That's a Wrap: How to Make a Sandwich Wrap
See our gourmet tortilla mixes >>

Dennis Weaver

“Wraps are a nice change of pace from sandwiches and just as easy to make.  For this article, we used specialty tortillas from the store but you can make yore own—better—with our easy tortilla mixes.  Try the Southwest’s Best Sour Cream Tortilla Mix, my favorite.”—Dennis Weaver

 

Back in my Boy Scout leader days, I would take tortillas rather than bread on backpacking trips.   We could pack tortillas in a plastic container without mangling them and we could use them to wrap anything.  We would do sandwich wraps, breakfast wraps, and dessert wraps.  For trail food, they were pretty nice.   We still love wraps. 

Wraps are versatile with something for everyone and every occasion.  Load them with meats, cheese, and veggies to suit.  Spread them with mayonnaise or a sandwich spread or drizzle them with dressing. 

For breakfast, you can fill them with scrambled eggs, grated cheese, and snipped bacon or crumbled sausage.  Add salsa if you like for a Tex-Mex breakfast burrito.

And about those trail wraps that we had for dessert: We would smear tortillas with cream cheese and add dry fruit (usually pineapple) or smear them with peanut butter and add dry fruit or jam.  But your kids will enjoy peanut butter and jam wraps without going on a hike. 

Here are four of our favorite wraps--great for a summer lunch.   But first, let’s talk about how to wrap a wrap.

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How to Wrap a Wrap

You can make an open-ended wrap or a closed one.  And everyone seems to have their own best way to wrap a wrap.  This is how we wrap a wrap.

• Smear sandwich spread within an inch of the perimeter of the tortilla.
• Lay sandwich goodies in a wide swath down the center of the tortilla and to within a couple inches of the left and right edges—kind of a rough rectangle.
• To make a closed end wrap, fold both the right and the left edges over the goodies and roll from the bottom.  To make an open-ended wrap, fold only one edge. 

If we make a closed end wrap, we cut the wrap in two and eat half at a time. 

If the tortilla is a little stiff and hard to wrap and keep closed, try microwaving the tortilla under a paper towel for 15 to 20 seconds.  It will be more pliable.

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About Sandwich Spreads

In our test kitchen, we made wraps both with mayonnaise and with sandwich spreads.  Everyone much preferred the wraps made with our spreads that we carry from Elki.  The extra flavor and zest really made the wrap.

• See these gourmet sandwich spreads and dips >>

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Grilled Chicken and Chipotle Wrap

Grilled chicken makes a wonderful wrap.  Load it up as you like.  The chipotle ranch spread gives it some zip, really improves the sandwich.

Ingredients

grilled chicken breast, seasoned and cut into 2-inch strips 
provolone cheese
thinly sliced red bell pepper, each slice cut in half
romaine lettuce
slices of tomato
thinly sliced sweet yellow onions
chipotle ranch spread
spinach tortillas

Directions

1. Spread the chipotle spread lightly on the tortilla.
2. Place romaine lettuce on top of the spread.  Add the cheese and chicken.  Add the remaining ingredients in your order of choice.
3. To fold the wrap, fold in the sides of the tortilla and then roll from the bottom up. Cut the wraps in half

Zesty Italian Wrap

This Italian wrap gets its zest from the Italian dressing and pepper jack cheese.  The pastrami and pepperoni give it a lot of flavor.   

Ingredients

pastrami
pepperoni
sliced olives
sliced tomatoes
grated pepper jack cheese
zesty Italian dressing
tomato basil tortilla

Directions

1. Spread Italian dressing on the tortilla.
2. Place pastrami and pepperoni slices over the dressing.  Add the tomato slices and olives.  Top with grated cheese and more dressing if you like.
3. To fold the wrap, fold in the sides of the tortilla and then roll from the bottom up. Cut the wraps in half.

Tuna Wrap

This is a great wrap for summer. It’s light and refreshing, healthy and flavorful.  This is a great wrap for a picnic or a lunch in the shade at the park.

Ingredients

tuna packed in water, drained
diced celery
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
mayonnaise
salt and pepper
provolone cheese, thinly sliced
cucumbers, thinly sliced
sprouts
spinach tortilla

Directions

1. Mix the tuna, celery, onion powder, and mayonnaise together to make a tuna salad filling. 
2. Spread the filling on the tortilla.  Add a slice or two of provolone cheese.  Layer with cucumbers and sprouts.
3. To fold the wrap, fold in the sides of the tortilla and then roll from the bottom up. Cut the wraps in half

Chipotle Roast Beef Wrap

Ingredients

flour tortilla
chipotle ranch spread  
romaine lettuce
Deli roast beef, thinly sliced
Pepper jack cheese
Thin tomato slices

Directions

(Note: If you heat the tortilla for ten to fifteen seconds in the microwave before making the wrap it will be much easier to work with and they will stay together better after the wrap is rolled.)

1. Spread the chipotle spread lightly on the tortilla.
2. Place romaine lettuce on top of the spread.  Add the beef and cheese.  Add the tomato slices.
3. To fold the wrap, fold in the sides of the tortilla and then roll from the bottom up. Cut the wraps in half.