Name: Low Carb Taco Lettuce Wraps
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 pound extra lean ground beef (or lean ground turkey, see shopping tip); 1 cup onions, (diced); 2 teaspoons garlic, (minced); 1 package (1 oz.) Lawry’s Taco Seasoning (or your favorite); ⅔ cup water; 12 Boston lettuce leaves or large romaine leaves; 1½ cups tomatoes, (chopped); ¼ cup Skinny Ranch Dressing; ¼ cup salsa, (I like Pace Chunky Salsa, mild or medium)

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

All the fabulous flavors of a yummy taco loaded onto a large lettuce leaf instead of a crunchy taco shell. This recipe makes enough for 12 taco wraps. And, the taco meat freezes great so you can keep some on hand for another time. Each skinny wrap has only 63 calories and 1 gram of fat. Great to serve for lunch or dinner and makes a fun appetizer.

Why You'll Love My Low Carb Taco Lettuce Wraps

Craving the vibrant flavors of tacos but following a low-carb or keto lifestyle? Low-carb taco lettuce wraps offer the perfect solution, delivering all the deliciousness of traditional tacos without the carb-heavy tortillas. These flavorful wraps replace tortillas with crisp lettuce leaves, creating a light, refreshing, and satisfying meal. By using seasoned ground meat (beef, turkey, or chicken), fresh toppings like salsa, my Skinny Ranch Dressing, and sour cream (or Greek yogurt for a lower-fat option), and skipping the grains, you can enjoy a guilt-free taco experience that fits perfectly within your dietary goals. They're quick and easy to make, ideal for a light lunch, a quick dinner, or even as appetizers.¹ Whether you're focused on weight loss, managing blood sugar, or simply prefer a lighter meal, low-carb taco lettuce wraps are a delicious, healthy, and satisfying way to enjoy all the flavors of taco night.

Ingredients For My Low Carb Taco Lettuce Wraps

Here's a detailed overview of each ingredient for Low Carb Taco Lettuce Wraps, focusing on their role in the recipe:

Taco Meat Ingredients:

Extra Lean Ground Beef or Lean Ground Turkey (1 pound): This provides the protein base for the taco filling. Using extra lean ground beef or lean ground turkey minimizes the fat content, making this a healthier option suitable for low-carb diets. Both options offer a good source of protein, essential for building and repairing tissues.
Diced Onions (1 cup): Onions add a foundational savory flavor to the meat. When cooked, they become sweeter and more aromatic, enhancing the overall taste of the filling. Dicing ensures even distribution of flavor throughout the meat.
Minced Garlic (2 teaspoons): Garlic contributes a pungent and savory note that complements the other spices and adds depth to the flavor profile of the taco meat.
Lawry’s Taco Seasoning (1 ounce package): This pre-mixed blend of spices provides the classic taco flavor.¹ It typically includes chili powder, cumin, oregano, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and other seasonings, creating a convenient and balanced flavor base.²
Water (⅔ cup): Water helps distribute the taco seasoning evenly throughout the ground meat and creates a slightly saucy consistency. This prevents the meat from becoming dry and ensures the flavors are well incorporated.

Lettuce Wrap Ingredients:

Boston Lettuce Leaves or Large Romaine Leaves (12): These serve as the "wraps," replacing traditional tortillas and significantly reducing the carbohydrate content. Boston lettuce offers a soft, pliable texture, while romaine provides a crisper, more sturdy base. Both options offer a refreshing element to the tacos.
Chopped Tomatoes (1½ cups): Tomatoes add freshness, juiciness, and a slightly acidic flavor that complements the savory meat and other toppings. They also contribute vitamins and antioxidants.
Skinny Ranch Dressing or Fat-Free Sour Cream (¼ cup): These provide a creamy element to the wraps, adding richness and moisture. Using a "skinny" ranch dressing or fat-free sour cream helps to keep the calorie and fat content lower while still providing a satisfying texture.
Salsa (¼ cup): Salsa adds a burst of fresh, vibrant flavor and a touch of heat. It complements the other taco ingredients and adds another layer of texture. Choosing a chunky salsa, like Pace Chunky Salsa, adds more texture and visual appeal. Using mild or medium salsa allows control over the level of spiciness.

