Taco Lettuce Wraps

Taco lettuce wraps recipe with Mexican taco toppings and taco filling choices for low-carb tacos with meat, seafood, or healthy vegan tacos!

These low-carb lettuce tacos are a healthy alternative to traditional tacos and perfect if you are diabetic or following a gluten-free or keto diet. Lettuce makes a wonderful low-calorie and low-carb substitute for tortillas, filled with the taco fillings and toppings of your choice. I have included lots of options to choose from, so take your pick! 

This easy lettuce wrap recipe is great for meal prep since you can make many components in advance, then make it during the week whenever you need an easy, low-carb meal or snack. For a family gathering, make multiple recipes from the list to make a taco bar. I have also included several Mexican side dishes to complete your meal. Celebrating Cinco de Mayo or having a fun Mexican fiesta? Try making this Cancun Beach Cocktail, the recipe is from my favorite bartender in Mexico. 

The Mexican lettuce wraps in the picture are filled with Chipotle Sofritas, a plant-based protein for tacos, but I have listed more taco filling options below that are super yummy!

Best Lettuce for Taco Lettuce Wraps

To use lettuce instead of a tortilla, pick the best lettuce for taco lettuce wraps. First, choose what type of tacos you want to make. Do you want to make soft tacos or crunchy tacos? Do you prefer soft tortillas or hard shell tacos? I use butter lettuce and romaine lettuce to make my tacos. I always try to get the biggest lettuce leaves that I can find since I like to make loaded tacos! The lettuce featured in the pictures is butter lettuce, but I use romaine hearts to make tacos more often. 

Butter Lettuce: Also called Boston or bibb lettuce. Butter lettuce is a good choice to replace soft tortillas for soft tacos, and large butter lettuce leaves can hold a good amount of filling without easily tearing.

Romaine Lettuce Hearts: Romaine hearts are crisp and crunchy, making them a good substitute for crunchy tacos. The large romaine leaves are a great base to hold lots of taco fillings, especially when doubled up. Romaine is my favorite since I love lots of toppings and the crunch!

Taco Filling

Pick your choice of fillings to create your tacos. This lettuce taco recipe includes several taco filling options to make low-carb tacos with your choice of protein and taco toppings. 

Meat and Seafood Taco Filling

There are several taco filling options to make meat tacos or seafood tacos.

• Cajun Shrimp Tacos
• Ground Turkey Tacos
• Hawaiian Chicken Tacos
• Pork Carnitas Tacos
• Shredded Chicken Tacos
• Shrimp Fajita Tacos

Vegan Taco Filling

Here are a few vegan taco filling options to make healthy vegan tacos.

• Chipotle Cauliflower Tacos
• Crispy Baked Tofu Tacos
• Sofritas Tofu Tacos
• Sweet Potato Tacos

Taco Toppings

These taco toppings and taco sauce can be added to the taco lettuce wraps or served on the side. Choose your taco toppings and sides based on the taco filling you used. Make as many as you want and load up your tacos!

• Chili Lime Pepitas: These tasty pumpkin seeds add healthy plant-based protein, flavor, and crunch!
• Chipotle Corn Salsa: This is great as a topping or on the side with chips.
• Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice: A delicious taco topping or side dish, 
• Cilantro Lime Crema: You can also use a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream.
• Creamy Avocado Dip: Diced avocados or guacamole are other great additions.
• Fiesta Lime Coleslaw: This creamy cilantro lime slaw makes a delicious taco topping or side dish!
• Pepita Chimichurri: A protein-packed sauce for tacos that is healthy and super yummy!
• Restaurant Style Salsa: This is great as a topping or on the side with chips.
• Sofrito Rojo: Another great taco sauce!
• Spanish Style Cauliflower Rice: Another delicious taco filling or side dish. 
• Cheese: Mexican cheeses like cotija, manchego, chihuahua, or any other cheese you want to add.
• Fresh Cilantro: I love adding fresh chopped cilantro to tacos!

How to Make Taco Lettuce Wraps

To make taco lettuce wraps, make the taco filling and taco toppings of your choice first. See the lists in the note section for a variety of taco fillings and toppings to choose from.

Rinse and dry the lettuce leaves of choice, as many as you want.

Once your taco fillings and toppings are ready, lay the lettuce leaves on a plate or serving platter. I recommend doubling the lettuce leaves to make a sturdy taco that will hold more filling. Spoon your choice of taco fillings into the lettuce leaves. Serve with your choice of taco toppings and/or taco sauce and enjoy!

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