If you’re a fan of Trader Joe’s famed lentil wrap but want to try making it at home, you’re at the perfect place! This homemade copycat recipe will help you make this healthy and tasty supper. From the tasty lentil filling to the creamy sauce and fresh veggies, we’ll break down each component so you can have a taste of Trader Joe’s straight from your own house.
Key Ingredients For A Copycat Spicy Lentil Wrap
If you’re looking to recreate the delicious Spicy Lentil Wrap similar to the one from Trader Joe’s, here are the essential ingredients you’ll need:
Medium Red Bell Peppers 6
Red bell peppers add a sweet, mild flavor and vibrant color to a spicy lentil wrap. They offer a crunchy texture and are rich in vitamins A and C, enhancing both taste and nutrition.
Cayenne Pepper 1/2 Teaspoon
Cayenne pepper adds a fiery, bold heat to a spicy lentil wrap. Packed with capsaicin, it boosts flavor and provides a metabolism-boosting kick, making it a perfect spice for adding extra zing to the dish.
Kosher Salt 1 Teaspoon
Kosher salt enhances the overall flavor of a spicy lentil wrap by bringing out the natural tastes of the ingredients. Its coarse texture makes it ideal for seasoning, ensuring an even and balanced distribution of saltiness.
Red Lentils 1/2 Cup
Red lentils are the star of a spicy lentil wrap, providing a soft texture and earthy flavor. Rich in protein, fiber, and iron, they offer a nutritious base while absorbing the bold spices for added depth.
Fine Grain Bulgur 3/4 Cup
Fine grain bulgur adds a light, fluffy texture to a spicy lentil wrap. It’s quick-cooking, mildly nutty, and packed with fiber, making it a nutritious addition that complements the lentils and spices perfectly.
Olive Oil 2 Tablespoons
Olive oil adds a rich, smooth flavor and healthy fats to a spicy lentil wrap. It enhances the spices and ingredients, helping to bind them together while providing a heart-healthy element to the dish.
Medium Onion 1
Onions bring a savory, slightly sweet flavor to a spicy lentil wrap. When sautéed, they add depth and aroma, balancing the spiciness of the dish while contributing to its overall texture and taste.
Crushed Garlic 1/4 Teaspoon
Garlic adds a pungent, aromatic depth to a spicy lentil wrap. Its bold flavor enhances the spices, while providing a rich, savory undertone that complements the other ingredients and elevates the overall dish.
Ground Cumin 2 Teaspoons
Cumin imparts a warm, earthy flavor with subtle citrus notes to a spicy lentil wrap. Its distinctive taste enhances the spices, adding depth and complexity while balancing the heat from the other ingredients.
Red Pepper Flakes 1 Teaspoon
Red pepper flakes add a bold, fiery heat to a spicy lentil wrap. Their slightly smoky flavor enhances the spiciness of the dish, providing an extra kick and a vibrant red color to the wrap.
Scallion 1
Scallions offer a mild, slightly tangy flavor with a hint of sweetness, adding freshness to a spicy lentil wrap. Their crisp texture and vibrant green color complement the warmth of the spices, balancing the dish.
Flat-Leaf Parsley 2 Tablespoons
Flat-leaf parsley adds a fresh, herbal flavor to a spicy lentil wrap. Its bright, slightly peppery taste helps balance the spiciness while providing a burst of color and a healthy boost of vitamins.
Tahini 1/4 Cup
Tahini brings a creamy, nutty richness to a spicy lentil wrap. Made from ground sesame seeds, it adds depth and smoothness to the dish, balancing the heat while enhancing the overall flavor profile.
Lemon Juice 2 Teaspoons
Lemon juice adds a tangy, zesty kick to the wrap, balancing the heat of the spices. Its acidity enhances flavors, providing a refreshing contrast that brightens the overall taste of the dish.
Red Pepper Flakes 1/8 Teaspoon
Red pepper flakes bring a bold, spicy heat to the wrap, elevating the flavor profile with a subtle smokiness. They add a vibrant kick, perfectly complementing the earthiness of the lentils and other ingredients.
Lavash Sheets 6 (Approximately 9×12-Inch)
Lavash sheets are soft, thin flatbreads that serve as the perfect wrap base. Their light, flexible texture holds the spicy lentil filling while adding a mild, slightly chewy bite to each delicious bite.
Shredded Cabbage 2 Cups
Shredded cabbage adds a crunchy texture and mild, slightly sweet flavor to the wrap. Its freshness balances the spicy lentils, providing a satisfying contrast while enhancing the overall crispness and freshness of the dish.
Essential Equipments For Trader Joe’s Spicy Lentil Wrap Recipe
To make Trader Joe’s Spicy Lentil Wrap, you’ll need the following essential equipment:
- Large Mixing Bowl – For combining the spicy lentils and any other ingredients.
- Pan or Skillet – To heat and toast the wrap for a crispy finish.
- Knife – To slice vegetables like cucumber and any garnishes.
