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Taco Lettuce Wraps

Taco lettuce wraps are a healthy, flavorful and delicious protein packed, low-carb alternative to traditional tacos. They’re paleo, gluten-free and an easy Whole 30 recipe! 

Lettuce cup with taco meat and pico de gallo.
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Low Carb Lettuce Tacos

I love to make lettuce wraps whenever I’m trying to eat clean. They are a healthy alternative and taste so delicious. Some of my favorite lettuce wrap recipes are my cashew chicken lettuce wraps, PF Chang’s lettuce wraps and chicken club lettuce wraps.

One of my new favorite healthy dinner recipes are these taco lettuce wraps. I made them when I was doing a round of the Whole30, since you can’t have any grains or gluten. I decided to try a lettuce wrap instead of a taco shell and to my surprise, I didn’t even miss the shell!

These wraps are perfect for busy nights on the go. I usually double my taco meat and freeze half of it for a quick meal or I make these chicken fajitas and wrap them in lettuce!

Making taco meat in a skillet.

Ingredients

  • Olive oil
  • Onion
  • Red bell pepper
  • Lean ground beef or turkey
  • Spices: Cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, S&P
  • Salsa
  • Romaine lettuce cups
  • Toppings of choice

Variations

  • Protein: Feel free to swap the taco meat with salsa chicken or this easy Instant Pot shredded beef.
  • Extra heat: Or add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or hot sauce for some extra heat.
  • Salad instead: You could even chop up the romaine and make them into a taco salad if you’d like!

How to Make Taco Lettuce Wraps

  1. Brown the onions, peppers and ground beef. In a large pan over medium-heat, saute the onion and bell peppers in the olive oil. Once translucent, add ground beef and brown. Remove any excess grease.
  2. Add in seasonings and simmer. Mix in the spices and salsa and let simmer for a few more minutes, until combined and thick.
  3. Top and serve! Add taco meat to the inside of each lettuce leaf and top with your favorite toppings.
Lettuce tacos on a white plate topped with pico de gallo.

Lettuce Tacos Toppings

I love to top my lettuce tacos with fresh pico de gallo and sliced avocado! Perfection! :)

Two taco lettuce wraps topped with pico de gallo and sliced avocado.

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lettuce cup with taco meat and pico de gallo

Taco Lettuce Wraps

5 from 6 votes
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Author: Jamielyn Nye
Taco lettuce wraps are a healthy, flavorful and delicious protein packed, low-carb alternative to traditional tacos. They're paleo, gluten-free and an easy Whole 30 recipe!
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients 

  • 1 ½ teaspoons olive oil
  • cup onion
  • cup red bell pepper
  • 1 pound lean ground beef or turkey
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder , omit if you don’t like spice
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • cup salsa

For serving: Lettuce cups or taco shells

    Optional toppings: pico de gallo, avocado, sour cream, cheese

      Instructions

      • In a large frying pan, sauté the onion and bell peppers in the oil over medium-heat. Once onions are translucent, add ground beef and brown. Remove any grease.
      • Mix in salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder and salsa. Let simmer for a couple minutes.
      • Serve the taco meat inside a lettuce wrap or taco cup. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!

      Notes

      • Can use lean ground beef or ground turkey. 
      • Omit the chili powder if you aren’t a huge fan of spice. 
      • I love to double my taco meat and freeze half for a busy weeknight. Check out how I freeze mine in this post
      • Can use hard taco shells if preferred. 

      Nutrition

      Calories: 154kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 543mg | Potassium: 314mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 380IU | Vitamin C: 11.5mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1.9mg

      Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

      Course: Main Dish
      Cuisine: Mexican

      Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!

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