The BEST Healthy Asian Lettuce Wraps - House of Nash Eats (2024)

These Asian Lettuce Wraps are made with savory, seasoned ground turkey or ground chicken and crunchy veggies wrapped up in fresh lettuce leaves to make for a satisfying bite that your family will love! They are super flavorful, healthy, and the perfect appetizer, lighter, or lunch.

Looking for more easy appetizer recipes? Be sure to try ourCrispy Loaded Potato Skins,Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers, and Homemade Egg Rolls next!

The BEST Healthy Asian Lettuce Wraps - House of Nash Eats (1)

Asian Lettuce Wraps

Once a quarter, I join forces with some of my blogging friends to do a good old-fashioned blog hop hosted by the marvelous Michaela from An Affair From the Heart. We call it Freaky Friday, and are each secretly assigned another blogger with the mission of recreating one of their recipes to share on our own blogs.

This time around I was assigned the blog The Foodie Affair. Sandra, who created The Foodie Affair, has so many amazing, healthy recipes on her site! I was torn on what to share because there are so many fantastic recipes to choose from! If you follow a Keto or low carb diet, Sandra has a large collection of recipes that will be right up your alley. Her crab stuffed portabello mushrooms sound wonderful, and I'm adding planning to try her slow cooked meatballs in chipotle sauce soon.

But I couldn't resist making Sandra's Asian lettuce wraps once I saw them!

The BEST Healthy Asian Lettuce Wraps - House of Nash Eats (2)

Whenever we go out to eat and see lettuce wraps on the menu, we always order them. If you haven't had them before, they are sort of like a taco with a whole piece (or two) of lettuce for the shell. Lettuce wraps are filled with all sorts of crisp veggies and savory meat, and they were quick and easy to make at home.

Although Sandra used ground turkey in her original recipe, I chose to make Asian chicken lettuce wraps with some ground chicken that I had on hand. I actually have a feeling that you could change up this recipe by marinating a chicken breast or two in the sauce ingredients and grilling it, then slicing it and drizzling extra sauce (that wasn't used as a marinade) over the sliced chicken for a different texture.

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How to make Asian lettuce wraps

  1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil. After that, brown the ground chicken or ground turkey, crumbling it with a wooden spoon, until done. Drain any extra liquid from the pan and then transfer the meat to a plate.
  2. Add another tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet and then cook the onion until soft and translucent. Add in the garlic, cooking and stirring for 1 minute. Add the meat back into the pan with the onions.
  3. Add the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, fresh ginger, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, green onions, and water chestnuts. Mix well, cooking for 1 minute longer, before removing from heat. Adjust the seasoning as needed.
  4. Fill your lettuce with the chicken mixture and serve with matchstick carrots, mint leaves, and bean sprouts for assembly.
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Really, you could use almost any ground meat in this asian lettuce wraps recipe, not just chicken or turkey. Ground beef, ground pork, or even ground lamb will work with the same seasonings and method, depending on what you have on hand and what you prefer for flavor.

You could also use different vegetables like very thinly sliced red bell peppers, shaved cabbage, green onions, or other veggies, so long as they are sliced or chopped small.

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What is the best lettuce for lettuce wraps

The most commonly used lettuce leaf for Asian wraps is Iceberg lettuce because its extra crisp and holds its shape nicely. It's what is served at restaurants like P.F. Chang's or The Cheesecake Factory with their lettuce wraps.

But softer lettuces like butter lettuce (also known as Bibb or Boston lettuce) are fantastic too and have wonderful flavor. Plus, they provide more nutrients than Iceberg lettuce.

How do you store lettuce wraps?

If you plan on eating your lettuce wraps cold, chill your filling before adding to the lettuce bowls and keep them in a covered container or on a plastic wrap covered plate in the fridge. If you want your filling to be enjoyed warm, keep the lettuce and filling separate so the lettuce doesn’t wilt. You can serve the lettuce wraps family style with a big plate for the lettuce leaves, bowls for the veggie add-ins, and another plate or bowl with the meat filling, so everyone can assemble their own lettuce wraps.

Store prepared lettuce in a large plastic baggy with a paper towel to absorb moisture and keep your prepared filling in a plastic bag or airtight storage container and reheat before using. Keep both stored in the fridge, then warm the meat and assemble the lettuce wraps before eating.

