Steve's Kitchen / Performance / Low-Carb

Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps

Low-Carb Fiesta, Maximum Flavor

"All the taco. None of the shell. All the gains."

38g Protein per serving | 285 calories | 6g carbs
18 Minutes
4 Servings
Easy Difficulty
Begin the Journey

The Origin

Tex-Mex meets clean eating.

Taco preparation

The Low-Carb Taco Solution

Taco Tuesday is sacred. But traditional tacos come with a carb payload that doesn't fit everyone's goals. Corn tortillas? 12g carbs each. Flour? 22g. Add two tacos and you've spent half your daily carb budget before toppings.

The lettuce wrap solution keeps everything you love about tacos — the seasoned meat, the fresh toppings, the salsa, the cheese — while dropping carbs to single digits. A full serving is 6g carbs total.

Ground turkey is leaner than beef but absorbs seasonings beautifully. The key is building flavor through the spices and not relying on fat for taste.

"Tacos should not require math. These don't."

Did You Know?

Ground turkey breast (99% lean) has more protein per calorie than almost any whole food — 26g protein per 120 calories. The trade-off is it can be dry if overcooked. The tomato paste in this recipe prevents that.

The Craft

Flavor without the carbs.

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The Spice Blend

Store-bought taco seasoning is often loaded with sugar, maltodextrin, and fillers. Making your own takes 2 minutes and gives you control.

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The Lettuce Cups

Butter lettuce or iceberg work best — they're sturdy enough to hold fillings without tearing. Boston lettuce is too delicate.

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Fresh Toppings

The toppings make or break it. Pico de gallo, avocado, Greek yogurt (sour cream swap) — these add texture and freshness that lettuce alone can't provide.

Gym Bro Tip

Make it work for your goals.

Cutting Season Stack

Skip the cheese and avocado on a cut — you're looking at 200 calories and 42g protein. Add them back during maintenance. Modular macros.

Macro Breakdown

The numbers that matter.

Per Serving (3 wraps)

285 Calories
38g Protein
11g Fat
6g Carbs

With Avocado

370 Calories
39g Protein
19g Fat
9g Carbs

Lean Build (no cheese/avo)

200 Calories
36g Protein
3g Fat
5g Carbs

The Ingredients

Fresh, clean, simple.

The Turkey

The Protein
  • 1.5 lbs Ground turkey (93% lean or leaner) 99% lean for maximum protein
  • 2 tbsp Tomato paste Adds moisture and umami
  • 1/4 cup Water or chicken broth

The Taco Seasoning

  • 1 tbsp Chili powder
  • 1 tsp Cumin
  • 1 tsp Paprika
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp Onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp Cayenne (optional)
  • 1/2 tsp Salt

The Wrap & Toppings

  • 2 heads Butter lettuce or iceberg
  • 1 cup Pico de gallo or fresh salsa
  • 1 Avocado, diced
  • 1/2 cup Shredded cheddar or Mexican blend
  • 1/2 cup Plain Greek yogurt (sour cream sub)
  • 1/4 cup Fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 Lime, cut into wedges

The Method

Fifteen minutes to taco bliss.

01

Season Mix

Build the flavor foundation.

1

Combine all spices in a small bowl: chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt. Set aside.

Make Extra

Triple this seasoning blend and store in a jar. Homemade taco seasoning ready whenever you need it.

02

Cook the Turkey

Brown, season, simmer.

2

Heat large skillet over medium-high heat. Add turkey, break apart with spatula. Cook 5-6 minutes until browned, breaking into crumbles.

3

Add spice mixture, stir to coat all the meat evenly. Cook 1 minute until fragrant.

4

Add tomato paste and water/broth. Stir well to combine. Simmer 3-4 minutes until liquid is mostly absorbed and meat is saucy.

Why Tomato Paste?

Lean turkey can be dry. Tomato paste adds moisture, umami, and helps the seasoning stick. It's the secret to restaurant-quality taco meat.

03

Assembly

Build your tacos.

5

Separate lettuce leaves — you want cup-shaped pieces that can hold fillings. Wash and pat dry.

6

Spoon taco meat into lettuce cups. Top with pico, avocado, cheese, Greek yogurt, and cilantro. Squeeze lime over everything.

Assembly Order

Meat first (hot), then cold toppings. The temperature contrast is part of the experience. Lime goes last — it ties everything together.

7

Serve immediately. Eat over a plate — these can be messy (in the best way).

Variations

Same concept, different vibes.

Asian Turkey Lettuce Wraps

Swap taco spices for soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil. Top with green onions and sriracha. P.F. Chang's at home.

Buffalo Chicken Wraps

Use ground chicken + Frank's Red Hot. Top with blue cheese crumbles and celery. Game day protein.

Korean BBQ Style

Ground beef with gochujang, sesame oil, and soy sauce. Top with kimchi and sesame seeds. Umami bomb.

Meal Prep Protocol

Taco prep for the week.

Batch the Meat

Double or triple the turkey. Portion into containers. Refrigerator: 4 days. Freezer: 3 months.

Keep Components Separate

Store lettuce, toppings, and meat separately. Assemble fresh each time for best texture.

Reheating

Microwave meat 90 seconds. Add 1 tbsp water if it looks dry. Assembly takes 2 minutes.

Versatile Base

Same meat works in salads, over cauliflower rice, or in regular tortillas for non-low-carb days.

Terminology

Taco talk.

Pico de Gallo

Fresh salsa made from chopped tomatoes, onion, cilantro, jalapeno, and lime; "salsa fresca"

Lettuce Cup

A single lettuce leaf used as a low-carb wrap; butter lettuce works best

93% Lean

Ground meat with 7% fat by weight; good balance of flavor and leanness