Ground Turkey Lettuce Wraps
Fresh, savory, and on the table in 15 minutes, these ground turkey lettuce wraps are the weeknight dinner you’ll keep coming back to. Ground turkey gets cooked in a rich teriyaki sauce and tucked into crisp bibb lettuce cups with cucumber, carrots, and green onions for the perfect bite every time. It’s light but satisfying, totally customizable, and works for the whole family – including the pickiest eaters at the table. If you need a fast, flavorful dinner that doesn’t feel like you’re cutting corners, this is it.
The ideal activity night dinner! ⚡
Homemade teriyaki sauce is often ideal, but on the nights that we’re running between activities? Jarred sauce FTW!
Leaning on this shortcut saves you a few minutes of time, which on some nights may not be necessary – and others is the difference between making dinner yourself and grabbing takeout. These wraps are…
🥬 Fresh & flavorful: Crisp lettuce cups piled with savory teriyaki turkey and crunchy toppings make every bite seriously satisfying.
⏱️ Ready in 15 minutes: One smart shortcut gets this on the table faster than takeout – no compromise on flavor.
🥕 Totally customizable: Set out all the toppings and let everyone build their own wrap exactly the way they like it.
🦃 Light & satisfying: Ground turkey keeps it lean while the teriyaki sauce delivers all the bold, saucy flavor.
👨👩👧 Family-friendly: Kids love the build-your-own format, which makes this one of those dinners everyone actually eats.
If you love this style of dinner, you’ll also want to try my chicken lettuce wraps with peanut sauce for another handheld favorite, or the ground turkey stir fry if you want something equally fast served over rice. And on nights when you want to switch up the protein, the 15-minute turkey taco skillet hits the same quick-dinner sweet spot.
So easy! –Tut
Ingredient Notes
You’ll need some fresh ingredients and pantry staples to bring this turkey lettuce wraps to the table: ground turkey (avoid 99% fat-free – the lack of fat makes it dry out fast), olive oil or avocado oil, store-bought teriyaki sauce, bibb lettuce (also called Boston or butter lettuce), sliced cucumber, sliced or matchstick carrots, and green onions. For a quick side with zero prep, grab frozen egg rolls, potstickers, or wontons – they go straight into the air fryer or oven while the turkey cook.
Emily’s Tips & Tricks
- Pro tip: Resist the urge to stir the turkey constantly – let it sit undisturbed for 4-5 minutes so it develops a little color and caramelization before you add the sauce. That browning is where the flavor comes from, and it makes a real difference in the final dish.
- Feeding kids without pressure: Put out all of the components and letting everyone build their own healthy ground turkey lettuce wraps. Be sure to serve the lettuce wraps with a few sides that you know they will eat. Egg rolls (or potstickers), rice, fruit, etc. are great options.
- Variations: Any ground meat works here – ground chicken, ground pork, and ground beef are all great swaps. For the lettuce, iceberg cups are sturdier if you want less mess, and romaine leaves work in a pinch.
15-Minute Ground Turkey Lettuce Wraps
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stir Fry
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Low-Carb
Description
These EASY ground turkey lettuce wraps utilize a few smart shortcuts to help you get dinner on the table FAST! Healthy, balanced, and flavorful.
Ingredients
- Frozen egg rolls
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 2 lbs. ground turkey
- 1 cup Teriyaki sauce + extra for drizzling
- 1 cups sliced cucumber (or matchsticks)
- 2 cups sliced carrot (or matchsticks)
- 1/2 cup sliced green onion
- 2 heads bibb lettuce
Instructions
- Cook egg rolls according to package directions.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey and break up with a wooden spoon or spatula. Cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes, until browned.
- Stir turkey, then pour in teriyaki sauce.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 2-3 minutes, until sauce has thickened.
- Serve turkey in bibb lettuce leaves, topped with cucumber, carrot, and green onions.
Notes
Storage: Store the turkey mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Keep the lettuce and toppings stored separately so nothing gets soggy.
Ingredients: Don’t use 99% fat-free ground turkey – without enough fat, it overcooks quickly and turns dry. For a gluten-free version, look for a certified GF teriyaki sauce, or make a quick homemade version by swapping regular soy sauce for tamari.
Prep Ahead: The turkey mixture reheats beautifully, so you can cook it ahead and warm it up in a skillet or the microwave when you’re ready to serve. Prep the toppings in advance too – cucumber and carrots can be sliced and stored in the fridge for several days.
Serve With: Frozen egg rolls, potstickers, or wontons are the easiest zero-prep sides. A simple side of steamed rice is easy with the rice maker
Serving Suggestions
Since this meal is already so simple, I like to keep the sides simple too. Frozen egg rolls, potstickers, or wontons go straight into the air fryer with zero prep and they are favorites at our house. A simple side of rice is always a great option, too (especially easy if you have a rice maker!). You could also throw in a quick veggie like sautéed bok choy or green beans if you want a little more on the plate.
FAQs
Yes! The easiest swap is using a certified gluten-free teriyaki sauce – several brands make one, so check the label at your grocery store. You can also make a quick homemade sauce by combining tamari (gluten-free soy sauce), a little honey or brown sugar, and a splash of rice vinegar. Everything else in the recipe is naturally gluten-free.
Absolutely. Let the turkey mixture cool completely, then freeze in an airtight container or silicone freezer cubes for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in a skillet or microwave before serving.
About the Author
Emily Dingmann is a recipe developer and founder of My Everyday Table, where she helps busy families take the stress out of weeknight dinners. With a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and almost 20 years of experience, Emily specializes in simple, nourishing recipes and weekly meal plans that actually work for everyday life. She’s a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor who believes delicious food and good nutrition go hand in hand.
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Wonderful recipe
Thanks!
So easy.