Spiced Lamb Lettuce Wraps with Mint and Walnut

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-27 · Updated 2026-04-27

Ground lamb sautéed with warming spices, served in crisp lettuce cups and topped with fresh mint and crunchy walnuts for a refreshing paleo appetizer. This middle eastern-inspired paleo (gluten-free, dairy-free) ready in about 25 minutes pairs ground lamb, olive oil, small, finely diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground lamb
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small, finely diced onion
• 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 8 large, washed and separated iceberg lettuce leaves
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh mint leaves
• 1/3 cup, toasted and chopped walnuts
• 1 tsp, divided sea salt
• 1/2 tsp, divided black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 small finely diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
2. Step 2: Add 1 lb ground lamb, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp sea salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, for 8-10 minutes until browned and cooked through.
3. Step 3: While lamb cooks, toast 1/3 cup walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned. Roughly chop walnuts and set aside.
4. Step 4: To assemble, spoon the spiced lamb mixture evenly into 8 large iceberg lettuce leaves. Top each with 1 tbsp chopped fresh mint and a sprinkle of toasted walnuts. Serve immediately for a cool contrast of flavors.