These Thai-style turkey lettuce wraps are so easy to make they will become a staple in your weeknight dinner rotation. I first remember having a lettuce wrap at a restaurant called PF Changs. It was the first “chain” Chinese restaurant that became popular back in the 90’s. You can now find the restaurant’s popular dishes in the frozen section in many grocery stores, but I digress! Since then, lettuce wraps of all kinds have popped up on restaurant menus all over which is why I decided to create my own.
In these turkey lettuce wraps I use ground turkey, but any ground meat will work so feel free to use your favorite. Try using a plant based meat and make the dish completely vegetarian. What ever you decide the lettuce wraps will be delicious!
I cook the ground turkey with ginger, garlic and soy sauce. Then I toss the cooked meat in a sauce mixed with Hoisin, brown sugar and Sriracha. Now if your reading this and wondering what some of these ingredients are don’t be discouraged. Everything can be found in your local grocery store. Hoisin sauce is a thick sauce usually used as a glaze for meat in Chinese cooking similar to an American barbecue sauce. It can be found in the Asian section by the soy sauce. Sriracha is a type of hot sauce, but can be left out and only used as a garnish if you prefer. Then I use crisp butter lettuce leaves as a vessel to hold the fluffy rice and the meat filling. Feel free to double wrap them because they can be messy and fall apart so grab extra napkins!
My hope is that you try these delicious and simple turkey lettuce wraps. They are light, healthy and oh so tasty. If you are not familiar with some of these flavors, be adventurous, try something new and go for it! My youngest daughter Sophia loves these lettuce wraps. They are one of her favorite dishes I cook and she is constantly asking for them so I know they are kid friendly. Last, but not least, they are also great as left overs which makes it a win-win for everyone!
Turkey Lettuce Wraps
Turkey Lettuce Wraps are full of flavor and so simple to make. Ground turkey, cooked with classic asian flavors of ginger, garlic and soy sauce finished with fresh basil and cilantro are the filling in these healthy lettuce wraps.
Ingredients
- 1 cup jasmine rice
- 2 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 12 oz ground turkey, chicken or beef (patted dry)
- 1-2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1-2 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 2 tsps brown sugar
- 1 tsp Siracha hot sauce
- 1/2 cup water chestnuts, diced
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Canola or vegetable Oil
- 1 head of butter lettuce, leaves separated
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- *optional 3 tbsp chopped peanuts or cashews
Instructions
Prep and chop all ingredients.
1. Cook Rice. In a small pot combine rice, 2 cups of water and 1/4 tsp of salt and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium low, cover and simmer until water is fully evaporated. About 10-12 minutes. Remove pot from heat and let stand, keeping it covered for about 10 minutes longer. Fluff rice with a fork and then keep it covered to keep it warm.
2. While the rice is cooking heat 1 tbsp of canola oil in a medium pan over medium high heat. Once oil is warm add ginger and garlic sautéing and stirring until fragrant, about 1 minute.
3. Add turkey and soy sauce to pan. Season with 1/4 tsp of salt and 1/4 tsp of pepper. Break up meat using the back of a wooden spoon cooking until browned about 5 minutes.
4. Meanwhile in a large bowl, whisk together hoisin sauce, brown sugar and Siracha (ok to skip Siracha or only use a little, its pretty spicy!)
5. Transfer browned meat to the bowl with the sauce. Stir in water chestnuts, cilantro and basil. Taste and add more salt, pepper if desired.
6. Add a spoonful of rice to lettuce and then a spoonful of meat mixture. Garnish with shredded carrots and peanuts (if using) and serve!
Notes
- Any kind of ground meat will work in this recipe. Use your favorite or try something new. Ground turkey, ground chicken, ground beef or even plant based meat like "Beyond Beef or "Imposible Meat" would be great.
- For the rice, any rice will do. Jasmine, Basmati, Brown, or White. Follow the package directions to prepare.
- For the fresh herbs try adding fresh mint instead of basil. or do a lttle of both. The mint really adds a unique taste that I think you might like. Fresh mint is not always available and can be pricey so I use basil because I know I can always get it.
- If you can't find butter lettuce use Iceberg lettuce instead. Gently remove the leaves so they do not rip apart.
