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Turkey Lettuce Cups with Peanut Sauce

Flavorful ground turkey in butter lettuce cups served alongside a peanut dipping sauce. All topped with crispy rice noodles and shredded purple cabbage. Great dinner for make-ahead prep, just make the ground turkey ahead of time and assemble the lettuce cups when ready to eat! 

Lettuce Cups
  • 8 Servings
  • 10 mins Prep Time
  • 25 mins Total Time

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. Ground Turkey
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 grated onion
  • 3 cloves minced garlic
  • 3 tsp. salt
  • 2 tsp. pepper
  • 1 cup hoisin sauce
  • 1/2 tbsp. ground ginger
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 2 tbsp. sriracha
  • 2 tbsp. honey
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp. sesame seeds
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 2 tbsp. honey
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes
  • Crispy rice noodles for topping
  • 1 head of butter lettuce
  • 1/2 cup shredded purple cabbage
  • 1/4 cup water chestnuts

Serving Size 1 Lettuce Cup with Filling (150g) / Peanut Sauce 2 Tbsp (36g)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 210 / 120
Calories from Fat
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8 / 9g 10 / 11%
Saturated Fat 1.5 / 1.5g 8 / 8%
Trans Fat 0 / 0g
Cholesterol 40 / 0mg 13 / 0%
Sodium 2130 / 520mg 93 / 22%
Total Carbohydrates 28 / 9 g 10 / 3%
Dietary Fiber 1 / 1g 4 / 4%
Sugars 17 / 5g
Protein 14 / 4g
Vitamin D (0.1mcg / 0mcg) 0 / 0 %
Calcium (40mg / 10mg) 4 / 2 %
Iron (1.9mg / 0.6mg) 10 / 4%
Potassium (310mg / 140mg) 6 / 4%
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. This is a representation of the nutrition label. The actual nutrition label on the product may vary slightly.
  • Step 1

    In a large skillet over medium high heat, heat the olive oil.
  • Step 2

    Brown the turkey until nearly cooked through. Stirring occasionally.
  • Step 3

    Stir in the grated onion, garlic, salt, and pepper.
  • Step 4

    While that continues to cook, in a small bowl whisk together the hoisin, soy sauce, vinegar, sriracha, and honey, and ginger until combined into a sauce.
  • Step 5

    When the turkey is cooked fully, add the filling sauce and stir until warmed all the way through.
  • Step 6

    Set aside the turkey mix.
  • Step 7

    In a small bowl whisk all ingredients for the sauce. Top with sesame seeds.
  • Step 8

    In the butter lettuce leaves add a small scoop (about 2 -3 tablespoons) of the turkey filling. Top with a sprinkle of cabbage, water chestnuts, and crispy rice noodles.
  • Step 9

    Dip in the peanut sauce and enjoy!

Turkey Lettuce Cup FAQs

Several lettuce species are likely available at your local market. Each type contains loads of vitamins A and C, fiber, potassium, iron, calcium, and manganese. However, not every type of lettuce is suitable for making lettuce cups.

The best types of lettuce for lettuce cups have round and sturdy leaves that can fold and hold the filling without breaking. The ideal lettuce for lettuce cups should have a mild or neutral taste that will not compromise the taste of the lettuce cup’s filling, which rules out most bitter lettuces, such as curly endives or frisée.

A choice lettuce for lettuce cups is butter lettuce, also called Boston or Bibb. Depending on the exact species you purchase, this loose-headed lettuce can be bright green, yellowish, or reddish.

Butter lettuce is a top choice for lettuce cups because it has broad and rounded leaves that hold lots of filling. The leaves are also strong yet flexible, meaning they won’t break when folding them into cups. Even better, butter lettuce has a mild sweet taste that can complement the flavor of your lettuce cup filling.

Iceberg and baby gem lettuce are good alternatives if you’re having trouble finding butter lettuce. Iceberg lettuce’s high water content gives it a cool and neutral taste. Also, compared to butter lettuce, iceberg lettuce is crunchier, providing a satisfying texture when used for lettuce cups.

For bite-sized lettuce wraps, go for baby gem lettuce. This lettuce has small, tender and subtly sweet leaves that hold the filling without falling apart.

Since turkey lettuce cups are highly customizable, you can fill them with anything you want to achieve your desired flavor. However, ensure your filling contains minimal liquid when building your lettuce wraps because any amount of excess liquid can affect the lettuce structure. Also, avoid adding the filling when it’s piping hot. If the filling is too hot, it will wilt the lettuce, causing it to fall apart.

The ideal turkey lettuce wrap is a low-calorie appetizer that delivers lots of flavors without getting you full quickly. Consider serving your turkey lettuce wraps alongside bread, fried rice, or a noodle dish if you want a filling meal. Alternatively, keep things light by having a soup-based dish for your second course.

Ground turkey is a highly versatile ingredient that can be used in several ways. Below are some of our favorite ground turkey appetizer recipes:

  • Baked Eggplant Stuffed with Ground Turkey: With one pound of 93% Lean and 7% Fat Italian-Style Ground Turkey, you can make six ground turkey stuffed eggplants. The dish takes 35 minutes to make, and is a tasty starter for your guests while they await the main course.
  • Turkey Chipotle Sliders: Making these mini-burgers will require two pounds of ground turkey and access to a grill. Adding chipotle taco seasoning and provolone cheese gives the sliders an irresistible flavor. You can eat each mini-burger in one or two bites.
  • Mediterranean Turkey Zucchini Boats: This recipe makes baked zucchini boats stuffed with feta cheese and ground turkey seasoned with onion, garlic, salt, oregano, and lemon pepper. Each bite will deliver a low-calorie and protein-rich flavor bomb.
  • Mini Turkey Meatloaves with Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Mash: Impress your guests with cauliflower mash paired with bite-sized turkey meatloaves bursting with flavor. The recipe requires a little over two hours to prepare and cook, but the result is worth the effort.
  • Walking Tacos in a Bag: Thrill your guests by serving these mini tacos. The recipe is low-cost and requires minimal time to prepare. It is an excellent snack choice for outdoor parties or informal get-togethers.

Creating flavor-packed Turkey Lettuce Cups is easy once you have the right ingredients. Get the most important ingredient by discovering where to buy ground turkey from Shady Brook Farms today.

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