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What to serve with Asian wraps

Asian Lettuce Wraps can be served with just about anything with a similar or complementing flavor. Teriyaki glazed chicken, sesame chicken, rice or yakisoba noodles would all be great options!

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More Asian-inspired recipes you'll enjoy

  • Slow Cooker Asian Pulled Pork Sliders
  • Oven Baked Korean BBQ Chicken Wings
  • Grilled Thai Pork Tenderloin with Coconut Lime Peanut Sauce
  • Better Than Take Out Chinese Sweet and Sour Pork
  • Easy Honey Walnut Shrimp
  • Asian Slaw with Ginger Peanut Dressing
  • Garlic Rice with Fried Egg

Did you make this recipe?

Let me know what you thought with a comment and rating below. You can also take a picture and tag me on Instagram @houseofnasheats or share it on the Pinterest pin so I can see.

The BEST Healthy Asian Lettuce Wraps - House of Nash Eats (8)

PrintPinRate

Asian Lettuce Wraps

4.91 from 22 votes

Amy Nash

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Asian

Servings 4 -6 Servings

These Asian Lettuce Wraps are made with savory, seasoned ground turkey or ground chicken and crunchy veggies wrapped up in fresh lettuce leaves to make for a satisfying bite that your family will love! They are super flavorful, healthy, and the perfect appetizer, lighter, or lunch.

Ingredients

  • 12-16 bibb or butter lettuce leaves washed and dried
  • 1 pound ground chicken or ground turkey
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil divided
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 Tablespoon reduced sodium soy sauce
  • ¼ cup hoisin sauce
  • 2 teaspoons fresh ginger minced
  • 1 Tablespoon rice wine vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil
  • 2 green onions chopped
  • 8 ounces water chestnuts drained and chopped
  • Carrot matchsticks
  • Fresh mint leaves
  • Roasted peanuts
  • Bean sprouts

Instructions

  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, then brown the ground chicken, crumbling with a wooden spoon until done. Drain any extra liquid and transfer to a plate.

  • Add another tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet and cook the onion in it until soft and translucent. Add garlic, cooking and stirring for 1 minute, then add the meat back into the pan with the onions.

  • Add the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, ginger, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, green onions, and water chestnuts. Mix well, cooking for 1 minute longer, then remove from the heat. Adjust seasoning as needed.

  • Serve the filling with the lettuce leaves, matchstick carrots, mint leaves, and bean sprouts for assembly.

Notes

  • You can use ground beef, ground chicken, ground pork, or ground lamb in place of the ground turkey.
  • You could probably double the sauce ingredients and use ½ of it to marinate chicken breasts, then grill and slice thinly if you don't have ground chicken or ground turkey to use. Use the rest of the sauce to drizzle over the sliced chicken in the lettuce wraps.

Recipe adapted only slightly from The Foodie Affair.

Nutrition

Calories: 339kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 98mg | Sodium: 489mg | Potassium: 881mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1552IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 2mg

Tried this recipe? Show me on Instagram!Mention @HouseOfNashEats or tag #houseofnasheats!

More Freaky Friday Recipes

  1. An Affair from the Heart –Brown Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies
  2. Aunt Bee’s Recipes –Homemade Loaded Queso
  3. Bowl Me Over –Crispy Smashed Potatoes
  4. Hostess at Heart –Chocolate Coffee Cake
  5. Lemoine Family Kitchen –Easy Homemade Flour Tortillas
  6. Life, Love & Good Food –Italian Grilled Burgers
  7. Lisa’s Dinnertime Dish –Lemon Garlic Brussels Sprout Linguine
  8. Or Whatever You Do –Air Fryer Shrimp
  9. Take Two Tapas –Fried Mac and Cheese Balls
  10. The Foodie Affair –Strawberry Bread
  11. The Speckled Palate –Chicken Pesto Pasta
  12. West Via Midwest –Loaded Baked Potato Skins – Air Fryer Recipes

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About the author

The BEST Healthy Asian Lettuce Wraps - House of Nash Eats (13)

Hi, I'm Amy

I enjoy exploring the world through food, culture, and travel and sharing the adventure with mostly from-scratch, family friendly recipes that I think of as modern comfort cooking.

