Blog
Darlene Murphy
August 26, 2025
We've all been there: staring at yesterday's grain bowl in the fridge, wondering if it will still taste as good the next day. Here’s a better idea. Instead of settling for boring leftovers, you can transform that beautiful grain bowl into a fresh, portable wrap that's perfect for your busy day ahead.
At Forage Kitchen, we're all about making healthy food fit into your lifestyle. Between work meetings, school pickups, and everything in between, finding time for nutritious meals in Madison can feel impossible. That's where the magic of repurposing comes in. Your leftover bowl components are already prepped and ready to become tomorrow's grab-and-go snack, reducing food waste while keeping your energy levels steady throughout the day.
Here’s how to turn today’s bowl into tomorrow’s delicious, portable wrap with zero extra hassle.
Converting your grain bowl into wraps isn't just clever; it's practical genius. Americans waste about 30-40% of their food supply, and leftovers often add to this statistic. By reimagining your bowl as tomorrow's wrap, you're not only reducing waste but also introducing variety to your meal routine.
Wraps offer a convenience that bowls can't: perfect, travel-friendly portability. Whether you're heading to a morning meeting or need an afternoon pick-me-up, a well-constructed wrap travels beautifully without losing its appeal. Creating a wrap can also introduce new flavor combos as ingredients meld together differently than they do in a bowl.
The beauty of grain bowls and wraps is their shared foundation. Both rely on balanced components: proteins, grains, vegetables, and flavorful dressings. This makes the transition seamless and opens up endless possibilities for meal prep efficiency.
Turning your grain bowl doesn't require culinary school skills, just a few smart techniques that preserve all those delicious flavors you loved the first time around.
Your wrap choice sets the stage for success. Whole-grain tortillas work beautifully with heartier bowl components, while large lettuce leaves create refreshing vessels for lighter combinations.
For our summer seasonal ingredients, such as basil, cucumber, and organic black rice, we love using soft flour tortillas that can handle the substantial textures without tearing.
Here's where many wrap attempts go wrong: too much liquid creates a soggy mess. Before wrapping, drain any excess dressing or juices that have accumulated overnight. Keep wet components, such as our Southwest Salsa, slightly separated from dry ingredients like toasted seeds or crispy tortilla chips until you're ready to eat.
Meal prep success often depends on proper storage techniques. Use small containers to keep sauces separate, then add them just before wrapping for maximum freshness.
Think of your wrap like a well-orchestrated symphony. Start with a thin spread of something creamy (like hummus or our house-made black bean dip) directly on the wrap surface. This creates a barrier that prevents other ingredients from making the wrap soggy. Next, add your grains and proteins, followed by vegetables, and finish with any crunchy elements.
We're particularly excited about how our current summer seasonal ingredients can be turned into wraps. Take our roasted Brussels sprouts, kale, and candied walnuts combination: in a bowl, these components shine individually, but wrapped together, the roasted Brussels sprouts pair beautifully with the slightly bitter kale, while candied walnuts add flavorful crunch throughout each bite.
Our Build Your Own Bowl components work seamlessly in wraps as well. The roasted chicken becomes incredibly wrap-friendly when shredded slightly, and our organic black rice adds a grainy depth that holds up beautifully to the wrapping process.
If you try our wraps, you might find yourself saying, "I never thought to take my bowl home and make it into wraps, but now it's my weekly routine. It's like getting two completely different meals from just one order."
Crisp veggies like the locally grown carrots or cucumbers that are in season right now create satisfying wraps that feel more like a complete meal than a simple snack. Combined with our house-made dressings, these wraps become something special you'll actually look forward to eating.
For wraps that stay fresh and delicious, roll them snugly but not too tightly. Use parchment paper or aluminum foil to hold everything together, and store them seam-side down in the refrigerator. If you're meal prepping multiple wraps, keep the most delicate ingredients (like fresh herbs or crispy elements) in separate small containers to add just before eating.
Transforming your grain bowls into wraps is more than just clever leftover management. It's about making healthy food accessible and enjoyable, even when life gets busy. When nutritious eating feels convenient rather than complicated, we're more likely to stick with it in the long term.
The next time you're building a bowl, whether at home or during a visit to your favorite Forage Kitchen location, consider the wrap potential of your choices. Those thoughtfully selected ingredients have double duty ahead of them, ready to fuel your busy life in whatever form works best for your schedule.
Ready to explore the wrap possibilities? Stop by Forage Kitchen today to explore our seasonal summer ingredients that taste just as amazing wrapped up as they do in a bowl.
Darlene is the co-owner of Forage and an expert in restaurant and food marketing, brand development, and public relations for small businesses. She specializes in creating compelling marketing materials, including ad copy, websites, and catalogs, to help brands connect with their audience.
