Beef Taco Lettuce Wraps keep taco night simple without losing the parts that actually matter.
The beef cooks in one skillet with chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and oregano, then goes straight into crisp butter lettuce with the usual taco toppings.
This is a High Protein dinner with 30 grams of protein per serving, and the whole recipe takes about 30 minutes. That makes it perfect when dinner needs to happen quickly but a plain bowl of ground beef isn’t very exciting.
Greek yogurt works well in place of sour cream here, and the tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, and lime keep the wraps fresh. Each serving is two lettuce wraps, so they work for lunch too.
Why You’ll Love This Beef Taco Lettuce Wraps Recipe
30 Grams of Protein Per Serving
Each serving has two wraps and about 30 grams of protein, making this a solid High Protein lunch or dinner.
Taco Night in 30 Minutes
The beef only needs about 15 minutes on the stove. Once the toppings are chopped, everything is ready to assemble.
Easy to Adjust
Leave off cilantro, use less onion, or add more Greek yogurt. The toppings are easy to change without affecting the beef mixture.
No Special Equipment
You’ll just need a large skillet, a cutting board and sharp knife take care of the toppings.
Ingredient Substitutions
Ground Turkey
93% lean ground turkey can replace the ground beef. The flavor will be a little lighter, but the same seasonings work well.
Romaine Lettuce
Large romaine leaves can replace butter lettuce if that’s what’s available. Choose the wider inner leaves so they hold the filling better.
Cheddar Cheese
Reduced-fat cheddar can replace the Mexican-blend cheese.
Sour Cream
Light sour cream can replace the Greek yogurt if preferred.
Parsley
Fresh parsley can replace cilantro for anyone who doesn’t care for cilantro.
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RECOMMENDED TOOL FOR THIS RECIPE
Cutting Board with Insert Prep Mats
The color-coded prep mats make it easy to keep meat, vegetables, and other ingredients separate while chopping.
Beef Taco Lettuce Wraps
Recipes are written with one action per step for accessibility. Short lines. Fewer rereads. A calmer kitchen on mobile or desktop.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound 93% lean ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon water
For the Lettuce Wraps:
- 8 large butter lettuce leaves
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- ½ cup shredded reduced-fat Mexican-blend cheese
- ½ cup plain nonfat greek yogurt
- ¼ cup red onion finely diced
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 lime cut into wedges
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the ground beef and yellow onion. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking the beef apart with a wooden spoon, until the beef is browned and fully cooked.
- Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
- Add the garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
- Add the water and stir well.
- Reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, until most of the liquid has evaporated.
- Place 2 lettuce leaves on each serving plate. Divide the beef mixture evenly among the lettuce leaves.
- Top with the tomatoes, cheese, Greek yogurt, red onion, and cilantro. Serve with the lime wedges.
Notes
Tips and Tricks
Keep the lettuce dry – Pat the leaves dry after washing so the wraps don’t become watery. Choose sturdy leaves – Use the largest butter lettuce leaves for easier filling and serving. Double the leaves if needed – Thin or delicate leaves can be stacked two at a time for extra support. Prep toppings ahead – The tomatoes, onion, cilantro, and lime can be prepared earlier in the day and refrigerated.Storing and Reheating
Refrigerator – Store the cooked beef and toppings in separate airtight containers for up to 3 to 4 days. Keep the lettuce separate so it stays crisp. Microwave – Reheat the beef in short intervals until hot, then assemble the wraps with cold lettuce and toppings. Stovetop – Warm the beef in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a small splash of water if it seems dry.Nutrition
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