How to Make Low Carb Taco Lettuce Wraps: A Quick, Healthy, and Delicious Recipe

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Sauté the Meat, Onions, and Garlic: In a large nonstick pan, add 1 pound of extra lean ground beef or lean ground turkey, 1 cup of diced onions, and 2 teaspoons of minced garlic. Place the pan over medium-high heat. Break up the ground meat with a spoon or spatula as it cooks. Sauté the mixture until the meat is fully browned and the onions are softened and translucent. The nonstick pan minimizes the need for added oil, which helps keep the recipe low in fat. The onions and garlic infuse the meat with aromatic flavors that form the base of the taco’s taste profile. Focus: Sautéing ground beef, cooking ground turkey, browning meat, cooking onions, cooking garlic.
Drain Excess Fat: This is a key step for creating a healthier, lower-fat taco filling. Once the meat is browned, carefully bring the pan to the sink. Place a colander in the sink and pour the meat mixture into it, allowing any excess fat to drain away. This significantly reduces the fat content of the final dish. Return the drained meat mixture to the pan. Focus: Draining ground beef, removing excess fat, healthy cooking techniques, low-fat recipes.
Add Taco Seasoning and Water: Add one 1-ounce package of Lawry’s Taco Seasoning (or your favorite brand) and ⅔ cup of water to the pan with the drained meat. Stir well to ensure the seasoning is evenly distributed throughout the meat. The water helps to create a slightly saucy consistency, preventing the meat from becoming dry and crumbly, and allows the spices to meld with the meat. Focus: Seasoning ground beef, making taco meat, taco seasoning mix, adding water to ground beef.
Simmer the Taco Meat: Bring the meat mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes. Simmering allows the flavors to deepen and the sauce to thicken slightly, creating a more cohesive and flavorful filling. Focus: Simmering ground beef, cooking taco filling, developing flavors, reducing sauce.
Prepare the Lettuce Wraps: While the meat is simmering, prepare the lettuce leaves. Gently wash and dry 12 Boston lettuce leaves or large romaine lettuce leaves. Choose leaves that are large enough to hold the filling without tearing. Boston lettuce offers a softer, more pliable texture, while romaine provides a crisper, sturdier base. Focus: Preparing lettuce wraps, washing lettuce, drying lettuce, choosing lettuce for wraps.
Assemble the Taco Lettuce Wraps: Now it’s time to assemble the taco lettuce wraps. Place approximately ¼ cup of the cooked taco meat onto the center of each lettuce leaf. Top the meat with 2 tablespoons of chopped tomatoes. Then, drizzle 1 teaspoon of skinny ranch dressing or fat-free sour cream and 1 teaspoon of salsa over the top. The tomatoes add freshness and a touch of acidity, while the ranch/sour cream provides creaminess and the salsa adds a burst of flavor and a touch of heat. Focus: Assembling lettuce wraps, filling lettuce wraps, taco toppings, healthy taco toppings, low-carb toppings.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve the Low Carb Taco Lettuce Wraps immediately. These wraps are a delicious, healthy, and satisfying way to enjoy all the flavors of tacos without the added carbs from tortillas. Focus: Serving lettuce wraps, enjoying lettuce wraps, low-carb meals, healthy lunch ideas, healthy dinner ideas.

These Low Carb Taco Lettuce Wraps are a quick, easy, and healthy meal option that’s perfect for anyone following a low-carb or keto diet, or simply looking for a lighter meal. The combination of flavorful seasoned meat, fresh toppings, and crisp lettuce creates a satisfying and guilt-free taco experience.

Helpful Tips About this Recipe

Makes 12 taco wraps. Each ¼ cup taco meat.

Shopping Tips
Happily, most supermarkets sell lean ground beef. I used the 96% lean ground beef from Trader Joe’s.

Prep Tips
Just by browning the ground beef or turkey and draining the fat before adding it back to the pan, you’ll cut the fat way down. It’s a simple prep tip that makes browning any type of meat healthier.

WW Freestyle SmartPoints 1-Blue
WW SmartPoints 1-Green

SKINNY FACTS: for 1 taco lettuce wrap
64 calories, 1g fat, 1g sat. fat, 20mg chol, 10g protein, 4g carbs, 1g fiber, 196mg sod, 1g sugar

FACTS: for Freestyle SmartPoints
53 calories, 1g sat. fat, 7g protein, 0g sugar