Move over, sad desk salad. We’ve found a brilliant way to keep your lunch low-carb without all the wilted greens. Enter: lettuce wraps. Swaddle any type of protein or vegetable medley with large, sturdy leaves and voila! You’re a wrap star with a nutritious feast in the palm of your hand. Butter lettuce and romaine leaves are ideal, but cabbage and collard greens also work so long as you balance the bitter flavor with a sweet or spicy protein filling. From recipes featuring everything from chicken and black beans to pork and tofu, these 15 lettuce wraps are sure to please every palate.
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Chicken Lettuce Wraps
1. Restaurant-Style Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Keep things classic with a P.F. Chang’s makeover you can whip up in 15 minutes flat. A fast marinade and serving sauce give these babies a double whammy of flavor. Each serving contains 288 calories and 23 grams of protein to keep you energized through the end of your day. Photo and recipe: Lee Hersh / Fit Foodie Finds
2. Peanut Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps
No desire to turn on the oven? This inventive recipe combines Asian-inspired peanut taste with the convenience of store-bought rotisserie chicken. Removing the chicken from the bone will be easiest while it’s still warm, so don’t delay after you get home from the market. Photo and recipe: London / Gluten-Free with L.B.
3. Waldorf Salad Cups
Traditional Waldorf chicken salad sandwiches are usually packed with upwards of 10 grams of fat. Lighten things up by ditching the bread and using Greek yogurt in place of mayo. Each lettuce cup has 80 calories so you can feel OK about enjoying more than one, too. Photo and recipe: Nicole / Brown Sugar
4. Chipotle Chicken Lettuce Wraps
If you’ve got the time, marinating your poultry in this spicy sauce for a few hours will take your lunch to the next level. For a full flavor experience, don’t forget to top the grilled chicken with mango, avocado and onion. Eat it as a midday meal or use this recipe to wow guests at your next BBQ. Photo and recipe: Gaby / What’s Gaby Cooking
5. Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps
With 25 grams of protein and less than 125 calories, these wraps are definitely waistline-friendly. Using your crockpot to prepare the chicken may take awhile, but you’ll have plenty of leftovers to use for lunch all week long. Photo and recipe: Gina / Skinnytaste
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Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps
6. Cabbage Wraps with Spicy Peanut Sauce
Hidden inside these wraps lies crispy tofu and a rainbow of vegetables. Use toothpicks to secure your creations, then dip each bite into a sweet and savory peanut sauce. Keeping things vegan? Omit the honey. Photo and recipe: Sarah Yates / A House in the Hills
7. Mango Tempeh Lettuce Wraps
These vegetarian bites come together quickly, making them a great choice for busy weeknights. Crumbled tempeh pairs nicely with cashews, cucumber and mint for an all-star meal. Make them in 20 minutes and you’ll be feasting before you know it. Photo and recipe: Kiersten / Oh My Veggies
8. Rainbow Collard Greens Wrap
At less than 15 calories a leaf, collard greens are much healthier than your average tortilla. Plus, they are fortified with vitamins A, C and K. Rah-rah, raw foods! Pro tip: Be sure to cut your vegetables into thin strips so they’ll roll up easier. Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life by Daily Burn
9. Black Bean and Walnut Wraps
Even carnivores will love this inventive mix of walnuts, black beans and spice. The brain-shaped nuts are a great source of ALA, a healthy fat linked to a reduced risk of heart disease. Season your “meat” with spices and lime juice, then serve it with guacamole or salsa on the side. Photo and recipe: Becca / Amuse Your Bouche
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10. Avocado Chickpea Lettuce Wraps
With only four no-cook ingredients, these vegan (and gluten-free!) wraps can be ready for noshing the moment hunger strikes. Thanks to the creamy blend of avocado and chickpea, this recipe packs healthy fats and fiber, so you’ll feel full ‘til dinnertime. Photo and recipe: Savanna / Gluten-Free Vegan Pantry
Turkey and Pork Lettuce Wraps
11. Spicy Lettuce Wraps
Like your chow hotter than hot? Add sriracha (or another chili sauce) to this recipe and your taste buds will be in fiery heaven. To keep salt levels in check, opt for low-sodium soy sauce. Photo and recipe: Rachel / Clean Food Crush
12. Lean Turkey Lettuce Wraps
It’s back to basics with this simple lunch. Roll together deli turkey, iceberg lettuce, hummus and cucumber with a dash of paprika for some spice. Sneak some spinach into the middle of your roll-up, if you’re craving extra veggies. Photo and recipe: Sheerluxe
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13. Sweet and Savory Pork Wraps
With plenty of umami flavor to spare, you’ll probably want to hog these wraps all to yourself. To keep things guilt-free, don’t forget to drain the excess fat after browning your ground pork. Enjoy 23 grams of protein and 250 calories per serving. Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life by Daily Burn
14. Pork Lettuce Cups with Cucumber Salsa
To balance the spicy pork in this cup, why not add an easy cuke-based salsa to cool things down? The satisfying crunch might help quash cravings for chips, too. If you’re vegetarian, substitute chopped mushrooms for the meat and you’ll be good to go. Photo and recipe: Alyssa / Alyssa and Carla
15. Banh Mi Lettuce Wraps
Traditional Vietnamese Banh Mi sandwiches usually have processed French baguettes holding the fixings together. Steal those same flavors but ditch the carbs with this genius recipe. Bonus: The quick pickled vegetables will set in the time it takes you to brown your pork. Photo and recipe: Nicole / Cooking for Keeps
Originally posted May 2015. Updated April 2016.