Italian Lettuce Wraps (Printable)
Crisp lettuce wraps with savory Italian turkey, fresh vegetables, and creamy mozzarella
# What's Needed:
→ Protein
01 - 1.1 lb ground turkey or chicken
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
05 - 1 tsp dried oregano
06 - 1 tsp dried basil
07 - 1/2 tsp salt
08 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ Vegetables & Wraps
09 - 1 large head butter lettuce or romaine, leaves separated and washed
10 - 2 medium tomatoes, diced
11 - 1 small cucumber, diced
12 - 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
→ Cheese & Toppings
13 - 4 oz fresh mozzarella, diced or mini balls, halved
14 - 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves, chopped
15 - 2 tbsp balsamic glaze (optional)
16 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# How to Make It:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and onion; sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant and softened.
02 - Add ground turkey, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through.
03 - Stir in dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Cook 1-2 more minutes to blend flavors. Remove from heat and set aside.
04 - Lay out lettuce leaves on a serving platter. Fill each with a spoonful of the turkey mixture.
05 - Top with diced tomatoes, cucumber, and red bell pepper.
06 - Add mozzarella pieces and sprinkle with fresh basil.
07 - Drizzle with balsamic glaze if desired, and finish with a grind of black pepper. Serve immediately, folding the lettuce leaves over the filling to eat.
# Tips for Success:
01 -
- These wraps come together in under 30 minutes but taste like something from a specialty Italian café
- The combination of warm seasoned turkey and cool crisp lettuce creates this satisfying temperature contrast that keeps every bite interesting
02 -
- Overcooking the turkey makes it dry and crumbly, so remove it from the heat as soon as it is fully cooked through
- Patting your lettuce leaves completely dry with paper towels prevents the wraps from becoming soggy too quickly
03 -
- Use a lettuce knife or plastic knife to prevent the leaves from turning brown where cut
- Room temperature ingredients combine more evenly and cook more consistently