July 3, 2026 · 10 min

Shawarma-Spiced Turkey Lettuce Wraps with Garlic White Sauce

Lunch10 min1559 cal / serving

These shawarma-spiced turkey lettuce wraps are the perfect quick dinner. Fragrant ground turkey is cooked with warm spices, then scooped into crisp lettuce cups and topped with fresh tomato, tangy pickled onions and a creamy lemon-garlic sauce. Crunchy almonds and a drizzle of hot sauce add the finishing touch.

Ready in just 30 minutes, these wraps are light yet satisfying. They’re great for a weeknight meal or a fun appetizer-just keep napkins handy until you master the wrap-eating technique!


Recipe details

Lunch10 min1559 cal / serving2 servings

Nutrition per serving

Calories1559 kcalProtein88.6 gFat110.1 gCarbs50 gSugar34.4 gFiber4.7 gSodium761 mg

Dietary labels

Gluten-free: yesLactose-free: noDairy-free: no

Allergen check

Gluten / wheat: not detectedMilk / dairy: containsEgg: containsFish: not detectedShellfish: not detectedPeanut: not detectedTree nuts: containsSoy: not detectedSesame: not detectedMustard: not detectedCelery: not detectedSulphites: not detectedLupin: not detectedMolluscs: not detected

Values are calculated per serving from ingredient amounts and the ingredient nutrition reference per 100g. Allergen and diet labels use available ingredient metadata and name matching; always check product labels for strict diets or allergies. Some ingredient amounts or nutrition values were incomplete, so this is marked as a partial estimate.


Ingredients

Sour Cream1.5 tablespoon Sour CreamView ingredient guide
Baby Lettuce1 unit Baby LettuceView ingredient guide
Red Onion1 unit Red OnionView ingredient guide
Ground Turkey20 ounce Ground TurkeyView ingredient guide
Lemon2 unit LemonView ingredient guide
Mayonnaise2 tablespoon MayonnaiseView ingredient guide
Tomato1 unit TomatoView ingredient guide
Garlic Powder1 teaspoon Garlic PowderView ingredient guide
Hot Sauce1 teaspoon Hot SauceView ingredient guide
Sliced Almonds0.5 ounce Sliced AlmondsView ingredient guide
Black Pepperteaspoon (tsp) Black PepperView ingredient guide
Sugar0.5 teaspoon (tsp) SugarView ingredient guide
Cooking Oil1 teaspoon (tsp) Cooking OilView ingredient guide
Saltteaspoon (tsp) SaltView ingredient guide

Instructions

  1. Wash and dry produce. Halve, peel and thinly slice half the onion; finely dice remaining half. Quarter lemons. Trim and discard root end from lettuce; separate leaves. Dice tomato.
  2. In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine sliced onion, juice from one lemon, ½ tsp sugar, salt and pepper. (For 4 servings, use juice from two lemons and 1 tsp sugar.) Microwave for 30 seconds; set aside to pickle, stirring occasionally. In a separate small bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, ¾ tsp garlic powder (1½ tsp for 4) and a squeeze of lemon juice. (You’ll use the rest of the garlic powder in the next step.) Season white sauce with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat a drizzle of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and a pinch of salt; cook, stirring, until slightly softened, 2-3 minutes. Add turkey, Shawarma Spice Blend and remaining garlic powder; generously season with salt and pepper. Cook, breaking up meat into pieces, until browned and cooked through, 4-6 minutes. Stir in stock concentrates and ¼ cup water (⅓ cup for 4 servings), then reduce heat to medium low and simmer, scraping up any browned bits from bottom of pan, until slightly thickened, 1-2 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper if desired.
  4. Divide lettuce between plates. Fill with turkey, tomato and as much pickled onion as you like (draining first). Drizzle wraps with white sauce and as much hot sauce as you like; sprinkle with almonds. Serve with any remaining lemon wedges on the side.

Recipe Tips

For extra crunch, toast the sliced almonds in a dry pan over medium heat for 1-2 minutes before sprinkling.

If you prefer a milder flavor, reduce the hot sauce or serve it on the side.

Leftover turkey filling can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated gently.

FAQ

Can I use ground chicken or beef instead of turkey?

Yes, ground chicken or lean ground beef work well as substitutes. Adjust cooking time as needed.

What can I use instead of sour cream?

Greek yogurt is a great substitute for sour cream in the white sauce.

How do I make the pickled onions ahead of time?

The pickled onions can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in the fridge in an airtight container.

DandyRecipes community

Rate and discuss this recipe

Your rating and comments help other DandyRecipes readers decide what to cook next.

Your recipe vote

No DandyRecipes user votes yet.

Recipe comments

0 DandyRecipes comments

No DandyRecipes comments yet.

More recipe ideas

12 similar recipes you might like

These suggestions are based on shared ingredients, meal type, and recipe metadata.