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Tex-Mex Lettuce Taco Wraps

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lettuce tacos
Wellness Mama » Blog » Recipes » Tex-Mex Lettuce Taco Wraps


Growing up in the south I ate a lot of Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes. I’ve since created quite a few of my own variations on the humble taco. These lettuce tacos are wrapped with butterleaf or romaine lettuce instead of the traditional corn or wheat shell. They’re paleo, low carb, and keto, and make the perfect weeknight meal.

Subbing in Veggies

I’m always trying to find ways to add more vegetables to meals. I also try to replace the unhealthy or nutrient-lacking parts of traditional recipes with healthier, fresher options when possible.

Some of my favorite ways to do this include:

Lettuce Wrap Tacos

Out of all the recipes that use veggies instead of grains or processed ingredients, these lettuce tacos have to be the simplest. It takes a lettuce wraps recipe and combines it with the classic taco.

I actually like the lettuce version better now because it gives them a crunch and coolness you don’t find in a regular tortilla. I grew up in Texas and I love the flavors of Mexican food. This recipe is a great way to get the same flavors without the need for white flour or vegetable oils in the tortillas.

If you don’t love lettuce in tacos and prefer an actual tortilla, I’d recommend these homemade grain-free and gluten-free tortillas. Or convert them into nachos with cassava chips like in this BBQ chicken nachos recipe.

Lettuce Tacos Ingredients

This recipe is super simple and there are lots of substitutions available. Healthy recipes that are also versatile are always my favorite. For the meat portion, you can use ground chicken, ground turkey, or ground beef. Throw in some pinto or black beans if you want.

We use a wide variety of fresh toppings on our tacos, including sour cream, avocado, and fresh tomato. Use whatever you have on hand and what your family prefers. If you’re not a fan of raw onions and peppers on your tacos, then feel free to saute them for a bit.

Try some salsa verde or fermented salsa on top of your lettuce tacos for a tasty kick.

I like to use romaine or butter lettuce for the lettuce cups. They hold up better than iceberg lettuce and offer more nutritional value. Butter lettuce also goes by the name bib lettuce and has large, soft leaves that are slightly sweeter than some varieties. Even though it’s tender, it still holds up pretty well as a lettuce wrap.

I use butter lettuce in these Asian lettuce wraps (like P.F. Chang) and these cashew chicken lettuce wraps.

lettuce tacos

Tex-Mex Lettuce Wrap Tacos

Soft, butter lettuce replaces the traditional tortilla for a cool, grain-free crunchy taco.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Calories 182kcal
Author Katie Wells

Servings

4 lettuce tacos

Equipment

Ingredients

Optional toppings

  • diced tomato
  • salsa
  • diced red onions yellow, or white also work
  • sour cream
  • shredded cheese
  • hot sauce
  • guacamole or diced avocado
  • jalapenos
  • cilantro

Instructions

  • In a large skillet, over medium-high heat brown the meat until cooked.
  • Sprinkle the cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, and salt over the meat and stir well.
  • Cool slightly before scooping the taco filling into the lettuce leaves like you would with taco shells.
  • Top with desired taco toppings.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Tex-Mex Lettuce Wrap Tacos
Amount Per Serving (1 taco)
Calories 182 Calories from Fat 63
% Daily Value*
Fat 7g11%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Trans Fat 0.4g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 3g
Cholesterol 70mg23%
Sodium 407mg18%
Potassium 557mg16%
Carbohydrates 4g1%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 0.4g0%
Protein 26g52%
Vitamin A 1147IU23%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 65mg7%
Iron 6mg33%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Notes

If you have it on hand, you could use 1-2 tablespoons of taco seasoning instead of the listed seasonings. 
(Nutrition info does not include toppings.)

Looking For More Taco Recipes?

Try one of these for your next taco Tuesday night!

Like this recipe? Check out my new cookbook, or get all my recipes (over 500!) in a personalized weekly meal planner here!

Do you use vegetables in place of less healthy parts of a recipe? Share your best substitute below!

Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

8 responses to “Tex-Mex Lettuce Taco Wraps”

  1. Angie Avatar

    Not sure if it’s just me, but the ingredients are listed twice and the instructions are not listed at all. I’m pretty sure I can figure this one out, just wanted to let you know.

  2. Carrie Avatar

    These look delicious! In answer to your question about replacing things with veggies, I throw spaghetti sauce over greenbeans instead of pasta. I also use a peeler to peel zuchinni pasta and make delicious lasagne with it. It tastes just as good as the regular lasagne.

  3. Roseann Avatar

    My teenage son loved these! Shocking considering he is such a picky eater. I made one adjustment to the recipe. Replaced the cumin with 1 tsp onion powder. I confess to make this a home run with my son, I made quesadillas with the filling and finely shredded cheddar. I know using flour tortillas is contrary to your philosophy and I am sorry to disappoint but take heart in knowing that using your recipe, i was able to avoid using El Paso taco flavor packet which has nasty stuff in it (not that I ever used El Paso, but my girlfriend does and when I read the ingredients I said to myself nope, no way)

    Thanks Katie for this recipe!

  4. Charlie Avatar

    I am a vegetarian also eat fish and eggs
    I need new ideas. Been a vegetarian since 1979
    When I saw lettuce tacos i thought it may be something new

    1. jes Avatar

      fish tacos then? or like an egg filling a la breakfast burritos. even some sort of veggie filling with southwestern seasonings.

  5. Stephanie Avatar

    hubby-approved!  This rarely happens at my house.  He actually likes it better than regular tacos!  I feel like doing a celebratory dance all over the kitchen. lol

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