Turkey Taco Lettuce Cups
4 servings · 10 min prep · 12 min cook
Macros per serving
↓ 44% fewer calories · 220 kcal saved
Smart swaps
- flour tortilla + fried taco shell→butter lettuce cups
Eliminating both the tortilla and fried shell removes about 200 calories of refined carbs and fried fat per serving.
- 80/20 ground beef→93% lean ground turkey
Lean turkey has 55% less total fat and 60% less saturated fat while providing comparable protein per ounce.
- nacho cheese sauce + shredded cheese→lime crema from Greek yogurt
Replaces 15 g of fat from processed cheese with a high-protein, virtually fat-free topping that still delivers creaminess.
- sour cream→nonfat Greek yogurt lime crema
Swapping sour cream for Greek yogurt doubles protein content per tablespoon while cutting fat by over 90%.
Original
- 80/20 ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning packet
- 4 pieces small flour tortillas (6-inch)
- 4 pieces crunchy taco shells
- 0.25 cup nacho cheese sauce
- 0.5 cup shredded three-cheese Mexican blend
- 0.25 cup sour cream
- 0.5 cup iceberg lettuce, shredded
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil for frying
Healthy version
- •93% lean ground turkey
- •8 leaves butter lettuce leaves (large cups)
- •1 tbsp chili powder
- •1 tsp cumin
- •0.5 tsp smoked paprika
- •0.5 tsp garlic powder
- •0.5 tsp onion powder
- •0.5 cup diced yellow onion
- •0.5 cup diced bell pepper (any color)
- •2 medium Roma tomatoes, diced
- •0.25 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
- •1 tbsp fresh lime juice
- •2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
- •2 tbsp pickled jalapeno slices
Method
- 1
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and bell pepper; cook 3-4 minutes until softened.
3–4 minutes - 2
Add ground turkey to the skillet. Break it up with a wooden spoon and cook 5-6 minutes until no longer pink.
5–6 minutes - 3
Add chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder to the turkey. Stir well and cook 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Add 2 tbsp water to help the spices coat the meat evenly.
1–2 minutes - 4
While the turkey cooks, wash and dry butter lettuce leaves. Arrange them cup-side-up on a serving platter.
- 5
Mix Greek yogurt with lime juice and a pinch of salt to create a quick lime crema.
- 6
Spoon seasoned turkey mixture into each lettuce cup. Top with diced tomato, a drizzle of lime crema, pickled jalapenos, and fresh cilantro.
- 7
Serve immediately with extra lime wedges on the side.