Skinny Spicy Turkey Lettuce Tacos (Printable)

Lean turkey filling spiced with smoky seasonings, nestled in crisp lettuce leaves and crowned with refreshing mango-cabbage slaw.

# Ingredient List:

→ Turkey Filling

01 - 1 lb lean ground turkey
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 small red onion, finely diced
04 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
06 - 1 tbsp chili powder
07 - 1 tsp ground cumin
08 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
09 - 1/2 tsp ground coriander
10 - 1/2 tsp salt
11 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
12 - 2 tbsp 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 tbsp honey or agave syrup
22 - 1 tbsp rice vinegar
23 - 1/2 tsp salt

→ Assembly

24 - 12 large butter or romaine lettuce leaves, washed and patted dry
25 - Lime wedges, optional
26 - Extra cilantro, optional

# Steps:

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 slaw and toss well. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add red onion and cook until softened, approximately 2 minutes. Add garlic and jalapeño, sauté for 1 minute.
03 - Add ground turkey to 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 incorporated.
05 - Pour in chicken broth and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, allowing the mixture to thicken and flavors to develop. Squeeze lime juice into mixture, stir well, and remove from heat.
06 - Spoon spicy turkey mixture into the center of each lettuce leaf. Top generously with mango slaw.
07 - Garnish with extra cilantro and lime wedges if desired. Serve immediately.

# Tips from the Pros:

01 -
  • Ready in just 35 minutes – perfect for busy weeknights
  • Low-carb alternative to traditional tacos without sacrificing flavor
  • Balanced combination of spicy, sweet, and tangy flavors
  • Naturally gluten-free and dairy-free for inclusive entertaining
  • Vibrant and colorful presentation that's as beautiful as it is delicious
02 -
  • For the juiciest turkey filling, avoid overcooking – remove from heat as soon as it's no longer pink
  • Prepare the mango slaw first so the flavors have time to meld while you cook the turkey
  • If mangoes aren't in season, substitute with peaches or nectarines in summer or diced apples in fall
  • For meal prep, store the components separately and assemble just before eating to maintain texture
  • Warm the turkey filling slightly before serving if it has been refrigerated
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