Easy Asian Turkey Burgers in Lettuce Wraps
Last updated on July 24th, 2025
Asian Turkey Burgers in Lettuce Wraps are low-carb, gluten-free and infused with flavourful ingredients you may already have at home. Satisfy a burger bun craving and pan-sear the Asian Turkey burgers in 20 minutes for a charred, sweet coating, then serve them in a crispy lettuce bun to keep the carbs at bay.
Asian Turkey Burgers in Lettuce Wraps
Nothing is more satisfying than quickly pan-frying fresh Asian Turkey Burgers from scratch with ingredients I already have at home. AND…it’s even better when the lettuce, which typically goes inside a burger, becomes the actual bun encasing these delicious burgers. These burgers pair well with Crunchy Keto Red Cabbage Coleslaw for a filling meal.
I can put my hands on deck with these lettuce-wrapped turkey burgers and enjoy a good, solid bite. Yep, the lettuce bun idea is real, and it works!
Let’s talk about the turkey burgers for a minute.
These Asian Turkey Burgers are infused with flavourful Thai, Korean, and Chinese ingredients that you may already have in your pantry or can easily purchase from your local grocery store. Moreover, no special ingredients, such as gochujang or kimchi (Korean) or Sichuan peppercorns (Chinese), are needed to spice up ground turkey into tasty Asian-style burgers.
Furthermore, these Asian Turkey Burgers are easy to make and taste great, especially when paired with my Crunchy Red Cabbage Coleslaw, for a perfect weeknight meal. In fact, I often double the recipe to purposely have leftovers for lunch, or I meal prep the burgers and freeze them.
Why you’ll love Asian Turkey Burgers in Lettuce Wraps
- These Asian Turkey Burgers in Lettuce Wraps are meaty and bursting with vibrant flavours that truly elevate a traditional burger. Not only are they satisfying, but they also eliminate the need for burger buns, allowing you to enjoy a filling meal without the carb overload.
- Additionally, all the flavour is packed into the burger itself, so you don’t need to rely on many fillers. They’re also low-carb and keto-friendly, making them a perfect fit for anyone watching their carbohydrate intake.
- Moreover, these wraps are completely gluten-free, as they contain no binding ingredients such as breadcrumbs or eggs.
- Cooking them is a breeze; you can quickly pan-fry them to achieve a delicious seared crust that’s easy to coat with hoisin sauce.
- Ultimately, these wraps offer a delightful way to enjoy a burger without the unnecessary carbs, allowing you to savour every bite without the heaviness of bread getting in the way.
Ingredient Notes for Asian Turkey Burgers in Lettuce Wraps
Turkey Burger Ingredients
- Ground Turkey – Use good-quality ground turkey that is not too lean for this recipe.
- Almond Flour – optional, but it can help bind the meat so that it doesn’t come apart while cooking.
- Red Onion – Finely diced.
- Green Onions – Roughly chopped, as it’s nice to see specks of colour in the burger.
- Cilantro – Finely chopped.
- Garlic Cloves – Crushed or minced.
- Sweet Thai Chilli Sauce – Any store-bought sauce is okay to use, as only a small amount is needed. Refer to the recipe card below for a sugar-free option.
- Ponzu Sauce – Look for this in the aisles dedicated to Asian cuisine.
- Sesame Oil – Optional, but adds flavour.
- Chilli Flakes – Optional, and add your desired amount.
- Soya Sauce – Adds colour and flavour.
- Salt & Pepper – Adjust to your desired taste.
Oils & Basting Sauce
- Avocado oil – Or any cooking oil for pan-searing the burgers.
- Hoisin Sauce – Look for this in the aisles dedicated to Asian cuisine. It’s like a Chinese BBQ sauce and tastes delicious when brushed over the burgers.
Lettuce Wraps & Coleslaw
- Iceberg Lettuce – Outer leaves removed and cut into quarters from the stem end to the top end.
- Crunchy Keto Red Cabbage Coleslaw – or any low-carb coleslaw.
How to Make Asian Turkey Burgers
1) Mix all the turkey burger ingredients (except the hoisin sauce) in a mixing bowl by hand or using an electric mixer. Occasionally, I prefer to use my KitchenAid stand mixer for this, as it’s super easy and less messy.
2) Divide the mixture into four and make four patties about 1/2 inch thick. Alternatively, use a burger maker to make 1/4-pounder-size burgers.
3) Heat 1-2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet or pan on medium heat. Then, carefully place the burgers in the pan and sear them until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes on each side. In fact, I highly recommend resisting the urge to fiddle with them and letting them develop a good crust before flipping.
4) Next, add a couple of teaspoons of hoisin sauce over each burger and brush the surface to coat. Then, flip them over and cook that side for a few minutes. Add more hoisin sauce on the flipped side and cook again until charred. It happens quite quickly, so you may need to lower the heat a bit. Place each burger over cucumber slices on a bed of lettuce, top with sweet Thai chilli sauce and coleslaw.
