Flavorful & Easy Vegan Swiss Chard Wraps with Sweet Sriracha Walnut Meat
After a season of indulgent meals or simply when you crave something vibrantly fresh and utterly delicious, these **Vegan Swiss Chard Wraps** are the perfect answer. This recipe offers a delightful combination of light, crisp Swiss chard leaves, a savory “walnut meat” filling, and an irresistible Sweet Sriracha Sauce that ties everything together into a sensational, satisfying meal. It’s an ideal choice for a light lunch, a healthy dinner, or even a sophisticated appetizer, promising both incredible taste and ease of preparation.
Many of us find ourselves seeking meals that are not only nourishing but also exciting to the palate. While traditional options might include heavy dressings or processed ingredients, this plant-based wrap focuses on fresh, whole foods that burst with flavor. If you’ve previously enjoyed my Vegan Lettuce Wraps, you’ll find a similar concept here, but with the added nutritional punch and beautiful presentation of Swiss chard. This recipe takes a familiar, beloved flavor profile and elevates it with a simple yet ingenious ingredient: walnut meat.
The Magic of Swiss Chard: More Than Just a Wrapper
Swiss chard, often celebrated for its striking colors and robust leaves, is truly a star in the world of leafy greens. It’s often referred to as **Rainbow Chard** due to the vibrant hues of its stems, ranging from ruby red to golden yellow and deep orange. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, Swiss chard is a nutritional powerhouse, packed with vitamins K, A, and C, as well as essential minerals like magnesium, potassium, and iron. It’s also an excellent source of dietary fiber, promoting digestive health and helping you feel full and satisfied.
Using Swiss chard leaves as wraps offers several advantages over more delicate greens like lettuce. Their sturdy texture holds up beautifully to generous fillings, preventing tears and making them easier to handle. The slight bitterness of the chard leaf provides a wonderful contrast to the savory, sweet, and spicy flavors of the filling and sauce. Plus, you get an extra dose of nutrients with every bite, making these wraps a truly healthy and wholesome meal. Preparing the chard is simple: just wash and dry the leaves thoroughly. You can gently trim the thickest part of the stem if needed, but the natural flexibility of the leaf is usually perfect for rolling.
Introducing Walnut Meat: A Game-Changing Plant-Based Filling
The heart of these incredible wraps is a revelation in plant-based cuisine: **Walnut Meat**. If you’re new to this concept, prepare to be amazed. Walnut meat is exactly what it sounds like – raw walnuts, finely ground and seasoned to mimic the texture and savory depth of traditional ground meat, often likened to a taco filling. It’s a fantastic, whole-food alternative that is both protein-rich and surprisingly versatile.
The first time I prepared this for my husband, he was genuinely shocked by how much it tasted like a delicious, well-seasoned taco filling. The walnuts, when processed correctly, achieve a crumbly yet tender texture that absorbs flavors beautifully. It’s a testament to the power of whole ingredients and creative plant-based cooking. Making walnut meat is incredibly easy, taking less than 10 minutes, especially if you give your walnuts a quick soak beforehand to soften them slightly. This simple step helps achieve the perfect consistency and aids in better flavor absorption.
Beyond being the ideal filling for these Swiss Chard Wraps, walnut meat is incredibly adaptable. You can use it in tacos, burritos, salads, grain bowls, or even as a topping for nachos. It readily takes on any spice blend or sauce you combine it with, making it a perfect base for a variety of culinary creations. The walnuts also provide healthy omega-3 fatty acids, making this filling not just tasty, but also incredibly good for you.
The Irresistible Sweet Sriracha Sauce: A Symphony of Flavors
No wrap is complete without a stellar sauce, and this **Sweet Sriracha Sauce** is nothing short of perfection. It strikes a masterful balance between sweetness and heat, offering an extra kick that elevates every ingredient in the wrap. The combination of spicy sriracha with the rich sweetness of maple syrup (or date syrup for an even healthier option) creates an addictive flavor profile that you’ll want to drizzle over everything.
