Name: Beef Taco Lettuce Wraps - Light, Healthy Take on a Traditional Taco
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: ⅓ cup of reduced-fat cheddar cheese; ⅓ cup of red onions, finely sliced; ⅓ cup of avocados, diced; ⅓ cup of sweet peppers, diced; 2 tablespoons of cilantro, finely chopped; 6 tablespoons of light sour cream; 1 tablespoon of olive oil; ¾ cup of yellow onion, chopped; 1 pound of lean ground beef; 2 cloves of garlic, minced; Kosher salt and freshly ground cracked black pepper to taste; 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning; ½ cup of diced tomatoes; ½ cup of beef broth; 12 Romaine lettuce leaves, doubled up, for serving

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If you’re craving tacos but want a lighter, low-carb option, these taco lettuce wraps are the perfect solution.

Made with crisp lettuce instead of tortillas, these lettuce-wrapped tacos are a healthy twist on a classic Mexican favorite. The ground beef is seasoned with a simple homemade taco spice mix, giving each bite plenty of flavor without being overpowering.

Whether you’re making healthy beef taco lettuce wraps for a quick weeknight dinner or as easy appetizers for your next gathering with friends, you’ll love that these wraps come together in less than 30 minutes.

Why you’ll love these taco lettuce wraps

These healthy lettuce tacos are a fresh, flavorful alternative to traditional tacos, perfect for anyone who wants to enjoy a satisfying meal without the extra carbs.
Using crisp lettuce to hold a spiced beef filling makes this easy taco recipe both quick and nutritious. This ground beef lettuce tacos recipe is ideal for busy weeknights or a fun taco night with family.
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Ingredients for the taco lettuce wraps recipe

To make these ground beef lettuce tacos, you’ll need the following ingredients

1 tablespoon of olive oil
¾ cup of yellow onion, chopped
1 pound of lean ground beef
2 cloves of garlic, minced
Kosher salt and freshly ground cracked black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons of taco seasoning (see my homemade taco seasoning blend below)
½ cup of diced tomatoes
½ cup of beef broth
12 Romaine lettuce leaves, doubled up, for serving

Note: Other lettuce styles also work in these tacos. See my note below the list of ingredients to discover what type of lettuce works best and what to avoid.

Optional toppings:

⅓ cup of reduced-fat cheddar cheese
⅓ cup of red onions, finely sliced
⅓ cup of avocados, diced
⅓ cup of sweet peppers, diced
2 tablespoons of cilantro, finely chopped
6 tablespoons of light sour cream

Best lettuce for tacos (what works best)

Romaine lettuce is the best lettuce for taco wraps because its long, sturdy leaves hold fillings well without tearing. Butter lettuce works for softer wraps, while iceberg adds crunch but is less ideal for wrapping.

The right choice for you depends on your preferred texture, but some varieties hold fillings more effectively than others.

Romaine lettuce (best for wraps)

In my opinion, the best lettuce for taco wraps is romaine lettuce (also called cos lettuce). It has long, sturdy leaves that form an elongated head, making it ideal for holding taco fillings without falling apart.

The leaves are naturally crisp and strong, so they won’t tear easily when filled with seasoned ground beef. They also fit nicely into a serving dish, making them perfect for taco night.

For best results, use the inner leaves, as they are more flexible and hold their shape better than the outer ones.

Butter lettuce (soft taco style)

Butter lettuce, such as Bibb or Boston lettuce, has soft, flexible leaves that work well for a more delicate wrap. These leaves are naturally cup-shaped, making them great for smaller, handheld tacos.

Keep in mind they are smaller and more tender than romaine, so they may not hold as much filling.

Iceberg lettuce (crunchy option)

Iceberg lettuce is a good choice if you love extra crunch. While it doesn’t form long wrap-style leaves like romaine, you can use larger outer leaves or stack pieces together for a crisp taco base.

It’s refreshing and sturdy, but slightly less convenient for wrapping.

What lettuce to avoid

Lettuces with loose or thin leaves (such as spring mix or delicate greens) don’t work well for taco wraps. They tend to tear easily and won’t support the weight of heavier fillings such as ground beef.

Whole leaves or chopped lettuce?

For taco lettuce wraps, always use whole leaves rather than chopped lettuce. Whole leaves act like a tortilla substitute, while chopped lettuce is better suited for taco salads.

How to make taco lettuce wraps

This recipe could not be easier to make. It’s on the table in about 20 minutes!

Make the taco seasoning

This lettuce taco recipe calls for taco seasoning. You can use store-bought, but it’s easy and cheaper to make your own. You’ll need these spices:

2 tablespoons of Mexican-style chili powder
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
1 teaspoon of onion flakes
1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper
1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano
1 teaspoon of ground paprika
1 tablespoon of ground cumin
1 teaspoon of Kosher salt
1 teaspoon of cracked black pepper

Combine the spices in a bowl and mix well. It’ll make a little over twice as much as you need for the romaine lettuce tacos; store the extra in a glass jar and use it to make stuffed taco shells!