What’s the best lettuce to use for Asian Turkey Burgers?
- Iceberg Lettuce – Cut the whole lettuce into quarters and remove a few outer leaves. Top a burger with one quarter, add your fillings, and top with another lettuce quarter.
- Butter Lettuce – Hard to find, but it’s soft and pliable, perfect for wrapping burgers.
- Green or Red Leaf Lettuce – Cut about a quarter of a piece off each leaf at the thick stem end and use the soft, leafy parts to wrap the burgers.
- Romaine Lettuce – Fold a piece of lettuce along the stem, then use a knife to slice a portion of the thick stem at an angle, leaving the leafy part intact to wrap around the burger.
Low-Carb Alternatives to Lettuce Wraps
- Cauliflower rice – for a larb recipe or poke bowl, without any grains.
- Meatballs with Low-Carb Asian Dip – Form the meat into meatballs and serve with a spicy dip.
- Portobello mushroom caps – Grill portobello mushrooms and use them as burger buns instead.
- Low-carb burger buns – Keto burger buns are slowly becoming available in stores; check your local grocery store or specialty shop.
Topping Suggestions for Asian Turkey Burgers
You might like these burgers topped with melted or Caramelized Onions, OR both! Everyone has a favourite. Here are some of my other favourite toppings:
- Cucumbers
- Onions
- Coleslaw
- Shredded lettuce
- Pickles
- Grilled Veggies
- Jalapenos
- Beefsteak tomatoes
- Fried Egg
- Avocadoes
Ways to Flavour Turkey Burgers
Spices
Tex-Mex – add cumin, paprika, jalepenos.
Indian – add cumin, garam masala, turmeric, and chilli powder.
Shawarma – add cumin, sumac, ginger and garlic.
Greek – add oregano and feta cheese.
Sauces
Mayonnaise – Sometimes this does the trick without fuss.
Ponzu Mayo – Add Ponzu sauce to the Mayo for a little tangy kick.
Sriracha Mayo – Add a little spice to mayo for a kick!
Yogurt cucumber – skip the mayo and make yogurt and cucumber (raita) instead.
How to Store and Freeze the Burgers
Storage:
Prepared turkey burgers can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Alternatively, refrigerate mixed and uncooked turkey burger meat (or divided burgers) in an airtight container for 2 days. In fact, as a quick tip, form the meat into burgers, then place them between layers of wax paper to maintain their shape.
Freezer:
Place cooked burgers in layers of wax paper inside a freezer-proof container and freeze for up to 1 month. However, uncooked burgers can be layered on wax paper and frozen for up to 3 months.
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Asian Turkey Burger Lettuce Wraps Recipe Card
Ingredients
Burger Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Turkey 450g
- ¼ cup Red Onion – diced
- 4 tbsp Almond Flour
- 3 Green Onions finely chopped
- 2 Garlic Cloves crushed
- 1 tbsp Cilantro finely chopped
- 2 tsp Sweet Thai Chilli Sauce or homemade recipe below
- 1 tbsp Ponzu Sauce
- 2 tsp Sesame Oil
- 1 tsp Chilli Flakes optional
- 2 tsp Soya Sauce
- ¼ tsp Salt
- ¼ tsp Pepper
For the wraps
- 2 Iceberg Lettuce cut into quarters, outer leaves removed.
- Low-Carb Coleslaw Recipe in Post
- Cucumber Slices
Oils & Basting Sauce
- 1 tbsp Avocado oil
- 2 tbsp Hoisin Sauce – for brushing over the burgers towards the end of cooking
Sweet Thai Chilli Sauce (Sugar-free)
- ½ cup rice vinegar
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup Golden Monk fruit Sweetener
- 3 tsp crushed pepper flakes
- 1 tsp xanthan gum
Instructions
To Make the Burgers
- Mix all the turkey burger ingredients (except the hoisin sauce) in a mixing bowl by hand or using an electric mixer. Occasionally, I prefer to use my KitchenAid stand mixer for this, as it’s super easy and less messy.
- Divide the mixture into four and make four patties about 1/2 inch thick. Alternatively, use a burger maker to make 1/4-pounder-size burgers.
- Heat 1-2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet or pan on medium heat. Then, carefully place the burgers in the pan and sear them until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes on each side. In fact, I highly recommend resisting the urge to fiddle with them and letting them develop a good crust before flipping.
- Next, add a couple of teaspoons of hoisin sauce over each burger and brush the surface to coat. Then, flip them over and cook that side for a few minutes. Add more hoisin sauce on the flipped side and cook again until charred. It happens quite quickly, so you may need to lower the heat a bit. Serve inside lettuce wraps or ‘buns’.
- Place each burger over cucumber slices on a bed of lettuce, top with sweet Thai chilli sauce and coleslaw.
Homemade Sweet Thai Chilli Sauce
- Combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and stir continuously until the sauce has thickened. Remove from heat and let it cool.