Keto Lettuce Wraps –Well, Thanksgiving and Christmas have come and gone. Did you overindulge? I sure did! Now I’m ready for something light, something a little refreshing.
These quick and easy keto chicken lettuce wraps are just the thing. They’re so good every single time I just want to keep making them again and again!
Though we haven’t been eating out during all this pandemic madness, sometimes I still crave my favorite restaurant dishes. Fortunately I like to cook!
After these belly bursting holidays, those delicious PF Chang lettuce wraps came drifting into my mind. Perfect low carb dinner contender! Plus, they’re a fun meal, so your kids won’t complain about eating light. 😉
But Are Lettuce Wraps Low Carb?
According to the PF Chang website nutritional info, their original lettuce wraps are pretty loaded with carbs. That’s a bit much for my after-holiday goals.
Today I’m going to make a few sauce and veggie substitutions for a keto bomb, with only 5 grams of net carbs per serving!
What Kind of Meat to Use?
Traditionally, these wraps are made with ground chicken, which I am using today. I have tried them with ground pork and beef also and they are equally delicious. Use whatever is on hand.
Or, try finely diced chicken. You can also make a great meatless Monday option with cauliflower or mushrooms.
Ingredients Needed
- Ground Chicken – A lean, protein-rich meat that’s perfect for a lighter meal.
- Oil – Any neutral-flavored oil will work.
- Yellow Onion, Garlic, and Ginger – These are your flavor backbone. Always opt for fresh to get the most aromatic experience out of these ingredients.
- Mushrooms – Not just a filler; mushrooms add an earthy flavor that pairs exceptionally well with chicken. Feel free to use your favorite type. Shiitake, portobello, or even button mushrooms will work wonders.
- Red Bell Pepper – Adds color and a sweet, subtle crunch. If you’re in a spicy mood, swap it for a finely chopped jalapeño.
- Sesame Oil – This oil adds that classic Asian aroma. A little goes a long way, so no need to overdo it.
- Tamari Sauce – This gluten-free alternative to soy sauce brings that indispensable umami touch. If you’re not on a strict keto diet, regular soy sauce will work too.
- White Vinegar – Cuts through the richness and balances out flavors. Apple cider vinegar could be a great alternative for a milder tang.
- Monk Fruit Sweetener – Optional but recommended if you like a touch of sweetness. It’s keto-friendly and doesn’t spike your blood sugar levels.
- Chili Garlic Sauce – Your ticket to spice town. Adjust according to your heat tolerance.
- Cilantro and Green Onions – Fresh herbs to give that final, fragrant lift. Don’t skip these; they make all the difference.
- Boston or Butter Lettuce – These varieties are soft yet sturdy, perfect for holding all the delicious filling without falling apart.
Keto Lettuce Wraps Recipe
I start by giving the onion a quick sauté until it turns nice and translucent. Then, I add the chicken and let it cook for a few minutes, stirring it around.
Next, I throw in the veggies, aromatics, and sauces, letting everything simmer together until the chicken is fully cooked.
Once that’s done, I sprinkle some fresh cilantro and green onions on top for garnish. Finally, I scoop the mixture into lettuce leaves and that’s it, DONE!
Alpana’s Tips
- Meat Choice: While ground chicken is lean and absorbs flavors well, using dark meat like ground chicken thighs can add extra juiciness and flavor.
- Sautéing Technique: I always make sure my wok or pan is hot before adding oil. This way, the ingredients sauté instead of steaming, which keeps the textures nice and crisp while concentrating all the flavors.
- Ingredient Prep: I like to finely chop ginger and garlic to really bring out their flavor while cooking. When everything’s chopped evenly, it cooks more consistently and turns out better.
- Veggie Crunch: I always add bell peppers and mushrooms towards the end of cooking to keep them crisp. If they cook too long, they can get soggy, so this helps them stay nice and firm.
- Lettuce Selection: While Boston or butter lettuce are recommended, iceberg or romaine can also work if you’re looking for a more substantial crunch.
