
- Cook until the meat is fully browned and the vegetables have slightly wilted but still maintain some texture.
- While the filling cooks, carefully separate whole leaves from the head of iceberg lettuce, trying to keep them intact. Running cold water over the head can help loosen leaves without tearing.
- Pat the lettuce leaves dry with paper towels.
- To serve, spoon the hot turkey mixture into the center of each lettuce leaf and fold to enjoy.
