These Middle Eastern Lettuce Wraps are a version of the Middle Eastern Burger I posted several years ago. These lettuce wraps are faster, easier, and even healthier than the original burger.
These Middle Eastern Lettuce Wraps are perfect for everyone!
I learned how to make baklava, kibbeh and tabbouleh from my college sweetheart’s mom. Fast forward a few years, and we avoid wheat and gluten, which pretty much knocks out all of those tasty dishes. I decided to come up with a version of the lamb kibbeh I used to love, but gone is the traditional addition of bulgur wheat. We really don’t miss it! Then I went one step further and made it a flexible meal for both Whole30 followers, and those who have no problem eating dairy (or pita bread), since Spencer loves cheese and yogurt!
Put out Tzatziki, tomatoes, olives, onions, and feta cheese. Whole30 followers can omit the dairy and still feel satisfied!
While you can totally use beef or ground turkey, I love the taste of lamb with the warm Middle Eastern spices. Prepare the meat and put out lots of toppings, lettuce leaves, and even pita bread. Everyone can build their own. Sliced onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives and mint leaves are great for the Whole30 gang. While everyone else can add tzatziki, feta, and hummus.
With or without the tzatiki, these Middle Eastern Lettuce Wraps are delicious!
Serve this Quinoa Tabbouleh as a side dish; it’s naturally gluten free, since quinoa replaces the bulgur wheat.
Middle Eastern Lettuce Wraps {Whole30}
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground lamb
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 onions chopped, about 3 cups
- 4 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 Tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground oregano
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large skillet over a medium heat.
- Add onions and cook 2-3 minutes. Add garlic, lamb, and spices. Continuing stirring, breaking up lamb, and cook another 5-7 minutes, or until lamb is nearly done.
- Drain excess fat, if any, add water and continue cooking until water is evaporated and lamb is cooked through, about 4 or 5 minutes.
- Stir in toasted pine nuts and check for seasoning.
- Serve in lettuce wraps with fresh mint leaves, chopped tomatoes, sliced onions and olives.
Notes
- Ground turkey or beef can be used instead of lamb.
Nutrition
These Middle Eastern Lettuce Wraps are a quick and easy meal that will please everyone!
Here are a few items used in this post at no additional cost to you. (affiliate link)
zouhair fiorino najjar says
very delicious recipe…saved and posted to my media..thanks..fiorino
Cynthia says
thank you Zouhair! Much Appreciated!
christina says
These don’t just look good, they sound marvelous, Cynthia! I love lamb, too (honestly, I think a lot of people who say they don’t like lamb have never tasted really good lamb)!
This is the kind of meal that doesn’t feel like you’re eating really healthy! Nice!
Cynthia says
Yep, Spencer doesn’t look at it as “diet” food!
Roxana says
This is just the kind of food I would love to eat. Simple, tasty, easy and healthy.
Cynthia says
Yes to all the above!
Michelle Frank | Flipped-Out Food says
How wonderful to have the input of your sweetheart’s mom for this wonderful Middle Eastern dishes! I am a big fan of taking my favorite burgers and wraps and converting them to lettuce wraps: even though I don’t follow a gluten-free diet, the omission of the extra calories hiding in the bread, pita, or tortilla helps me keep my girlish figure. 😉 I love the flavor and texture profile of this dish. Thanks for sharing!
Cynthia says
I think a lot of people are ditching the bread when they don’t miss it for that reason!
Lauren says
I’ve worked with lamb only a handful of times. These wraps look lovely. I’m glad you found a way to still enjoy those family classics.
Cynthia says
I think I love lamb more than beef! Since I have a husband who loves dairy, I’ve learned how to adapt!
Jagruti says
Middle eastern flavours are to die for..so much warmth and flavours here.
Cynthia says
I agree! So much flavor!
Ayngelina says
I’m not on whole 30 but I love this meal – you can’t go wrong with tzatziki
Cynthia says
It’s healthy and delicious, no matter how you have it!
Agness of Run Agness Run says
I love easy and tasty recipes like these wraps, Cynthia! What is baklava? It sounds like something I’d love to try!
Cynthia says
Oh, Agness, you must seek out some baklava! It’s layers of filo dough brushed with a honey syrup, and butter then layered with nuts, usually walnuts!
Danielle says
How wonderful! I’m actually writing up a recipe for Asian style chicken lettuce wraps as we speak. I love the Middle Eastern spin on these. How creative!
Caroline Cynova says
i made these wraps recently, and they were delicious! Now, I cannot say that all of my six children liked the lamb, but most ate it well, and my husband, who eats gluten-free, enjoyed it too. What really shocked me was my 5-yr-old son–He devoured three whole servings (and on lettuce). Even his third serving he was shoveling into his mouth like there was no tomorrow!
Cynthia says
so nice to hear! I’d love it if you could also give the recipe a star rating! Much appreciated!