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The BEST Healthy Asian Lettuce Wraps - House of Nash Eats (2024)

FAQs

What is the best lettuce to use for lettuce wraps? ›

What is the best lettuce to use for lettuce wraps? You can use any type of green leafy lettuce for lettuce wraps, but popular types of lettuce include Boston bib lettuce and romaine hearts. Cabbage leaves or jicima wraps would also work great.

What is a good side dish for Asian lettuce wraps? ›

Sides are a great way to add color, flavor, and texture to your lettuce wraps. Traditional sides like pickled vegetables, noodles such as soba or udon, and crunchy salads like cucumber or cabbage work well. However, feel free to get creative with your sides; you can serve anything from roasted potatoes to quinoa bowls!

How many carbs are in Chinese lettuce wraps? ›

One serving of lettuce wraps has 67 grams of carbs! Those wraps are loaded with sugar.

How many calories are in a Chinese lettuce wrap? ›

Nutrition summary

There are 340 calories in 1 serving of Asian Lettuce Wraps.

What are Korean lettuce wraps called? ›

Korean lettuce wraps (ssambap) is a home-style healthy Korean meal. Rice is wrapped with variety of lettuce and leaves, then topped with a fish topping sauce.

Which lettuce is the healthiest? ›

So, to answer your question, the most nutritious lettuce is Romaine. Compared to red leaf, green leaf, butterhead (Boston and bib types) and iceberg, it delivers more folate, potassium, beta carotene and lutein.

What are the wraps that Chinese eat? ›

Popiah is a traditional Chinese roll, wrapped and filled with a variety of ingredients.

Is lettuce wrap good for diet? ›

If you're looking to go low-carb, lettuce wraps are a worthy solution. Plus, the added hydrating crunch of the lettuce makes for a refreshing summer meal. These eight wraps focus on high-protein fillings and flavorful combinations that take center stage for a healthy lunch or crowd-pleasing appetizer.

Why are PF Chang's lettuce wraps so high in carbs? ›

Why are P. F. Chang's lettuce wraps so high in carbs? The key ingredient, hoisin sauce, which is used to flavor the chicken mixture, is high in sugar and carbs.

Is lettuce wrap healthier than bun? ›

Burger lettuce wraps are definitely a healthier option since you're using lettuce instead of hamburger buns, but it all depends on what you add to them.

How much nutrition is in Szechuan chicken lettuce wraps? ›

Cactus Club Cafe Szechuan Chicken Lettuce Wraps (1 serving) contains 69g total carbs, 62g net carbs, 59g fat, 67g protein, and 990 calories.

How many calories are in a PF Chang's lettuce wrap? ›

Menu Nutritionals
ServingsCalories
Chang's Chicken Lettuce Wraps2330
Chang's Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps2260
BBQ Pork Spare Ribs (6)2430
Northern Style Spare Ribs (6)2380
6 more rows

How much nutrition is in Thai chicken lettuce wraps? ›

Nutrition Facts
  • Total Fat 6g. 8%
  • Saturated Fat 1g. 5%
  • Cholesterol 65mg. 22%
  • Sodium 1,100mg. 48%
  • Total Carbs 12g. 4%
  • Dietary Fiber 1g. 4%
  • Total Sugars 4g.
  • Protein 25g. 50%

Is lettuce wrap better than bread? ›

By simply substituting your bun or bread for a lettuce leaf, you save calories and carbs and can have a healthier version of your favorite meal.

What is PF Chang's lettuce wraps made of? ›

Have you tried the lettuce wrap appetizer at P.F. Changs? It is famous for a reason! Juicy chicken, shiitake mushrooms, and water chestnuts combined in a killer Chinese sauce, nestled in a lettuce leaf and garnished with fried rice noodles.

Where do Chinese lettuce wraps come from? ›

However, they're not as far off as you might think, and lettuce wraps actually are believed to be Chinese in origin. While lettuce wraps originated in China, they've since migrated throughout Southeast Asia, and they're especially popular in Laos and Thailand.

