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These turkey lettuce wraps are an easy way to turn deli turkey into a fresh, high-protein lunch without bread or a tortilla. Here, I’ll show you how to roll them so they stay together and pack them so the lettuce stays crisp until lunchtime.
Turkey Sandwich Lettuce Wrap
My daughter is always coming up with healthy non-sandwich lunch ideas, and these turkey lettuce wraps are one of her favorites when she wants something lighter with plenty of protein.
I usually wash and store lettuce for the week, which makes lunches like this incredibly fast to put together. Add a few sides, and lunch is done in minutes.
How to Make a Lettuce Wrap
- Layer the lettuce
Overlap two large lettuce leaves to make a sturdier base that won’t tear as easily when you roll it. Bibb or Boston lettuce works especially well. If you’re using romaine, leave it open and make lettuce cups instead. - Add the turkey
Add a thin line of mustard or your favorite condiment, if using. Roll two slices of deli turkey together and place them across the center of the lettuce. - Roll it up
Fold the lettuce around the turkey and roll it snugly. Place each wrap fold-side down so it doesn’t open back up. - Pack for lunch
Arrange the wraps snugly inside a hard lunch container with the folded side underneath. Refrigerate until it’s time to pack the lunch bag.
Laura’s School Lunch Packing Tips
I like Bibb or Boston lettuce because the leaves are wide, flexible, and easy to roll. Romaine is crisp but doesn’t bend nearly as well because of the thick center rib, so I use it more like a lettuce cup.
Overlap two leaves instead of relying on one, roll them snugly around the turkey, and place the wraps fold-side down. A container that fits them fairly closely also keeps them from unrolling while they’re being carried around.
Start with lettuce that’s completely dry. Extra water left on the leaves makes them soften much faster. Keep the finished wraps refrigerated and pack them in an insulated lunch bag with an ice pack.
You can, as long as your lettuce is fresh and completely dry. Assemble the wraps, place them in a covered container, and refrigerate overnight. If your lettuce is already starting to soften, I’d wait and assemble them in the morning.
Cheese, avocado, cucumber, or thinly sliced veggies are all good additions. Just keep the filling fairly simple so the lettuce can still wrap around it without tearing. For a more loaded version, try this turkey avocado lettuce wrap.
Since these wraps are on the lighter side, I usually build the rest of the lunch around how hungry the person I’m packing for is. Add fruit, veggies, cheese, crackers, yogurt, or another filling side to make it a complete lunch. They’re also an easy fresh side for a warm thermos lunch, like mac and cheese or lasagna.
More Ways to Make Lunch Easier
If wraps are a regular part of your lunch rotation, here are a few more easy lunches to try.
Deli Turkey Lettuce Wrap
Ingredients
- 4 large Boston bib lettuce leaves
- 2 ounces deli turkey, about 4 slices
- Mustard, optional
Instructions
Assemble:
- Layer one lettuce leaf on top of the other to create a sturdier wrap. If using mustard, squeeze a fine line of mustard in the middle of the lettuce leaves.
- Roll up 2 turkey slices together, beginning on one end into the other. Place each turkey roll in the middle of the lettuce.
- Fold one side of the lettuce over the turkey and then roll it up.
Pack it for lunch:
- Place rolls fold side down inside a lunch container, along with any sides. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Leah says
My middle schoolers loved this lettuce wrap. Such a fun way to use up deli meat, especially when they’re sick of the classic sandwich.