People go into Trader Joe’s for a lot of reasons, but a quick lunch isn’t always one of them. For starters, you’ll spend your whole lunch break trying to find a place to park. But if you’re there with some time? Or better yet, on foot? Trader Joe’s wraps and sandwiches are actually pretty underrated, with the chain’s grab-and-go section housing all kinds of treasures you may not always be ready to pull the trigger on.
Which ones are worth your money? There are some very right and some very wrong answers. I tasted 10 popular Trader Joe’s wraps and sandwiches, and ranked them from best to worst.
Prices and availability are subject to change.
Best: Trader Joe’s Spicy Lentil Wrap
$4.49
I’m not generally the type of person who looks at a lineup of wraps and chooses the lentil one. If you’re the same way, that’s a shame when you walk into a Trader Joe’s, because what you’re looking at here is the best wrap in the store. The lavash itself is significantly larger than the tortillas TJ uses for the other wraps, so you’ve got a more filling lunch right off the bat. And that shredded cabbage, with its beautifully cooling crunch? I love it.
Joe is not kidding around here in the slightest; this thing is s-p-i-c-y. The lentils themselves are pretty hot, and then once you add that scorched, fiery tahini sauce, bam, you’re in the inferno. The good news for me is that I love the inferno. You’ll catch me in the lentil inferno about once a week. Been there for years.
2. Buffalo Style Chicken Wrap
$5.49
This wrap challenges one of my core beliefs about Buffalo wings, but I still like it quite a bit. For me, ranch dressing is superior to blue cheese when it comes to what to pair with Buffalo sauce, but look, I’m a West Coaster. That’s how we’re raised. East coasters are all about blue cheese, and especially zealous about it in upstate New York.
Yet, his dude is served with blue cheese sauce, and I like it. It works. The funk is welcome on the dry chicken, and it melds well with the Buffalo sauce, which seeps through every orifice of the wrap. The meats in these wraps aren’t great, so it’s often about the tortillas and sauce. And luckily, this tomato tortilla is working wonders.
3. Turkey Gobbler Wrap
$4.99
I’m surprised at how good this is. Thanksgiving sandwiches have so many variables, so many moving parts, that they can be very hit-or-miss. Joe is sticking to the basics here because he knows what works. There are a couple of smart moves here. For starters, we’re not shoving mashed potatoes or mac and cheese or anything ridiculous into this thing, so it’s not full to bursting (we’re all guilty of being too heavy-handed when we assemble a leftovers sandwich), and the tortilla holds up well. Second, the turkey is actually good, decently moist, and full of flavor. Turkey is the worst part of Thanksgiving dinner, and you can quote me on that. It’s all about the sides, because turkey is usually pretty dry (I’m sure your turkey is great, no need to slide into my DMs for that one, I’m talking about in general).
And the “festive” dipping sauce referenced on the package? You better believe it’s just a packet of gravy. Love that.
4. Tarragon Chicken Salad Wrap
$5.49
I’m sure I seem like a person with a strong opinion on chicken salad, but the truth is, I don’t have one. Oftentimes, the chicken can be dry and drowning in mayo, but Trader Joe’s has skirted those issues. I really like the crunch from the lettuce and the almonds here. There’s a nice depth of flavor, but it comes at a price. This chicken salad wrap is by far the least healthy choice in the wrap aisle, clocking in at nearly 700 calories. It’s tasty, but don’t be fooled into thinking it’s a light lunch.
5. Grilled Pesto Chicken Wrap
$5.49
This could probably use a bit of editing. The cubed chicken is bizarre for a wrap, and only serves to increase the chances of it constantly falling out of the tortilla by 100%. I’m also unsure about the ricotta, since we already have goat cheese. And what’s with all the sun-dried tomatoes all the time? Can’t a fella get his hands on a fresh tomato?
The pesto, however, isn’t great. A little too sweet and thick, which isn’t a compliment to the ingredients. Without it, this isn’t bad at all.
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6. Turkey Club Wrap
$5.49
We’re so close to greatness, but there are a few fumbles happening. I love the lavash wrap, since it’s the same one from our big winner up there, the Spicy Lentil Wrap. I also like the turkey and the bacon (though it’s a little chewy cold), but while the crunch of the lettuce is nice, there’s simply not enough of it. This lettuce has big side-salad-from-a-fast-food-restaurant vibes, which I think Trader Joe’s does better. And then again with the sun-dried tomatoes. The consistency doesn’t do a wrap any favors, and only serves to suck the moisture away. A real tomato would do the opposite and provide a much-needed burst of acid.
7. Turkey Breast, Spinach, and Swiss Cheese Wrap
$5.49
This is like a turkey wrap you might get at an airport, except if it actually tasted fresh. The turkey’s fine. The spinach feels barely there. There’s only the slightest dab of mustard, and then there’s the cheese. All you can taste is raw Swiss cheese. Trader Joe’s turkey breast, spinach, and Swiss wrap is fine, but you’re in store for more flavor elsewhere.
8. Turkey Apple Cheddar Sandwich
$4.99
We’re dealing with chunks of turkey breast rather than lunch meat, so that might either persuade or dissuade you. The apple is a nice touch, as is the dijonnaise, but I wish this were on some lighter bread. The multigrain roll is so thick and heavy that it’s almost the only thing I can taste.
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9. Tuna Salad Wrap
$5.49
Eh. I like tuna, even though I’m a little grossed out by mayo, but this thing is way too dry. I appreciate the tomato, but I’d add either a lot more mayo or some other sauce. It’s tough to get through one of these without one.
10. Creamy Hummus and Vegetable Wrap
$4.99
C’mon, Joe. I know that you know this isn’t your best work. This is incredibly boring — just a few shredded carrots and peppers in some hummus. There’s barely any seasoning or flavor here — and how come this doesn’t come with a sauce or dip? If you need a vegan option, go for the Spicy Lentil Wrap.
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- 26 Budget-Friendly Trader Joe’s Groceries Customers Swear By —When you’re trying to stretch your grocery budget, Trader Joe’s actually has many inexpensive and delicious options. See what customers recommend.
- Trader Joe’s Opening New Stores in 7 States. Here’s Where — Trader Joe’s is opening new locations of your favorite grocery store soon, and one of them may be near you.