- Cutting Board – A safe surface for chopping ingredients.
- Spoon or Spatula – For evenly spreading hummus on the wrap and mixing the ingredients.
These tools are key to assembling and serving the wrap efficiently and ensure a great result!
Step-By-Step Guide: How To Make A Homemade Trader Joe’s Lentil Wrap
- Process bell peppers, chili pepper, and salt. Pour puree into a pan on low. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the paste forms. It may take two hours. Let it cool before using. Cover the paste with olive oil and refrigerate in a jar.
- Add lentils and 2 cups of water to a small saucepan over medium-low heat. This makes lentil filling. Boil, then lower heat and cover. After 20 minutes, lentils should be soft. Add bulgur after removing from heat. Allow the bulgur to soak in the water for roughly 30 minutes, or until soft.
- Also, heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the onions and simmer, stirring frequently, until tender and clear. Cook for an additional minute after adding the cumin and red pepper flakes.
- Mix bulgur, lentils, onions, shallots, parsley, and salt. Make sure everything is completely blended. Make wraps after it cools. You can use a food processor to smooth out the filling and make it more like the Trader Joe’s version, but I prefer it as is. The filling can be frozen in an airtight jar if not used immediately.
- Mix all the ingredients in a small dish with 2/3 cup warm water to make the tahini dipping sauce. Mix ingredients well with a fork. Stir in small amounts of warm water until desired consistency is reached.
- Fold the lavash sheet in half with the shorter end facing you to make wraps. Spread 1 1/2 tablespoons red pepper paste on the bottom third. The lentil-bulgur mixture goes on top, then cabbage. Help the wrap seal by spreading 1/2 tablespoon of red pepper paste on top. Roll it from bottom to top. Do this for the other wraps.
- Cut each wrap in half and serve with tahini sauce on the side.
Trader Joe’s Spicy Lentil Wrap Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 Medium Red Bell Peppers
- ½ Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- 1 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ½ Cup Red Lentils
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 Medium Onion
- ¼ Teaspoon Crushed Garlic
- 2 Teaspoons Ground Cumin
- 1 Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
- 1 Scallion
- 2 Tablespoons Flat-Leaf Parsley
- ¼ Cup Tahini
- 2 Teaspoons Lemon Juice
- ⅛ Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
- 6 Lavash Sheets Approximately 9×12-Inch
- 2 Cups Shredded Cabbage
Instructions
- Process bell peppers, chili pepper, and salt. Pour puree into a pan on low
- Simmer, stirring regularly, until the mixture thickens into a paste. It might take two hours
- Wait for it to cool before using
- Cover the paste with olive oil and refrigerate in a jar
- Add lentils and 2 cups of water to a small saucepan over medium-low heat
- This makes lentil filling. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover
- After around 20 minutes, the lentils should be tender
- Take it off the heat and add the bulgur
- Soak bulgur in water for 30 minutes until soft
- Also, heat olive oil in a pan on medium
- Simmer onions until soft and clear, stirring often
- Cook for an additional minute after adding the cumin and red pepper flakes
- Mix bulgur, lentils, onions, shallots, parsley, and salt
- Mix everything well. Make wraps after it cools
- You can use a food processor to smooth out the filling and make it more like the Trader Joe's version, but I prefer it as is
- The filling can be frozen in an airtight jar if not used immediately
- Mix all the ingredients in a small bowl with 2/3 cup warm water to make the tahini dipping sauce
- Mix ingredients well with a fork
- Add modest amounts of warm water at a time, stirring until the required consistency is achieved
- Fold the lavash sheet in half with the shorter end facing you to make wraps
- Spread 1 1/2 tablespoons red pepper paste on the bottom third
- The lentil-bulgur mixture goes on top, then cabbage
- Help the wrap seal by spreading 1/2 tablespoon of red pepper paste on top
- Then, roll it up from the bottom up. Do this for the remaining wraps
- Half each wrap and serve with tahini sauce
Nutrition
Final Words
Trader Joe’s lentil wrap is great, but this recipe lets you make it at home. You can make this tasty wrap at home with simple ingredients and steps. Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch or a light dinner option, this homemade copycat version will surely satisfy your cravings. Trader Joe’s convenience and flavor are now at your fingertips with this lentil wrap recipe!
FAQs
What Makes Trader Joe’s Spicy Lentil Wrap So Popular?
Trader Joe’s Spicy Lentil Wrap is popular for its bold flavors, combining hearty lentils with spicy seasonings, all wrapped in a soft tortilla. It offers a satisfying, plant-based meal that’s quick, convenient, and packed with protein and fiber, making it a favorite for both vegetarians and busy eaters.
Best Side Dishes To Pair With A Spicy Lentil Wrap
Great side dishes for a spicy lentil wrap include a cooling cucumber salad, tangy tzatziki sauce, roasted sweet potatoes, or a simple quinoa salad with lemon and herbs. You could also pair it with crispy baked pita chips or a refreshing fruit salad to balance the heat.
