Name: Easy Lettuce Wraps: The Cheeseburger Remix You'll Love
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey for turkey lettuce wraps); 1 small yellow onion, diced; 1 red bell pepper, diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon tomato paste; 1 teaspoon chili powder; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika; Salt and freshly ground black pepper; 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese; 1/4 cup pickled jalapeños (optional, but recommended!); 1/4 cup sour cream; 8-10 large, crisp Romaine lettuce leaves (the perfect vessel for Romaine lettuce wraps); 1 large tomato, diced; 1/2 cup shredded iceberg lettuce (for extra crunch, like a BLT lettuce wrap)

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Let’s talk about lunch. It’s a daily struggle, right? I mean, salad can get a bit… virtuous. And sometimes, what you really want is a big, juicy cheeseburger, but you also want to feel at least a little bit good about your life choices. That’s where these easy lettuce wraps come in. This is my go-to when I’m craving that burger flavor without the carb coma. It’s the glorious, drippy filling of a cheeseburger, all snuggled up in a crisp Romaine leaf. Think of it as a BLT lettuce wrap’s fun cousin who studied abroad in Mexico. Or maybe a keto lettuce wrap that’s gotten its groove back. It’s perfect for a quick lunch, a fun dinner, and honestly, it’s just a very good time on a plate. I’ve made these with everything from ground beef lettuce wraps to leftover rotisserie chicken for Buffalo chicken wraps.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Burrito-Style Cheeseburger Wraps Recipe
3) Ingredients for Burrito-Style Cheeseburger Wraps
4) How to Make Burrito-Style Cheeseburger Wraps
5) Tips for Making Burrito-Style Cheeseburger Wraps
6) Making Burrito-Style Cheeseburger Wraps Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Burrito-Style Cheeseburger Wraps
8) Try these Main Course next!
9) Burrito-Style Cheeseburger Wraps
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

What goes into a satisfying low-carb lunch?
How do you keep lettuce wraps from getting soggy?
Can you meal prep this recipe?
What makes this more than just a salad?

2) Easy Burrito-Style Cheeseburger Wraps Recipe

Let’s talk about lunch. It’s a daily struggle, right? I mean, salad can get a bit… virtuous. And sometimes, what you really want is a big, juicy cheeseburger, but you also want to feel at least a little bit good about your life choices. That’s where these easy lettuce wraps come in. I think of them as the ultimate life hack for the carb-conscious burger lover. This is my go-to when I’m craving that burger flavor without the carb coma. It’s the glorious, drippy filling of a cheeseburger, all snuggled up in a crisp Romaine leaf. A perfect easy lettuce wrap, if you ask me.

Think of it as a BLT lettuce wrap’s fun cousin who studied abroad in Mexico. Or maybe a keto lettuce wrap that’s gotten its groove back. It’s perfect for a quick lunch, a fun dinner, and honestly, it’s just a very good time on a plate. I’ve made these with everything from ground beef for classic ground beef lettuce wraps to leftover rotisserie chicken for Buffalo chicken wraps. The beauty is in the blueprint. You get that smoky, cheesy, savory punch you want from a burger, but you feel light and ready to tackle the afternoon instead of needing a nap.

Quick is the name of the game. From fridge to table in about 30 minutes? That’s a win in my book. Easy, because if you can brown meat and chop a veggie, you’re 90% there. And delicious? Well, that’s the whole point. It’s the kind of meal that makes you wonder why you ever thought you had to choose between flavor and feeling good. It’s all right here in one crunchy, messy, absolutely perfect package.

3) Ingredients for Burrito-Style Cheeseburger Wraps

Olive Oil: Just a tablespoon to get things going in the pan. It keeps the onions from sticking and adds a nice base flavor.

Ground Beef: The star of the show! I use an 80/20 blend for the best flavor, but leaner works too. This is what makes those ground beef lettuce wraps so hearty and satisfying. You can absolutely swap it for ground turkey if you’re leaning toward turkey lettuce wraps.

Yellow Onion & Red Bell Pepper: My favorite flavor base. They add sweetness, color, and a bit of texture that makes the filling feel complete.

Garlic: Because what savory dish isn’t made better with a couple of minced cloves? It’s non-negotiable in my kitchen.

Tomato Paste, Chili Powder, Cumin, Smoked Paprika: This is our “burrito-style” magic dust. The tomato paste adds depth, the spices bring warmth and that south-of-the-border vibe. Smoked paprika is my secret weapon for a hint of barbecue-like smokiness.

Cheddar Cheese: Melty, sharp, glorious cheddar. It binds everything together in a gooey embrace. Feel free to use pepper jack for a kick.

Pickled Jalapeños & Sour Cream: The dynamic duo for topping. The jalapeños give a bright, vinegary heat, and the sour cream cools it all down. Trust me on the jalapeños.