Why do Koreans wrap meat with lettuce? ›

An iconic part of the Korean cuisine scene, it is not only fun making and customising your ssam but also enhances the overall flavour! Especially when you make ssam with pork belly, the lettuce and other ingredients balance out the heavy fatty flavours (of the pork).

What is the best lettuce to eat for weight loss? ›

Dark Leafy Green Vegetables – Super calcium-rich dark leafy greens including kale, spinach, romaine lettuce, chard, collard greens, etc. are ideal for helping weight loss.

What is the best lettuce for salad for weight loss? ›

The standard salad-bar option of iceberg lettuce is very low in calories, only 8 per cup, but contains very few nutrients. Instead, opt for spinach, spring mix or romaine lettuce. They, too, are low in calories, but also contain folate, vitamin C and eye-healthy lutein and zeaxanthanin. Pile on the colorful veggies!

Which is healthier romaine or spinach? ›

Spinach contains more vitamin C (an antioxidant), iron (helps prevent anemia), magnesium (can help protect against heart disease) and vitamin K (good for bones and blood).

What do Chinese eat instead of bread? ›

Mantou are typically eaten as a staple food in northern parts of China where wheat, rather than rice, is grown. They are made with milled wheat flour, water and leavening agents.

What are the thin wraps that the Chinese use? ›

Wonton Wrappers (Shanghai-Style)

Shanghai-style wonton wrappers are white and somewhat thin. These are the most common type of wonton wrapper we use in our recipes, like San Xian Wontons, Simple Wontons, and Chicken Wontons.

What are Korean wraps? ›

Ssambap are Korean lettuce wraps made of boldly-flavored seasoned meat, rice, a zingy sauce called ssamjang, and crisp vegetables. Ssam means "wrap" in Korean, and bap means "rice." Besides the rice and the wrap (lettuce most of the time), many variations exist when it comes to the filling of this tasty pocket.

Does lettuce detox your body? ›

If you wish to get on a detox spree, then lettuce can help to a great extent. Lettuce's watery nature also helps in flushing out toxins from the body. Iceberg lettuce contains the maximum amount of water content that matches that of cucumbers.

Are wraps healthy to eat everyday? ›

Wraps can be part of a healthy diet but it's important to choose ones with high nutritional value. It isn't only the tortilla that determines whether a wrap is healthy. What you put inside the wrap matters too, so choose healthy fillings and avoid loading up on fats. American Heart Association.

How many calories are in a Korean lettuce wrap? ›

This is an easy chicken lettuce wrap recipe with Asian inspiration and ready in only 20 minutes! If you're looking for a healthy option for lunches or meal prep, these wraps are only 300 calories per serving, low carb, and packed with protein!

What is the Vietnamese name for lettuce wraps? ›

Banh Mi Vietnamese Lettuce Wraps.

What is another name for lettuce wraps? ›

San Choy Bow (Chinese Lettuce Wraps)

What leaves are used to wrap food in Korea? ›

What are Perilla Leaves. The Korean name for perilla leaves is “kkaenip” or “ggaenip” (깻잎). In Korean cooking, perilla leaves are typically used in a pickled side dish, in stir fry, in soup and as a wrap. It is part of the mint family and has a strong aroma.

Which wraps have less carbs? ›

  • 1 Mr. Tortilla Low Carb Tortilla.
  • 2 La Banderita Low Carb Tortilla.
  • 3 Mission Foods Low Carb Tortilla.
  • 4 Mama Lupe Low Carb Tortilla.
  • 5 Maria & Ricardos Low Carb Tortilla.
May 8, 2023

Are wraps better than bread for carbs? ›

Please remember... CARBS ARE NOT BAD! But in the comparison here, there is 50.2g of carbs per 100g for the wraps and 43.3g for the bread per 100g. For one wrap, that is 35.1g versus 28.6g for two slices of bread.

Is romaine better than iceberg for lettuce wraps? ›

Romaine tastes slightly more bitter than the others although its flavor is still mild and won't compete with your filling. Iceberg Lettuce: Out of all the varieties we suggest, iceberg is the only tightly bound lettuce on the list. Its leaves are thick and crispy with a mild sweet flavor and have a high water-content.

