Skinny Spicy Turkey Lettuce Tacos (Print View)

Lean turkey filling spiced with smoky seasonings, served in crisp lettuce cups with refreshing mango-cabbage slaw for a light yet satisfying meal.

# Components:

→ Turkey Filling

01 - 1 pound lean ground turkey
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 small red onion, finely diced
04 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
06 - 1 tablespoon chili powder
07 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
08 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
10 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
12 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
13 - 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
14 - Juice of 1/2 lime

→ Mango Slaw

15 - 1 large ripe mango, peeled and julienned
16 - 1 cup shredded red cabbage
17 - 1/2 cup shredded carrots
18 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
19 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
20 - Juice of 1 lime
21 - 1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup
22 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
23 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ For Serving

24 - 12 large butter or romaine lettuce leaves, washed and patted dry
25 - Lime wedges for garnish
26 - Fresh cilantro for garnish

# Preparation Steps:

01 - In a large bowl, combine mango, red cabbage, carrots, cilantro, and green onions. In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, honey, rice vinegar, and salt. Pour dressing over the slaw and toss well. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add red onion and cook until softened, approximately 2 minutes. Add garlic and jalapeño, and sauté for 1 minute.
03 - Add ground turkey to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until no longer pink, approximately 5 to 6 minutes.
04 - Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, coriander, salt, and pepper. Add tomato paste and mix thoroughly to combine all spices.
05 - Pour in chicken broth and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, allowing the mixture to thicken and flavors to meld. Squeeze in lime juice and stir. Remove from heat.
06 - Spoon spicy turkey mixture into the center of each lettuce leaf. Top generously with mango slaw.
07 - Garnish with extra cilantro and lime wedges as desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's ready in under 40 minutes: perfect for weeknight dinners when you're hungry but short on time.
  • The contrast between warm spiced turkey and cool, tangy slaw is genuinely addictive: your taste buds stay engaged with every bite.
  • Naturally low-carb and gluten-free without feeling restrictive: lettuce wraps somehow taste more fun than traditional shells.
02 -
  • Pat your lettuce leaves completely dry: wet leaves will absorb the warm turkey filling and turn mushy within minutes, losing that satisfying crisp texture that makes these special.
  • Don't skip refrigerating the mango slaw: this quiet time lets the vegetables soften slightly and the dressing flavors deepen, plus the temperature contrast when you assemble everything is part of what makes these tacos sing.
03 -
  • Build your tacos to order rather than assembling them all at once: this keeps the lettuce crisp and warm, preventing sogginess that happens within minutes if they sit assembled.
  • Double the mango slaw if you're serving more than four people: it disappears faster than the turkey, and having extra means people can pile it on generously.
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