How to Make Collard Wraps (+ delicious recipes) | Ambitious Kitchen (2024)

After Abra and I tested out these vegan curry chickpea salad collard wraps we knew it was time to make collard wraps a new lunch staple. Not only are these beautiful wraps fun to make, but they’re also so easy to customize with any of your favorite recipes!

Seriously, just take your fav veggies, proteins, dressings and sauces and roll those babies up in a giant collard leaf. It’s a wonderful gluten free, grain free and low carb alternative to regular wraps if that’s something you might be looking for. Check out our full tutorial on how to make collard wraps below, and don’t forget to try out some of our favorite recipes to add to collard wraps at the end!

How to Make Collard Wraps (+ delicious recipes) | Ambitious Kitchen (1)

What are collard greens?

Collards are a dark, leafy green in the same family as kale and cabbage. The stem and leaf of collard greens are much tougher than, say, spinach leaves, making them the perfect gluten free and low carb vehicle for wrapping up with your favorite sandwich and wrap ingredients. Collard greens, like most leafy greens, are packed with vitamins and nutrients as well.

Besides enjoying them raw as a wrap, collard greens are a traditional Southern side dish often cooked low and slow with a fat source like ham hock or bacon, plus plenty of seasonings.

Prepare your collard greens for wraps

Good news: you can eat collard greens raw! I always use raw collard greens to make my wraps, but you’re welcome to quickly steam them or soak them in warm water before using them if you’d like a softer, more mild-flavored wrap.

How to make collard wraps

Step 1: cut & shave the stem

The stem of collard leaves is very tough, so you’ll want to remove it before wrapping. Cut the stem off of the collard green leaf and then shave it down using a small knife so that it’s flat. This will help prevent the collard leaf from breaking at the end and make it easier to roll up.

How to Make Collard Wraps (+ delicious recipes) | Ambitious Kitchen (2)

Step 2: add your filling

Feel free to add anything you’d like to your collard leaf! I love experimenting with different veggies, proteins and sauces, and even taking my favorite salad recipes and rolling them up into a collard wrap. Add your filling to the middle-bottom of the wrap. Recipe suggestions below!

How to Make Collard Wraps (+ delicious recipes) | Ambitious Kitchen (3)

Step 3: roll your wrap

It’s time to roll! Carefully roll the collard wrap up just like you would with a burrito, tucking in the ends as you go so that the filling stays inside.

How to Make Collard Wraps (+ delicious recipes) | Ambitious Kitchen (4)

Step 4: slice and eat

Finally, cut your collard wrap in half and enjoy! They’re perfect for arranging on a platter if you’re serving guests, or meal prepping and storing for later.

How to Make Collard Wraps (+ delicious recipes) | Ambitious Kitchen (5)

Now that you’re an expert and making collard wraps, it’s time to try them with delicious recipes! Below you’ll find some of my favorite salads and fillings that are perfect for rolling up into your collard wrap. Enjoy!

How to Make Collard Wraps (+ delicious recipes) | Ambitious Kitchen (6)

Quinoa salads

Fiesta Mango Black Bean Quinoa Salad

Crunchy Cashew Thai Quinoa Salad

One Pot Moroccan Chickpea Quinoa Salad

Roasted Carrot Cauliflower Quinoa Salad

Vibrant Curry Cashew Chickpea Quinoa Salad

Avocado Blueberry Quinoa Salad

Green Goddess Tuna Quinoa Salad

How to Make Collard Wraps (+ delicious recipes) | Ambitious Kitchen (7)

Chicken recipes

Moroccan Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad

Crunchy Rainbow Thai Peanut Chicken Wraps

Spicy Ranch Chopped Chicken Cabbage Salad

Greek Chicken Kabobs

Thai Chicken Quinoa Salad

How to Make Collard Wraps (+ delicious recipes) | Ambitious Kitchen (8)

Tuna recipes

Farmer’s Market Spicy Tuna Wraps with Homemade Chipotle Greek Yogurt Ranch

Honey Mustard Apple Tuna Salad

Thai Tuna Patties

High Protein Black Bean Avocado Tuna Salad Sandwiches

How to Make Collard Wraps (+ delicious recipes) | Ambitious Kitchen (9)

Tofu recipes

Vegan Egg Roll in a Bowl

Vegan Turmeric Pineapple Tofu Kabobs

How to Make Collard Wraps (+ delicious recipes) | Ambitious Kitchen (10)

Beans & chickpeas

Vegan Pecan Apple Chickpea Salad Wraps

Spicy Cashew Thai Chickpea Broccoli Salad

Ultimate Vegan Black Bean Burgers with Creamy Tahini Garlic Sauce

Vegan Curried Broccoli Chickpea Salad

The Easiest Chopped Greek Chickpea Salad

Chickpea Apple Broccoli Salad with Honey Dijon Dressing

Chopped Thai Chickpea Salad with Curry Peanut Dressing

Roasted Sweet Potato Black Bean Salad with Pineapple Corn Salsa

Smashed Chickpea Avocado Salad Sandwich with Cranberries + Lemon

How to Make Collard Wraps (+ delicious recipes) | Ambitious Kitchen (11)

All veggies

Curry Roasted Cauliflower Sweet Potato Salad

California Roasted Sweet Potato Kale Salad

How to Make Collard Wraps (+ delicious recipes) | Ambitious Kitchen (12)

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How to Make Collard Wraps (+ delicious recipes) | Ambitious Kitchen (13)

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

ServesServes 2 servings

Learn exactly how to make collard wraps for the perfect easy lunch filled with veggies and protein! In this step-by-step tutorial for making collard wraps, you'll learn how to prep your collard greens, fill them with delicious ingredients and roll them up well. Fill your homemade collard wraps with one of our delicious suggested recipes!