Romaine Lettuce Leaves: Our vessel! Look for large, sturdy, cup-like leaves from the heart of the Romaine lettuce wraps. They’re the perfect edible spoon.

Tomato & Shredded Iceberg Lettuce: The fresh finish. Diced tomato for acidity and juicy bits, and a little shredded iceberg for an extra layer of cold, watery crunch that mimics a burger’s toppings perfectly.

4) How to Make Burrito-Style Cheeseburger Wraps

Step 1. Cook the Veggies. Heat the oil in a big skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in your diced onion and bell pepper. Let them sizzle and soften for about 5 minutes, stirring now and then. You want them to get a little friendly with the heat. In the last 30 seconds, add the garlic. Your kitchen will smell incredible.

Step 2. Brown the Beef. Push the softened veggies to the sides of the pan, making a little well in the center. Crumble in your ground beef. Use your spoon to break it up as it cooks. We’re going for browned, not steamed. If there’s a lot of grease, you can drain some off. I sometimes do, sometimes don’t – depends on my mood.

Step 3. Season the Filling. Now, stir the beef and veggies together. Add the tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika right into the mix. Let it cook for a full minute. You’ll see the tomato paste darken slightly and the spices become super fragrant. This is where the flavor builds! Season generously with salt and pepper.

Step 4. The Cheesy Melt. Turn the heat down to low. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the entire skillet. Put a lid on it (a baking sheet works in a pinch). Let it sit for just a minute or two – just until the cheese is completely melted and dreamy. Remove from heat, then stir in the sour cream and those fantastic pickled jalapeños.

Step 5. Assemble & Serve. Lay your clean, dry Romaine leaves out like little boats on a platter. Spoon a generous amount of the cheesy beef filling into each one. Top with the diced tomato and a pinch of shredded iceberg lettuce for that classic crunch. Fold, eat, and embrace the mess. These are hands-on food, and that’s part of the fun.

5) Tips for Making Burrito-Style Cheeseburger Wraps

Lettuce selection is key. Don’t just grab any leaf. You want the big, firm, inner leaves from a head of Romaine. They have a natural curve that acts like a taco shell. Wash them gently and then dry them thoroughly. I mean, pat them dry like you’re tucking them in for the night. A wet leaf is a sad, soggy leaf, and it will make your wrap fall apart faster than you can say “cheeseburger.”

Don’t skip the dry time for your beef. If you add the cheese while there’s still a lot of liquid in the pan, you’ll get a greasy sauce instead of a cohesive, cheesy filling. Let the beef mixture cook until most of the liquid released has evaporated. You want it moist, but not swimming. This one tip makes a huge difference in the final texture.

Warm plates, cold lettuce. This is my weird little secret for the perfect temperature contrast. I like to serve the hot filling on a warm plate, but the lettuce leaf itself stays cold and crisp. It’s that hot-and-cold, crispy-and-savory thing that makes each bite so interesting. Just run your serving plates under hot water for a minute and dry them before you start assembling.

6) Making Burrito-Style Cheeseburger Wraps Ahead of Time

This recipe is a meal prep superstar, but you have to play it smart. The key is keeping components separate until the very last minute. You can cook the entire beef and veggie filling up to 3 days in advance. Let it cool completely, then stash it in an airtight container in the fridge. The flavors actually get better as they mingle.

When you’re ready to eat, reheat the filling gently in a skillet over medium-low heat or in the microwave. You might need to add a tiny splash of water or broth to loosen it up. Wait to add the cheese until you’re reheating! Stir it in at the end so it gets melty and fresh.

Prep your fresh toppings and wash your lettuce leaves the day you plan to eat. Store the cleaned leaves rolled up in a damp paper towel inside a zip-top bag in the crisper. They’ll stay crisp and ready for action. Assembly should always be a last-minute affair. It takes two minutes, and it guarantees you get that perfect textural contrast every single time.

7) Storing Leftover Burrito-Style Cheeseburger Wraps

Okay, real talk: fully assembled wraps do not store well. The lettuce wilts, the tomato makes everything damp, and it’s just a sad situation. So, don’t do it. Store the components separately. The cooled beef filling will keep beautifully in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. It reheats like a charm for lunches all week.

Keep your chopped tomato and shredded lettuce in their own small containers. Your clean Romaine leaves can stay in that damp paper towel bag. This way, you’re basically running your own little lunchtime wrap station. It takes 90 seconds to throw together a fresh, perfect wrap days later.

You can also freeze the cooked and cooled beef filling for up to 2 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating. I wouldn’t freeze anything with dairy already mixed in, so if you’re planning to freeze, leave out the sour cream and add it fresh when you reheat and serve.

8) Try these Main Course next!

9) Burrito-Style Cheeseburger Wraps