Creamy Sesame Turkey Lettuce Cups

If you’re in the mood for something light, bright, and packed with Asian-inspired flavor, my creamy sesame turkey lettuce cups hit the spot every time. Ground turkey gets sautéed with simple seasonings and pantry staples like coconut aminos, rice wine vinegar, and sesame oil, then scooped into crisp butter lettuce cups and topped with a drizzle of creamy sesame sauce that ties everything together. These cups are perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, meal prep bowls, or finger food at gatherings.

I love how effortless this recipe feels — it cooks up in about 30 minutes and doesn’t skimp on flavor. The creamy sesame sauce adds richness and umami, while the fresh lettuce cups keep it feeling light. You can serve them just as they are, or add jasmine rice on the side if you want something heartier.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

1 lb Ground Turkey

1 cup Shredded Carrots

1 tbsp Coconut Aminos

1 tbsp Rice Wine Vinegar

½ tsp Sesame Oil

2 tsp Ginger Paste

2 tsp Garlic Powder

2 tsp Onion Powder

1 tsp Salt

1 tsp Black Pepper

For the cups:

Bibb Lettuce

Rice

Sesame Seeds

Creamy Sesame Sauce (Sidedish)

Instructions:

1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground turkey and break it up with a spatula as it cooks. Sprinkle on garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook until the turkey is no longer pink and begins to brown slightly.

2. Once the turkey is mostly cooked through, stir in the shredded carrots. Cook for another 2–3 minutes until the carrots start to soften.

3. Pour in the coconut aminos, rice wine vinegar, and sesame oil. If you like extra depth, add a teaspoon of ginger paste or freshly grated ginger here. Stir everything together so it’s coated in the sauce and fragrant. Let it warm through for another couple of minutes.

4. While the turkey mixture finishes cooking, gently separate the butter lettuce leaves into cups. Rinse and pat dry so they’re crisp and ready to go.

5. To assemble, spoon a bit of jasmine rice into the base of each lettuce leaf if using. Top with the warm turkey mixture. Drizzle generously with creamy sesame sauce, then sprinkle with sesame seeds for crunch and visual appeal.

6. Serve immediately while the turkey is warm and the lettuce is crisp. These are great on their own or paired with simple sides like steamed rice or quick pickled cucumbers for added brightness.

Tips for Success

• Use crisp lettuce — Butter lettuce has the perfect shape and texture for holding fillings, but romaine or bibb work well too.

• Adjust the sauce — The creamy sesame sauce is a flavor anchor here. Use more or less depending on your taste, and feel free to add sriracha or chili flakes for heat.

• Add fresh ginger — A bit of fresh ginger adds extra depth and brightness to the turkey mixture if you have it on hand.

• Make it a rice bowl — If you want leftovers to stretch further or a more filling meal, serve the turkey mixture over jasmine rice with the creamy sauce drizzled on top.