Ground Turkey Lettuce Wraps

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
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These P.F. Chang’s inspired Lettuce Wraps are bursting with fresh ingredients and topped with a tangy Asian-inspired sauce. Ready in under 20 min, this lettuce wraps recipe is the perfect appetizer idea for your next dinner party!

Looking for more Asian-inspired recipes? Try my potstickers recipe, this homemade wonton soup, or this crockpot sesame chicken

PF Chang Inspired Turkey Lettuce Wraps

Lettuce wraps are a nostalgic favorite of mine. When I was in High School, my best friend and I loved to hit up our local PF Changs together. We would always order an app, an entree, and a dessert to split. Our go-to app – every time – was their lettuce wraps. Now, whenever I see, smell, eat, or think of Lettuce Wraps, it brings me right back to that place and time with my bestie. Isn’t it so cool how food can do that for us?!?

Nowadays, I’m not going to say how many years later, I’m sharing my love of lettuce wraps with my hubby and kids and they love them, too! As an adult, what I love about Lettuce Wraps is that they’re healthy and easy to make! Did I mention they’re low-carb, gluten-free, and dairy-free?

These lettuce wraps are not an exact copy of the PF Chang wraps in that I used ground turkey instead of ground chicken. But you could easily use ground chicken or even ground beef if you prefer!

The ingredients for Lettuce wraps measured and ready to use.

What’s in these Lettuce Wraps?

Slow down. I see your eyes getting wider and wider as you eye up this ingredient list. I know many of these ingredients might not be in your pantry or fridge. But, don’t worry, they should be pretty easy to find and you’ll be able to use them in other yummy Asian-inspired recipes.

Here is what you’ll need to make lettuce wraps:

  • Canola oil
  • Lean ground turkey – You could also use ground chicken or ground beef. (More on that below.)
  • Shallot – Sweet yellow onions also work!
  • Garlic
  • Scallions
  • Lemongrass
  • Chopped cashews
  • Rice vinegar
  • Hoisin sauce
  • Soy sauce
  • Garlic chili sauce
  • Cilantro
  • Butter lettuce leaves – You can use other kinds of lettuce but I think this variety is best for wraps.

Can I Use Chicken or Beef Instead of Turkey?

Yep! You can use any ground meat you’d like. Turkey, chicken, beef, pork – but, the fat content and flavor will change with each.

You could also use leftover chicken and shred it. Or, use chicken picked from a store-bought rotisserie. If you do this, the texture will be slightly different and the sauce won’t cling to the meat in quite the same way.

What is the Best Lettuce to Use for Wraps?

I prefer to use butter lettuce leaves in this recipe. What I like about them is their cup-like shape. I also like that they are sturdy but not too crisp. If you use super crisp lettuce like iceberg, it may crack. A greener lettuce like arugula will be too weak to stand up to our filling.

Another great option for these lettuce wraps is Boston Bibb leaves.

How Do You Cut Lettuce for Wraps?

All you have to do if you’re using one of the lettuce types I recommended is cut off the bottom of the head of lettuce. Then you simply peel each leaf of lettuce off and prepare them for use in your lettuce wraps by washing and drying them.

Lettuce wraps in a hand about to be eaten.

How to Make PF Chang’s Lettuce Wraps

  • Saute: In a large wok (or non stick skillet), heat your oil over medium heat. Add in the garlic and shallots and continue to cook for 15 more seconds, then add ground turkey. Break up the meat with a spoon. Toss and stir often until the meat is cooked through.
  • Drain: Once the turkey is cooked through, check and see if there is a lot of grease left over in the bottom of the pan. If there is, drain the meat, and then re-add it to the wok.
    • If there’s not much grease, you can skip to the next step.
  • Add: Add the scallions, lemongrass, cashews, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and garlic chili sauce to the wok. Toss everything well to ensure it is all coated. Allow everything to cook for another 2-3 minutes and then remove the wok from the heat and sprinkle the filling with cilantro.
  • Serve: To serve, separate the leaves of lettuce and wash them with warm water. Pat them dry. Spoon the turkey mixture into the center of a lettuce leaf and eat it like a taco! Enjoy!

What Goes with Lettuce Wraps?

This recipe is known as an appetizer but it can be eaten as the main course. You do you, girl. If you are using it as an appetizer, it would be great followed by a homemade lo mein, Kung Pao, or sesame chicken.

You could also pair it with multiple other Asian-inspired appetizers for a grazing kind of dinner. I’m thinking pot stickers, spare ribs, spring rolls, and scallion pizza!

Or, opt for an appetizer and soup combo. Make your favorite Pho or wonton soup to go along with these lettuce wraps!

Lettuce wraps platted with dipping sauce.

Variation ideas

You have so many options for switching these up!

  • For starters, you can add some chili sauce to make them more spicy.
  • You could add other veggies into the mix like shredded carrots, corn, mushrooms, or peas. Just make sure they’re bite size.
  • You could do a General Tso variation and include shredded broccoli, red peppers, and a General Tso sauce.
  • You could even go completely off script! I’ve also seen Buffalo Chicken, Crack Chicken, and Bacon Cheese Burger Lettuce Wraps! Seriously, I’m drooling just thinking about it.

How to Store Extras

Store extra filling in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can reheat the filling in the microwave until warmed through. I recommend storing any extra lettuce leaves separately so that they stay crisp and ready to make into more lettuce wraps.