Ingredients

  • 2 large collard wraps
  • Your favorite veggies, proteins or salad.

Instructions

  • Cut the stem off of the collard green leaf and then carefully shave it down using a small knife so that it’s flat. This will help prevent the collard leaf from breaking at the end and make it easier to roll up.

  • Add any veggies, protein and/or sauces to the middle-bottom of each collard leaf, or evenly divide a salad recipe onto each leaf.

  • Carefully roll the collard wrap up just like you would with a burrito, tucking in the ends as you go so that the filling stays inside.

  • Cut your collard wraps in half and enjoy!

I hope you love this easy tutorial on how to make collard wraps! If you try any of these recipes be sure to leave a comment and a rating on the recipe page so I know how you liked it. Enjoy, xo!

How to Make Collard Wraps (+ delicious recipes) | Ambitious Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

How do you roll a collard wrap? ›

First, blanch a large collard leaf for a few seconds in boiling hot water. The goal is just to make it pliable. Pat it dry, and use a paring knife to trim off the thick part of the stem. Next, pile your fillings into the middle of the leaf, and tuck and roll!

What are the best green leaves for wraps? ›

I tried making lunch wraps with a variety of different greens—chard, raw lettuce leaves, kale—but collard greens were the hands down winner. They're sturdier and more flexible than any others. But to get them easier to wrap and easier to eat, you need to quickly blanch the leaves.

What are 3 ways you can eat collard greens? ›

10 Delicious Ways to Eat Collard Greens
  • Rolled up in a Wrap. This is where the sturdiness of these leaves pays off big time. ...
  • Mixed into a Meaty Braise. ...
  • Stirred into Soup. ...
  • Cooked into a Stir-Fry. ...
  • Shredded into a Casserole. ...
  • Puréed into Pesto. ...
  • Added to Chili. ...
  • In Salads and Slaws.

What kind of lettuce is good for wraps? ›

Smoother butterhead lettuce leaves are ideal for wrapping as they're super flexible and wide enough wrap around and keep all the toppings inside. Butterhead lettuce is the key to loading up our peanut-sesame chicken lettuce wraps, caramelized tofu lettuce wraps, and our basil avocado shrimp salad wraps.

Are green wraps healthier? ›

Spinach wraps may look and sound healthier,” she notes, “but they contain only trace amounts of spinach and are typically made with refined grains — meaning no calorie or carb savings. And no added fiber.”

What leaves can be used as a wrap? ›

A–Cuisines from all over the world use many different kinds of leaves to wrap foods. Some of the less well-known include badou leaves, coco leaves, ti leaves and plantain leaves. Leaves that are more well-known are lotus, banana, grape and bamboo leaves.

What takes the bitterness out of collards? ›

The foods that help reduce bitterness are: Salt while cooking and/or while eating (like on bitter salad greens) Sweet or Spicy. Sour or Acids like lemon or vinegar.

Why did slaves eat collard greens? ›

Collard greens were one of the few vegetables that African-Americans were allowed to grow for themselves and their families back in slavery time. Even after the Africans were emancipated in the late 1800s cooked greens were a comfort in the African-American culture.

How do you make can collards taste better? ›

Some options include adding a splash of lemon juice or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to add tanginess and spice. You can also drizzle them with a bit of olive oil or add a dash of your favorite seasoning blend for added depth of flavor.

What is the best meat for collard greens? ›

Fully-Cooked Smoked Turkey Leg- This is the best alternative for those who prefer not to use pork. The smoked turkey leg will add flavor and smokiness to the greens. If you prefer pork, use ham hocks or thick-cut cooked bacon. Chicken Broth- Chicken broth creates a richer, more flavorful broth.

What part of the body are collard greens good for? ›

Was this helpful? Collard greens contain nutrients with many possible health benefits, like supporting bone health, liver function, and digestion. They may also help prevent cancer, improve sleep, and support hair and skin health. The cruciferous family are part of the cruciferous vegetable family.

What season does collard greens do best in? ›

In warm climates, collards do best when planted in the fall, as this allows them to mature during cooler weather. (They will bolt in the heat of summer!) Plus, collard greens taste even better when “kissed” by frost and will grow through snow.

How do you roll a cold wrap? ›

Put your filling in the middle of your tortilla and fold the left and right edges in toward the middle. Fold the bottom edge of the wrap over the fillings and tuck them inside the tortilla. Roll the tortilla tightly toward the top edge. Spread a sauce or condiment along the top edge to hold your wrap closed.

How do you layer a wrap? ›

Start by placing a layer of greens on the wrap to act as a barrier between the fillings and the wrap itself. You can use lettuce, spinach or other types of greens. They will also help prevent the wrap from becoming soggy. Next, layer the other ingredients on top of the greens and finish it off with the chicken.

How do you make ahead wraps not soggy? ›

One of the best ways to keep wraps from getting soggy is by using the correct storage method. Parchment paper or wax paper is ideal for wrapping up your wrap when complete, as it not only keeps the wrap shaped correctly but it also allows it to breathe which prevents moisture build-up that makes wraps soggy.

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