Beef Free Cilantro-Lime Lettuce Cup Bites
These bright, handheld bites are the kind of thing that disappears from the platter before you even sit down. Ground turkey gets cooked down with garlic, ginger, and a hit of coconut aminos until it's deeply savory and glazed, then tucked into crisp butter lettuce cups for a fresh, satisfying contrast. Shredded carrots add a little sweetness and body to the filling, while lime juice, lime zest, and a pinch of turmeric keep every bite lively and aromatic. The whole thing finishes with a shower of fresh cilantro and scallions, so the flavors feel vibrant right up until the last cup is gone. Because the recipe leans on turkey and pantry-friendly ingredients like coconut aminos and coconut oil, there's no beef anywhere in the dish — no swaps needed, no label-reading required. These work beautifully as a light weeknight dinner or as a crowd-pleasing appetizer when you want something that looks impressive but comes together in a single skillet.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the lettuce cups
- 1 head butter lettuce, leaves separated and trimmed into cups
For the filling
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 2 medium carrots, finely shredded
- 3 tbsp coconut aminos
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
- 1 tsp lime zest
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp salt, plus more to taste
For serving
- ½ cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
- 3 scallions, thinly sliced
- 1 lime, cut into wedges (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Separate the butter lettuce into individual leaves and trim the base of each to form a cup shape. Arrange 12 of the best-formed cups on a large serving platter and set aside.
- 2
Heat the coconut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the garlic and ginger and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute — watch closely so the garlic does not brown.
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