Name: Spiced Ground Turkey Lettuce Cups
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon Sesame Oil: This oil provides a nutty, aromatic base flavor that is fundamental to many Asian-inspired dishes. Using toasted sesame oil will impart an even deeper flavor.; 1 medium Yellow Onion, finely chopped: The onion builds the first layer of savory flavor, becoming sweet and translucent as it cooks.; 2 cloves Garlic, minced: An essential aromatic that adds a pungent, savory depth. Freshly minced garlic is always recommended over the jarred variety for the best flavor.; 1 tablespoon Fresh Ginger, grated: Ginger provides a warm, zesty, and slightly spicy kick that brightens the entire dish and pairs beautifully with the other savory ingredients.; 1 pound Ground Turkey (93/7 lean): Using 93/7 lean ground turkey provides the best balance of flavor and moisture without being overly greasy. It’s a fantastic source of lean protein.; 1/4 cup Hoisin Sauce: This is the star of the sauce, offering a complex, sweet, and salty flavor profile with a thick consistency that perfectly coats the turkey.; 2 tablespoons Low-Sodium Soy Sauce or Tamari: Adds essential salty and umami notes. Use tamari for a completely gluten-free option.; 1 tablespoon Rice Vinegar: This provides a touch of acidity that cuts through the richness of the sauce and brightens all the flavors.; 1 teaspoon Sriracha or Chili Garlic Sauce (optional): For those who enjoy a bit of heat. You can adjust the amount based on your personal preference for spiciness.; 1 can (8 ounces) Water Chestnuts, drained and finely chopped: These are non-negotiable for incredible texture. They remain crisp even after cooking, providing a wonderful contrast to the soft turkey.; 2 Green Onions, thinly sliced: Adds a mild, fresh onion flavor and a pop of color. The white and green parts are both used, often with the greens reserved for garnish.; 1 head of Butter Lettuce or Iceberg Lettuce: These varieties are perfect for creating cup shapes. Butter lettuce is soft and pliable, while iceberg offers a superior crunch. You’ll need about 12-16 whole leaves.

Ingredients

Scale

1 tablespoon Sesame Oil: This oil provides a nutty, aromatic base flavor that is fundamental to many Asian-inspired dishes. Using toasted sesame oil will impart an even deeper flavor.
1 medium Yellow Onion, finely chopped: The onion builds the first layer of savory flavor, becoming sweet and translucent as it cooks.
2 cloves Garlic, minced: An essential aromatic that adds a pungent, savory depth. Freshly minced garlic is always recommended over the jarred variety for the best flavor.
1 tablespoon Fresh Ginger, grated: Ginger provides a warm, zesty, and slightly spicy kick that brightens the entire dish and pairs beautifully with the other savory ingredients.
1 pound Ground Turkey (93/7 lean): Using 93/7 lean ground turkey provides the best balance of flavor and moisture without being overly greasy. It’s a fantastic source of lean protein.
1/4 cup Hoisin Sauce: This is the star of the sauce, offering a complex, sweet, and salty flavor profile with a thick consistency that perfectly coats the turkey.
2 tablespoons Low-Sodium Soy Sauce or Tamari: Adds essential salty and umami notes. Use tamari for a completely gluten-free option.
1 tablespoon Rice Vinegar: This provides a touch of acidity that cuts through the richness of the sauce and brightens all the flavors.
1 teaspoon Sriracha or Chili Garlic Sauce (optional): For those who enjoy a bit of heat. You can adjust the amount based on your personal preference for spiciness.
1 can (8 ounces) Water Chestnuts, drained and finely chopped: These are non-negotiable for incredible texture. They remain crisp even after cooking, providing a wonderful contrast to the soft turkey.
2 Green Onions, thinly sliced: Adds a mild, fresh onion flavor and a pop of color. The white and green parts are both used, often with the greens reserved for garnish.
1 head of Butter Lettuce or Iceberg Lettuce: These varieties are perfect for creating cup shapes. Butter lettuce is soft and pliable, while iceberg offers a superior crunch. You’ll need about 12-16 whole leaves.

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Prepare Your Lettuce: Begin by carefully preparing your lettuce, as this will be the vessel for your delicious filling. Gently separate the leaves from the head of lettuce, trying to keep them whole and intact. Wash the leaves under cool running water and pat them completely dry with a paper towel or use a salad spinner. Any residual water can make the cups soggy. Arrange the prepared leaves on a platter and set them aside. This step can be done ahead of time and the leaves can be stored in the refrigerator to keep them crisp.
Sauté the Aromatics: In a large skillet or wok, heat the sesame oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the finely chopped yellow onion. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion begins to soften and become translucent. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the skillet. Continue to cook for another minute until they are highly fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can become bitter. This initial step builds a powerful and aromatic flavor foundation for the entire dish.
Cook the Ground Turkey: Add the ground turkey to the skillet with the sautéed aromatics. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to break the turkey apart into small crumbles. Cook for about 6-8 minutes, stirring frequently, until the turkey is fully cooked through and no longer pink. As it cooks, the turkey will absorb the delicious flavors of the onion, garlic, and ginger.
Create the Sauce: While the turkey is browning, you can prepare the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the hoisin sauce, low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari), rice vinegar, and the optional sriracha. Mixing the sauce separately ensures that all the ingredients are well-combined before being added to the skillet, which allows for more even flavor distribution.
Combine and Simmer: Once the turkey is cooked, drain off any excess fat or liquid from the skillet if necessary. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Pour the prepared sauce mixture over the cooked turkey. Stir everything together until the turkey is evenly coated. Let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes, which allows the turkey to absorb the rich flavors of the sauce and for the sauce to thicken slightly, clinging to the meat perfectly.
Add the Final Touches: Turn off the heat. Fold in the finely chopped water chestnuts and the sliced green onions (reserving a small amount for garnish). The water chestnuts add a fantastic, surprising crunch, and the green onions introduce a fresh, mild sharpness. Stir just until they are combined; you want the water chestnuts to retain their signature crispness.
Serve and Enjoy: Transfer the spiced ground turkey filling to a serving bowl. To serve, allow everyone to spoon a generous amount of the warm filling into their individual crisp lettuce cups. Garnish with the reserved sliced green onions and any other desired toppings. These are best assembled right before eating to maintain the perfect contrast between the warm filling and the cool, crisp lettuce.

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 380
Sodium: 590mg
Fat: 18g
Carbohydrates: 22g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 32g