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Zesty Southwest Turkey Lettuce Wraps

Discover a fresh, light lettuce wrap filled with seasoned lean turkey. Made with no salt added tomato paste and broth, crisp lettuce, and bright lime. A satisfying, lower sodium option that is DASH-friendly and fits perfectly into a balanced lifestyle.

  • Total Time50 minutes
  • Yield6 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

For the Filling:

  • 1 tbsp olive oil (15 mL)
  • 1.81 lb 99% lean ground turkey (820 g)
  • 1 small yellow onion (finely diced (about 4 oz or 110 g))
  • 1/4 cup finely diced red bell pepper (30 g)
  • 1 can no-salt-added tomato paste (6 oz or 170 g)
  • 1 cup no-salt-added chicken broth (240 mL)

For the Spice Blend:

  • 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 1/2 tsp ancho chili powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 1/2 tsp granulated garlic
  • 3/4 tsp dried Mexican oregano
  • Pinch cayenne pepper (optional)

For Serving:

  • 12 large crisp leaves from butter or iceberg lettuce
  • Fresh cilantro (chopped)
  • Lime wedges

Instructions

  1. Prep and Combine: Wash and pat dry the lettuce leaves. In a small bowl, whisk together cumin, ancho chili powder, smoked paprika, granulated garlic, Mexican oregano, and optional cayenne.
  2. Sauté the Base: Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper and cook 4 to 5 minutes until beginning to soften. Stir in tomato paste and the spice blend and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Brown the Turkey: Add ground turkey. Cook, breaking into fine crumbles, 6 to 8 minutes until no longer pink.
  4. Simmer the Sauce: Stir in no-salt-added chicken broth, scraping up browned bits. Bring to a simmer.
  5. Reduce and Thicken: Lower heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is thick enough to coat the turkey with no pooling liquid. Verify food safety with an instant read thermometer. The turkey mixture should reach 165°F (74°C).
  6. Assemble and Serve: Spoon the warm turkey filling into lettuce leaves. Garnish with cilantro and serve with lime wedges for squeezing.

Notes

  • Use no salt added tomato paste and broth.
  • Adjust acidity with lime juice instead of salt.
  • Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours in a shallow container and use within 3 to 4 days.

Nutrition Facts (2 wraps): Calories: 227 kcal | Total Fat: 7 g (Saturated Fat: 1.7 g) | Sodium: 113 mg | Total Carbs: 9 g (Fiber: 3 g, Total Sugars: 7 g, Added Sugars: 0 g) | Protein: 31 g

These values are approximate and may vary based on ingredients and preparation.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
  • Cuisine: American, Southwest-Inspired, Tex-Mex Inspired

Nutrition

  • Calories: 227

Find it online: https://dietareas.com/2025/07/28/my-go-to-recipe-for-fresh-zesty-turkey-lettuce-boats/