KoreanMedium · Hot
Light and flavorful lettuce cups filled with savory sesame-glazed ground turkey, fresh vegetables, and crunchy sesame seeds. A weeknight-friendly Korean-inspired appetizer or main course.
15 min
20 min
35 min
Method
Separate the lettuce leaves, choosing the largest and most intact cups. Wash thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels. Set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk together sesame oil, soy sauce, and honey until well combined. Set aside.
Mince the garlic cloves. Peel and grate the ginger. Dice the yellow onion. Peel and finely dice the carrot. Slice the scallions, separating the white parts for cooking and green parts for garnish.
Heat a large frying pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it apart with tongs, until browned and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), about 5-7 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to verify doneness.
Pour the sesame glaze over the turkey mixture. Toss everything together until well coated and heated through, about 1-2 minutes.
Remove from heat. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper.
Sprinkle sesame seeds over each lettuce cup.
Garnish with sliced green parts of the scallions.
Serve immediately while warm. Serve extra lettuce leaves on the side for additional wrapping.
Nutri-Score
Excellent balance
A–E · lower is better · score -2
Calories
403
per serving
Protein
36g
Carbs
14g
Fat
22g
Sat. fat
3g
Fiber
3g
Sugar
8g
Sodium
1126mg
Nutri-Score is a general nutritional-balance guide, not medical or dietary advice.
Environmental impact
Moderate impact
A–E · lower is better · includes estimates
kg CO2e
1.3
per serving
Water
0.3m³
Land
38Pt
Runoff
0.1g P
Turkey drives 90% of this recipe’s estimated footprint.
Carbon from Poore & Nemecek 2018; water, land & runoff from Agribalyse — modelled averages for comparing recipes, not a measurement of your groceries.
Flavor Profile
Umami
Sweet
Salty
Sour
Bitter
Spicy
Textures
Aromas
Kitchen Equipment
Primary Tool
WokTechniques
Safety & Storage
Cooking Temperature
Ground turkey must reach 165°F (74°C) internal temperature. Use a meat thermometer to verify doneness before combining with vegetables and glaze.
Cross Contamination
Use separate cutting boards for raw turkey and fresh vegetables. Wash all utensils, tongs, and surfaces that contacted raw poultry with hot soapy water immediately after use.
Handling
Wash hands thoroughly with soap for 20 seconds after handling raw turkey. Avoid touching face, other ingredients, or cookware handles during preparation.
Storage
Refrigerate leftover lettuce cups within 2 hours. Store turkey filling separately from lettuce cups in airtight containers. Consume within 3-4 days.
High Risk Population
For young children, elderly, pregnant individuals, or immunocompromised persons, ensure turkey is cooked to 165°F and consume immediately after preparation to minimize bacterial risk.
Allergen Warning
This dish contains sesame and soy. Verify all condiments and pre-made components (soy sauce, sesame oil) are free from cross-contact with other allergens before use.
Pro Tips
Technique
Don't rush the browning of your turkey — that fond building on the pan is where the flavor lives. Let it sit undisturbed for 30 seconds between stirs, and you'll taste the difference in every bite.
Make Ahead
The sesame glaze keeps beautifully in the fridge for a week, and the turkey filling freezes well for up to two months. Make double batches and transform busy nights into banchan moments.
From the chef
Sesame oil and honey cooked down into a glaze over ground turkey with garlic, ginger, and diced carrot turns a lean protein into something worth gathering around the table for. The beauty of lettuce cups is in the communal assembly — set everything out and let each person load their own, adding extra glaze or a pinch of gochugaru as they go. Toast the sesame seeds before sprinkling; it takes three minutes and the difference in flavor is immediate. A weeknight meal that feels more like a ritual than a chore.
Source: generated · June 10, 2026