Lettuce wraps being served on a platter with dipping sauce.
5 from 3 votes
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Lettuce Wraps Recipe

These Lettuce Wraps are bursting with fresh ingredients and a tangy Asian inspired sauce. Ready in under 20 min and the perfect app for your next dinner party!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 1 lb extra lean ground turkey, or any other ground meat
  • 1 medium shallot
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 3 scallions
  • 2 large stalks lemongrass-tender pale inner core only, minced
  • ½ cup chopped cashews
  • 1 teaspoonful seasoned rice vinegar
  • ¼ cup hoisin sauce
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 ½ teaspoonful garlic chili sauce
  • small handful of cilantro, chopped
  • butter lettuce leaves, or your favorite lettuce, for serving

Instructions 

  • In a large wok (or non stick skillet), heat oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and shallot and cook for 15 seconds, then add ground turkey. Break up the meat with a spoon, tossing/stirring often, until meat is cooked through.
  • Once the turkey is cooked through, check and see if there is a lot of grease left over in the bottom of the pan. If there is, drain the meat, and then re-add to the wok. If not, skip to the next step.
  • Add the scallions, lemongrass, cashews, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and garlic chili sauce. Toss well to ensure everything is coated. Allow to cook for another 2-3 minutes and remove from heat and sprinkle with cilantro.
  • To serve, separate leaves of lettuce and wash with warm water; pat dry. Spoon the turkey mixture into the center of a lettuce leaf and eat like a taco! Enjoy!

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1, Calories: 207kcal, Carbohydrates: 13g, Protein: 21g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 43mg, Sodium: 386mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 3g

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34 Responses
    1. A woman holding a camera standing in front of some shelves.
      Jessica

      In the photos that is hoisin sauce that I put on the side for dipping, if desired. They are sauce-y enough on their own you really don’t need a dipping sauce though!

  1. LETTUCE WRAPS – Amazing Recipes

    […] turkey lettuce wraps for lunch and dinner!Credit: The Novice Chef | Easy Family-Friendly RecipesVIEW SOURCEMore […]

  2. Allie

    I found your recipe for these back in 2011 and still make them…except for the lemongrass because we’re just too lazy to keep it in the house. :) Thanks for all the great recipes!!

    1. A woman holding a camera standing in front of some shelves.
      Jessica

      Wow Allie! This is an oldie! I’m glad you still enjoy them, I really need to make them again for dinner soon! :-)

  3. Allie

    Okay, I’ve been blog stalking your site for a while now and I just have to say these have become a favorite of ours!! They’re delicious and SO easy to make, I can’t help but crave them once a week. :-) Thank you!!!!

    1. A woman holding a camera standing in front of some shelves.
      Jessica

      Awesome! I am so glad you like them so much! …and thanks for reminding me about these babies. I haven’t make them in way too long!

  4. Laina Welsh

    Made these two nights ago. They turned out so yummy! Definitely reminded me of the PF Chang lettuce wraps. Couldn’t find fresh lemon grass any where, so had to go with out it but it was delicious none the less! Thank you for the inspiring and amazing recipes, I follow your blog religiously! Making the Turkey and cheese stuffed pasta shells for my family Sunday : )

    Thanks!

  5. Chiara

    Mmmm… lettuce wraps from PF Chang’s are awesome! Ever since I moved to Europe I haven’t seen any lettuce wraps on menus, although I have to say that I wasn’t really looking. I guess I’ll have to start…. or make my own! They are so delicious.

  6. Sharlene

    I haven’t tried the lettuce wraps but I’ve had their fried bananas and yum YUM yum!! These look fantastic!

  7. Tessa

    I’ve made lettuce wraps once before, but these seem to be a little more “true” to the PF Changs version than mine were. Will have to give these a try!

  8. Joanne

    I was such a fan of PF Changs when I lived in boston (their tower of chocolate…also amazing). But there really aren’t any in NYC so I haven’t been in YEARS. I’m so glad you posted this because it would be such a great throw-back to my good old college days!

  9. Dionne @ Try Anything Once

    LOL I love that it’s ass friendly! This looks amazing. I may have to cook and bake my way through your blog…

  10. The USA Kiwi

    I’ve never been to PF Changs, but we love love love lettuce wraps. In particular, the DH can’t get enough of them.

    These look great!

  11. Kita

    So bookmarking this one. I enjoy PF Changs lettuce wraps (though trying to get the BF to order anything but dumplings is near impossible). These look great :)

  12. Amy

    I made lettuce cups once but your recipe sounds tastier than the one I used, I think I’ll have to try making them again!

  13. Lea Ann

    Lettuce wraps are so delicious. The Splendid Table’s cookbook How To Eat Dinner also has a great lettuce wrap recipe. One of my favorite.

  14. Miriam

    P.F. Chang’s is the only place I have had lettuce wraps.. I have been wanting to recreate them for a while. This combination of flavors looks great! I can’t wait to make these… probably replacing the turkey with lentils for a meat free version.

  15. CaSaundra

    Unfortunately I’ve never been to P.F. Chang’s..we don’t have them around here. But regardless, your lettuce wraps look great!

  16. Sukaina

    Ok….I lurveeee PF Changs. They recently opened up two branches in Dubai and I’m their best customer :) Will gladly be trying these out at home!

  17. Nicole

    P.F. Changs lettuce wraps are the only fast food (well, chain restaurant) I can say that I actually like. I made them at home a while back, and although they were good they were also a lot of work.

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Jessica
For the past 15 years, Jorge & Jessica have loved getting to share their families' favorite recipes with all of you. They live in Florida with their 3 kids.