Rendang Turkey Lettuce Cups
Spiced turkey mince with coconut, piled into crisp lettuce leaves with pickled red onions, a fast and fresh supper.
Made with Pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas) and Rendang paste. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time25 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.70 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a high heat. Add the turkey mince and break it up. Cook for 6 to 7 minutes until browned and no pink remains.
7 min - 2
Stir in your ready made rendang paste (see the base recipe) and cook for 2 minutes, stirring.
- 3
Pour in the coconut milk and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until the mixture is thick and clinging. Season with salt and half the lime juice.
3 min 30 s - 4
Toss the carrot and cucumber with the remaining lime juice and a pinch of salt.
- 5
Spoon the turkey into the lettuce leaves. Top with the carrot and cucumber, your ready made pickled red onions (see the base recipe) and mint leaves. Serve straight away so the leaves stay crisp.
Tips
- Break the mince into small crumbs as it browns so it tucks neatly into the lettuce.
- Little gem leaves hold their shape best. Iceberg also works, and radicchio cups add a bitter edge.
- Add the filling to the leaves at the table so nothing goes limp.
Storing and freezing
Keeps the cooked turkey 2 days in the fridge, covered, once cooled within 2 hours. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through. Assemble the lettuce cups fresh.
Questions
Can I use chicken or pork mince?
Yes. Chicken mince cooks the same way. Pork mince needs a little less oil, because it is fattier. Cook it until no pink remains and the juices run clear.
Is this a low carb dish?
The cups themselves contain no flour, rice or noodles, so it fits a low carb way of eating. Serve with extra cucumber and herbs instead of rice.
How do I serve it for a party?
Keep the turkey warm in a small pan, put the leaves and toppings on a platter, and let guests build their own cups.
More made with pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas)
Pollo Pibil de Horno (Yucatan Style Slow Baked Achiote Chicken)
DFEFNFMojarra Frita con Frijoles y Arroz Verde (Fried Whole Fish Plate)
DFEFNFTacos de Hongos con Pipián Verde (Mushroom Green Pipian Tacos)
GFDFEFCostillas de Res al Guajillo con Frijoles Refritos (Guajillo Braised Beef Short Ribs)
DFEFNFSee every dish made with pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas)
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.