Wrap vs Burrito: what's the difference and which one is healthier?
At first glance, a wrap and a burrito might look like the same thing: ingredients rolled up in a tortilla. But there are important differences in their preparation, ingredients and nutritional profile.
What is a wrap?
A wrap is a light dish that uses a thin tortilla (usually whole wheat or spinach) as a shell for fresh ingredients. The tortilla is typically served at room temperature or slightly warm, and the filling tends to be fresh and light: grilled chicken, raw vegetables, avocado, hummus.
What is a burrito?
The burrito is a dish of Mexican origin that uses a thicker, larger wheat tortilla, generously filled with rice, beans, meat (beef, chicken or pork), cheese, sour cream, guacamole and salsa. It is usually served hot and is considerably more filling.
Key differences
- Size: the burrito is bigger and heavier (400–600g vs 250–350g for the wrap).
- Tortilla: the wrap uses a thin tortilla, often whole wheat; the burrito uses a thick white flour tortilla.
- Filling: the wrap goes for fresh, light ingredients; the burrito includes rice, beans and more fat.
- Calories: a typical wrap has 350–500 kcal; a burrito can exceed 800 kcal.
- Temperature: the wrap is usually cold or lukewarm; the burrito is always hot.
Which one is healthier?
In general, the wrap wins on the health front. By using a whole wheat tortilla, more fresh vegetables and fewer heavy ingredients, it delivers fewer calories, more fibre and more vitamins. It's the perfect choice for anyone looking for a complete yet light meal.
That doesn't mean the burrito is "bad" — it's simply more filling and has its time and place.
Wraps at Lettus
At Lettus we've perfected our wraps to be flavourful without being heavy. Our best sellers:
- Chicken Wrap: grilled chicken with fresh vegetables and yogurt sauce.
- Mexican Wrap: with homemade guacamole, chicken and a spicy kick.
- Teriyaki Wrap: teriyaki chicken with wok-tossed vegetables.
- Kimchee Wrap: the boldest one, with kimchi and spiced chicken.