Cook the onion and ground beef

Heat the olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the onion and sauté for 2 minutes.
Stir in the ground beef and garlic, and add the salt and pepper.
Cook, breaking up the beef occasionally, until the beef is no longer pink – about 5 minutes.
Mix in the taco seasoning, tomatoes, and chicken broth.
Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes until the sauce has reduced.

Fill the lettuce-wrapped tacos

Spoon the mixture into lettuce leaves and top with your favorite taco toppings.

One of my favorite things about these lettuce tacos is that the fillings really are up to you. Just about everything you can add to a taco is somewhat healthy.

Feeling like extra fiber? Add some black beans.
Want more healthy fats? Add some chopped-up avocados.
A reduced-fat cheese, such as Cabot reduced-fat cheddar, lightens the calories without sacrificing taste.
Corn and cucumbers add a Mediterranean flair to the tacos.

And of course, lettuce, tomatoes, and chopped sweet peppers all add a wonderful bit of healthy carbs as well as loads of color.

Tips for the best lettuce wrap tacos

For the best lettuce wrap taco recipe, keep in mind that lettuce leaves are not as sturdy as tortilla shells. These tips will ensure success:

Use two leaves for each taco to ensure they will hold up to the fillings.
Be sure the meat mixture is not too liquid. Cook long enough until most of the moisture is absorbed.
Allow the filling to cool slightly before adding it to the lettuce.
Parchment paper wrapped around the bottom third of the lettuce taco will keep the toppings in and prevent a messy taco.

Why these ground beef tacos are healthy

Making tacos with lettuce instead of tortillas is a smart choice in many ways.
These healthy ground beef lettuce wraps are lighter in calories, fat, and carbohydrates compared to a traditional beef taco.

The beef taco lettuce wrap calories are 325 compared to 500 for a regular taco.
They contain 11 grams of fat, compared to 30.
Lettuce wrap tacos have slightly more protein and slightly less sugar.
The biggest savings are in carbohydrates. You’ll save about 20 grams of carbs by using lettuce.

More taco-inspired recipes to try

If you love the flavors in these taco lettuce wraps, here are a few more easy taco-inspired meals to add to your dinner rotation:

Taco wraps – Spicy Mexican tortilla cheeseburger wrap recipe
A heartier option made with tortillas, seasoned beef, and melty cheese for a bold, satisfying meal.
30-minute easy taco melts – A quick taco biscuit dough recipe
Quick and comforting, these taco melts use flaky biscuits and a savory beef filling for an easy weeknight dinner.
Taco-stuffed pasta shells – A cheesy Mexican main course
Jumbo pasta shells stuffed with taco-seasoned beef and cheese, baked until bubbly and delicious.

Share this recipe for Mexican lettuce wraps on X

If you enjoyed this ground beef lettuce wraps healthy recipe, be sure to share it with a friend. Here is a post to get you started:

🌮✨ Skip the tortillas and keep all the flavor! These taco lettuce wraps are low-carb, high-protein, and ready in just 30 minutes 🥗🔥 Plus - learn the best lettuce for tacos for the perfect crunch! #TacoTuesday #LowCarbMeals… Share on X

Pin this post for beef taco lettuce wraps

Would you like a reminder of this recipe for Mexican lettuce wraps? Just pin this image to one of your cooking boards on Pinterest so that you can easily find it later.

Admin note: This lettuce-wrapped tacos recipe first appeared on the blog in September 2015. This post has been updated with photos, a printable recipe card, and a slideshow video.

Yield: 6 taco beef lettuce wraps

Beef Taco Lettuce Wraps - Light, Healthy Take on a Traditional Taco

These healthy beef lettuce wraps are easy to prepare and offer a low-carb twist on traditional beef tacos.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

1 tablespoon of olive oil
¾ cup of yellow onion, chopped
1 pound of lean ground beef
2 cloves of garlic, minced
Kosher salt and freshly ground cracked black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons of taco seasoning
½ cup of diced tomatoes
½ cup of beef broth
12 Romaine lettuce leaves, doubled up, for serving

Optional toppings

⅓ cup of reduced-fat cheddar cheese
⅓ cup of red onions, finely sliced
⅓ cup of avocados, diced
⅓ cup of sweet peppers, diced
2 tablespoons of cilantro, finely chopped
6 tablespoons of light sour cream

Instructions

Heat the olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the onion and sauté for 2 minutes.
Stir in the ground beef and garlic, and add the salt and pepper.
Cook, breaking up the beef occasionally, until the beef is no longer pink - about 5 minutes.
Mix in the taco seasoning, tomatoes, and chicken broth.
Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes until the sauce has reduced.
Spoon the mixture into lettuce leaves and top with your favorite taco toppings.

Notes

Optional toppings: Shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese, diced tomatoes, diced red onion, diced avocado, sweet peppers, chopped cilantro, light sour cream, for serving.

Calories in the nutritional info are for the taco wraps with beef. Your toppings will add extra calories.

Healthy Taco Lettuce Wraps (Best Lettuce + Ground Beef Recipe)

Why you’ll love these taco lettuce wraps