Skinny Spicy Turkey Lettuce (Printable)

Lean turkey blended with spices paired with tangy mango slaw in crisp lettuce leaves.

# What You’ll Need:

→ 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 pepper, 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

# How To Make:

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 diced red onion and cook until softened, approximately 2 minutes. Add minced garlic and jalapeño, and sauté for 1 minute more.
03 - Add ground turkey to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until no longer pink, about 5 to 6 minutes.
04 - Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, coriander, salt, and pepper. Add tomato paste and mix thoroughly until well combined.
05 - Pour in chicken broth and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes, allowing the mixture to thicken and flavors to meld. Squeeze in lime juice, stir, and remove from heat.
06 - Spoon the spiced turkey mixture into the center of each lettuce leaf. Top generously with prepared mango slaw.
07 - Garnish with extra cilantro and lime wedges as desired. Serve immediately.

# Top Tips:

01 -
  • It's ready in 35 minutes, making weeknight dinners feel less like a chore and more like treating yourself.
  • The heat from the spices plays beautifully against the cool sweetness of the mango, creating layers of flavor that keep you coming back for more.
  • You can prep the slaw ahead, so assembly becomes almost meditative instead of rushed.
02 -
  • Overscooping the turkey will cause the lettuce to tear—use a gentle hand and remember that less is often more with these tacos, allowing each element to shine instead of competing for space.
  • If your mango is underripe, the slaw will taste thin and sad; a truly ripe mango with a fragrant smell is non-negotiable for this recipe's success.
03 -
  • Don't skip patting your lettuce leaves dry; any excess moisture will make them fall apart when you fill them and turn a elegant meal into a soggy mess.
  • If you can't find truly ripe mangoes, a moment of ripening on the counter for a day or two is worth the wait—this dish deserves the real thing.
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