1. Prepare the Lettuce Wraps

Start by washing and drying the lettuce leaves. Choose large, sturdy leaves that can hold the turkey mixture without tearing. Butter lettuce, iceberg, or Romaine are excellent choices for wraps due to their size and flexibility. Gently pat the leaves dry with paper towels, as excess moisture can make them soggy. Once they’re dry, set the leaves aside on a plate or tray to prepare for assembly.

2. Cook the Ground Turkey

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chopped onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and bell pepper (if using), and cook for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the vegetables to become fragrant and slightly tender.

Add the ground turkey to the pan and use a wooden spoon or spatula to break it apart. Cook for about 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the turkey is fully cooked and browned. Make sure the turkey is broken up into small pieces for better texture in the wraps.

3. Season the Turkey Mixture

Once the turkey is cooked through, stir in the soy sauce, hoisin sauce (if using), grated ginger, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes (if you want some heat). Stir everything together and let the mixture simmer for another 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Taste the mixture and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.

The turkey should be flavorful and well-seasoned at this point. If you like a sweeter or tangier flavor, feel free to adjust the amount of hoisin sauce or soy sauce. If you prefer a bit more spice, you can increase the red pepper flakes or add extra chili paste to the turkey mixture.

4. Prepare the Sauce (Optional but Highly Recommended)

In a small bowl, whisk together the low-sodium soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey or maple syrup, sesame oil, lime juice, and chili paste or sriracha (if using). The sauce should have a nice balance of salty, sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors. Adjust the ingredients to taste if you prefer a stronger or milder flavor.

Set the sauce aside. You’ll drizzle it over the wraps when serving for an extra layer of flavor.

5. Assemble the Turkey Lettuce Wraps

Now that the turkey filling is ready and the sauce is prepared, it’s time to assemble the wraps. Take a lettuce leaf and spoon a generous amount of the turkey mixture into the center. Be sure to add enough filling so that the wraps are satisfying but not so much that they become difficult to fold.

If desired, top the turkey with additional toppings such as chopped green onions, shredded carrots, or a sprinkle of sesame seeds for extra crunch and flavor. Drizzle a little bit of the prepared sauce over the filling for added taste.

Fold the sides of the lettuce leaf over the filling and then roll it up like a burrito or wrap. Repeat with the remaining lettuce leaves and turkey mixture until all the wraps are assembled.

6. Serve the Turkey Lettuce Wraps

Place the finished wraps on a platter and serve immediately. You can also serve the remaining sauce on the side for dipping, so guests can add as much or as little sauce as they like. These wraps are best enjoyed fresh while the turkey is warm and the lettuce is crisp.