This sauce isn’t just a flavor enhancer; it plays a crucial role in bringing the entire dish together. The savory walnut meat eagerly soaks up the vibrant flavors of the sauce, ensuring that each bite is packed with deliciousness. A sprinkle of sesame seeds adds a subtle nutty depth and an appealing visual element. I’ve shared this sauce before, and its popularity is undeniable – it’s so good, it deserves to be a staple in your kitchen. It’s truly what makes these Vegan Swiss Chard Wraps unforgettable and why they’ve earned a permanent spot in my weekly meal rotation.
Assembling Your Delicious Plant-Based Wraps
Putting these wraps together is as enjoyable as eating them. Once your walnut meat is prepared and your Sweet Sriracha Sauce is mixed, the assembly process is quick and customizable. Lay out your fresh Swiss chard leaves, which act as your sturdy, nutrient-rich “tortillas.”
Begin by spreading a generous portion of the walnut meat mixture onto each chard leaf. Don’t be shy – the chard can handle a good amount! Next, layer on your chosen fresh vegetables. This recipe calls for vibrant shredded carrots and crunchy purple cabbage, which add fantastic texture and color. Feel free to get creative here: thinly sliced cucumbers, diced bell peppers, creamy avocado slices, or fresh herbs like cilantro or mint would also make wonderful additions. Finally, drizzle liberally with the Sweet Sriracha Sauce and garnish with a pinch of sesame seeds and freshly chopped scallions for a final burst of flavor and freshness. Roll them up like a burrito, and they’re ready to enjoy!
These wraps are not just incredibly easy to make, but they also fit perfectly into a healthy, plant-based lifestyle. They are naturally raw, vegan, and gluten-free, catering to a wide range of dietary preferences without compromising on taste or satisfaction. Whether you’re looking for a quick, nutritious lunch to pack for work, a light yet filling dinner, or an impressive appetizer for guests, these Swiss Chard Wraps are an excellent choice. They demonstrate that healthy eating can be both simple and incredibly flavorful, making them a true culinary delight you’ll want to revisit again and again.
If you try these Vegan Swiss Chard Wraps, please let me know in the comment section below! You can also tag me on Instagram with the hashtag #jessicainthekitchen. For more exclusive recipes, follow me on Instagram AND on Snapchat: jessinkitchen.
RELATED RECIPES TO EXPLORE
Vegan Lettuce Wraps
Vegan Swiss Chard Wraps
Pin Recipe
Leave a Review
Ingredients
Walnut Meat:
- 2 cups raw walnuts
- 1 tablespoon liquid aminos
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sriracha Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha
- 4 tablespoons maple syrup or 2 tablespoon date syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds
Swiss Chard Wrap:
- 6 swiss chard leaves, washed and dried
- 2 carrots, shredded
- 1/2 cup purple cabbage, chopped
- Pinch of Sesame seeds for garnish
- 1 stalk scallion, chopped for garnish
Instructions
Sriracha Sauce
- Mix the ingredients together. Set aside.
Walnut Meat
- Soak the walnuts in hot water for about 10 minutes, then drain.
- In a food processor, add the walnuts and all the other ingredients. Pulse about 3-6 on 1 second pulses until the walnuts resemble a mince, but not all the way until its mushy. Use a spatula to scrap down to ensure everything is incorporated. Add in the Sriracha Sauce ingredients and pulse for 3 more times to incorporate, using the spatula to help you (you want to ensure everything is just incorporated).
Put together
- In a swiss chard leaf, add some of the walnut meat mixture and spread.
- Top with your serving of shredded carrots, cabbage, sesame seeds and scallions.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- This recipe is raw, vegan and gluten free.
- HOW TO STORE You can store the ingredients separately for this wrap, and then put together when ready to assemble. If making for lunch that day, you can make this the morning of, then roll together and store in the fridge until ready to eat.
Disclaimer: Although jessicainthekitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Jessicainthekitchen.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.