- Keto Substitutions: If you want to diversify the flavors while staying keto, consider sugar-free alternatives like keto teriyaki or sriracha sauce for a different kick.
- Serving Style: Serve the lettuce wraps with small bowls of extra tamari, chili garlic sauce, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. This allows everyone to customize their wraps to their liking.
Storage and Leftovers
This is a wonderful meal prep option. Sometimes I double the recipe and have easy lunches or dinners for days. Just refrigerate cooked meat mixture in an airtight container for up to four days.
When the craving hits, just take out however much you want and re heat on stovetop or in the microwave, then get wrapping!
Other options for the leftover meat mixture: have it over cauliflower rice or use it in stuffed zucchini! 🙂
Variations
- Swap the meat: As stated above, this is great with any type of ground meat or finely diced chicken.
- Give it some heat: If I want to spice things up, I add some sriracha, red chili flakes, or even gochujang for a Korean twist.
- Thai-Inspired: I like adding a spoonful of peanut or almond butter to the mix, then garnish with fresh basil and a squeeze of lime for a Thai vibe.
- Tex-Mex Flair: I season the meat with taco spices and top it with diced avocado, fresh cilantro, and shredded cheddar for a Tex-Mex version.
- Extra Crunch: For a bit of texture, I sprinkle crushed peanuts or cashews on top to add some crunch.
Well, my friends, enjoy something a little lighter after all that ham and turkey. My addicting little keto lettuce wraps may be your new best friend. Let me know how you like them, I love feedback!
Keto Lettuce Wraps, on our Gypsy Plate… enjoy!
Try these other great low carb dinner options!
Marry Me Chicken
Keto Zuppa Toscana
Mediterranean Fish with Tapenade
Shrimp Remoulade Lettuce Cups
Country Style Beef Ribs
Creamy Lemon Chicken
Egg Roll in a Bowl
Peri Peri Chicken
Camarones a la Diabola
Keto Lettuce Wraps (PF Chang Inspired)
These super tasty Keto Lettuce Wraps are a great low carb light, meal. Plus, they're super quick and easy. Perfect weeknight option!
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 Tbsp oil
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1 Tbsp ginger, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 4 oz mushrooms, chopped
- 1/2 red bell pepper, julienne cut
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 2-3 Tbsp tamari sauce
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- 1 tsp monk fruit sweetener (optional)
- 1 Tbsp chili garlic sauce
- 2 Tbsp cilantro, chopped
- 4 green onions, chopped green and white part separately
- 1 head Boston or butter lettuce
Instructions
- Heat oil in wok over medium high heat. Add in onions along with white part of green onions. Sauté till translucent. Add chicken, break up and sauté for 5 minutes. Stir in mushrooms, bell pepper, garlic, ginger along with tamari sauce, vinegar, monk fruit sweetener and chili garlic sauce. Cook till chicken is fully cooked. Stir in green part of the green onions and cilantro.
- Separate the lettuce leaves from the head. Scoop generous amounts of chicken mixture into the lettuce leaf boats and enjoy.
Notes
- You can follow the same recipe with other ground meat like beef and pork.
- Experiment with other Asian sauces and chili paste that are keto friendly.
- Leftover meat mixture can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to four days.
Nutrition Information
Yield 4 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 318Total Fat 20gSaturated Fat 4gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 14gCholesterol 121mgSodium 1669mgCarbohydrates 7gFiber 2gSugar 3gProtein 31g
Nutrition information calculated by Nutritionix.
Welcome to GypsyPlate! I'm Alpana, former wordwide tour manager and professional caterer, now full time blogger. I love exploring cuisines from around the world, and my recipes have been featured on sites such as MSN, Parade, Brit + Co, CNET and AOL. You can explore my entire collection of sortable recipes in my Recipe Index or learn more about me here.
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Made this today with ground Turkey. Otherwise made it exactly as directed. It was so awesome. I think it is even better than PF Changs. .
Glad you enjoyed, Debra!