Is lettuce or romaine healthier? ›

Nutritionally speaking, romaine is deemed superior to iceberg. Romaine is packed with nutrients, including vitamins A and C, and good amounts of folic acid and magnesium. The darker green leafy parts provide more nutritional value than the white crunchy centers, but all of it provides fiber in a healthy diet.

What is the healthiest lettuce for sandwiches? ›

Romaine lettuce has the most health benefits of any type, so choose these salad greens for your sandwiches if you want to make better dietary choices. Don't forget to give them a good wash before enjoying it.

What is the difference between a lettuce wrap and a wrap? ›

A lettuce wrap is your choice of protein wrapped in lettuce leaves, while the Protein Wrap is your choice of protein wrapped in the whole wheat or gluten free wrap. Your wraps should have vegetables included and the meat can be seasoned to your liking.

How much nutrition is in Chinese chicken lettuce wraps? ›

Per Portion
  • Calories 263.
  • Calories from fat 120.
  • Calories from saturated fat 28.8.
  • Total Fat 13.3 g.
  • Saturated Fat 3.2 g.
  • Trans Fat 0.1 g.
  • Polyunsaturated Fat 2.4 g.
  • Monounsaturated Fat 6.8 g.

Is there sugar in PF Changs lettuce wraps? ›

Chang's Lettuce Wraps. Of those total calories in lettuce wraps, 168 of them come straight from sugar. P.F.

How many carbs are in a Chinese salad? ›

One 11.0 ounce serving of Asian Salad contains 350 calories. When broken down into macros, it has 39 grams of protein, 14 grams of fat, 18 grams of carbohydrates, 5 grams of sugar, and 300 milligrams of sodium.

Is iceberg or romaine better for lettuce wraps? ›

The hearty taste and crunch make all my Caesar salads unforgettable. If you're a fan of wedge salads and wraps, iceberg may be the way to go. But for healthy salads, bowls and even taco night, pick up romaine!

What are the best leaves for wraps? ›

When selecting greens for wrapping, there are two options. You can use soft lettuce leaves such as Bibb or Butter lettuces, or the softer top portion of romaine or looseleaf varieties. Another great option is to use greens such as mustard, collard or Swiss chard.

What is the big lettuce for wraps? ›

Bibb or butter lettuce are my picks for these wraps. They have sturdy, broad leaves that hold a good amount of filling without major risk of everything falling apart.

What lettuce can I use instead of a bun? ›

Using a fresh, crispy wedge of iceberg lettuce in place of a heavy carb-filled bun adds both texture and crunch to your meal. Some people even prefer this method to using bread!

Should you eat romaine lettuce everyday? ›

Romaine lettuce can be a healthful part of a balanced diet and can provide even more health benefits if a person eats it regularly. The combination of a low calorie content and high nutritional value make this leafy green an excellent, healthful staple.

How do I choose a healthy wrap? ›

High fibre is key

Selecting a wrap high in fibre can help you meet your daily fibre requirements (25g/day for women and 30g/day for men). Fibre is important for optimal digestive, heart and immune health. Aim to pick a wrap with at least 3g of fibre per serve. Generally, wraps made from wholegrains are higher in fibre.

What is the best wrap to keep food fresh? ›

Beeswax wraps are reusable and highly versatile — and they often do a better job of keeping your food fresh than conventional plastic or foil wraps.

What lettuce does mcdonalds use? ›

The leaves towards the heart of the lettuce are the freshest, and those are exactly the ones we use for our famous chopped iceberg lettuce.

How do you keep lettuce wraps crisp? ›

Proper air circulation and a small amount of moisture will keep your lettuce crisp and fresh. The easiest (and most effective) way to do this is to line a sturdy glass or plastic container with a few paper towels, then scatter your greens on top.

What type of lettuce has no nutritional value? ›

Iceberg lettuce can be used just like butter lettuce (as a salad, on top of a sandwich, or as a bread replacement),” says Kennedy. “I don't usually recommend iceberg lettuce because there's not much nutritional value to it — I usually tell people to just have a glass of water instead.”

What is the best lettuce in place of bread? ›

Romaine Lettuce

Romaine lettuce has a lighter, more neutral flavour than dark leafy greens like collards, which is why it's one of our favourite bread alternatives. It can be used as sandwich 'bread' and wraps, as well as lettuce cups or burger buns.

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