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Easy Kosher Ground Turkey Lettuce Wraps Asian Style - Asian recipe
I discovered these lettuce wraps during a particularly hectic week when I needed something healthy but satisfying for dinner. The whole family was craving takeout, but I wanted to keep things light and kosher friendly. Ground turkey proved to be the perfect protein here because it cooks quickly and soaks up all those savory Asian flavors beautifully. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity and the fact that everything comes together in about 20 minutes. I use a combination of soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil to create that distinctive Asian taste profile. Fresh ginger and garlic add depth, while a touch of honey balances the saltiness. The key is getting your pan nice and hot before adding the turkey so it gets some good browning rather than just steaming. What really makes these wraps special is the contrast of textures. You get that satisfying savory meat filling against the cool, crisp lettuce cups. I like to use butter lettuce or Boston lettuce because the leaves separate easily and form natural little bowls. The water chestnuts add a nice crunch, and the green onions give everything a fresh bite. These wraps work perfectly for weeknight dinners, but they're also great for entertaining. I set up all the components buffet style and let people build their own. They pair well with steamed brown rice if you want something more filling, or serve them alongside some cucumber salad for a lighter meal.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian
Calories: 285
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground turkey 93% lean
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil divided
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger minced
  • 1 can water chestnuts 8 oz, drained and diced
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
  • 3 green onions green onions sliced thin
  • 1 head butter lettuce leaves separated and washed
  • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds for garnish

Method
 

  1. Wash and dry the lettuce leaves carefully. Select the best cup-shaped leaves and arrange on a serving platter. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, and cornstarch until smooth. Set aside.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.
  4. Add minced garlic and ginger to the pan and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Push the onion mixture to one side of the pan and add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the empty space. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through.
  6. Stir the turkey and onion mixture together, then add the diced water chestnuts and red pepper flakes if using. Cook for 1 minute.
  7. Pour the sauce mixture over the turkey and stir well. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the meat.
  8. Remove from heat and stir in the sliced green onions.
  9. Serve the turkey mixture warm with the chilled lettuce cups. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and let everyone build their own wraps.

Notes

The filling can be made up to 2 days ahead and reheated gently before serving. Store leftover filling in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For extra heat, add sriracha or chili garlic sauce to taste. If you can't find butter lettuce, iceberg or Boston lettuce work well too.
Nutrition Facts
4 servings per recipe
Serving size 1 serving
Calories 285
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 14g 18%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 78mg 26%
Sodium 680mg 30%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 32g 64%
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.