Jerky Pinwheel Wraps
Jerky, cheese, and seeds rolled in a flour tortilla. The pinwheel that travels without a cooler.
- calories
- 730
- weight
- 6 oz
- cal / oz
- 122
- protein
- 35 g
- serves
- 1, scales
- prep
- 10 min
- cook
- 0 min
- total time
- 10 min
- water
- none
- cost
- $$
Calorie and protein figures are my own estimates, good enough for planning a food bag and not meant as precise nutrition data.
- Lunch
- No cook
- Backpacking
- Day hike
- Car camping
- Eat in the bag
- Grab and go
- Shelf stable
- Basic
Ingredients
| Flour tortillas (large) | 2 | keep them flexing in a bag to avoid cracking |
|---|---|---|
| Beef jerky | 1.5 oz | slice as thin as you can manage |
| Hard cheddar cheese | 1 oz | grated or sliced thin |
| Roasted sunflower seeds | 1/4 cup | unsalted or lightly salted |
| Salt and pepper | to taste |
Method
- Lay out a tortilla on a clean surface or directly in your lap.
- Arrange jerky slices in a line along the bottom third of the tortilla, leaving an inch clear at the edges.
- Scatter cheese and sunflower seeds evenly over the jerky.
- Season with a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper.
- Roll the tortilla tightly from the bottom, pressing as you go to keep the filling from shifting.
- Wrap the roll snugly in foil or plastic wrap and press it firmly to help it hold its shape.
- Let it sit for five minutes, then slice into one-inch pinwheels using a serrated knife.
- Eat cold, directly from the foil.
Pinwheels are party food, but the concept works on trail. Swap out the mayo and fresh vegetables for shelf-stable jerky and roasted seeds. The tortilla sticks to itself through pressure—you don’t need a creamy binder, which is lucky because mayo spoils in a pack. Jerky and cheese are your protein, seeds add calories, and the tortilla holds the whole thing.
Assembly takes a few minutes and you can do it at home or at lunch. Slicing into pinwheels is easier on flat ground with a sharp knife, but you can also just unwrap and eat it as a roll if you’re moving. These don’t need refrigeration and they don’t spoil, which makes them one of the few legitimate finger foods on trail.
Packing
Pack each tortilla separately with the jerky, cheese, and seeds in a quart bag. Assemble at lunch or assemble at home and bring them ready to go. The foil wraps protect the slices from crushing.
Variations
- Skip the jerky and use thin slices of hard salami for a different savory note.
- Use roasted almonds instead of sunflower seeds if you prefer.
- Add thin slices of dried apple or apricot to the filling for a sweet-savory combination.
https://www.cookedandloved.com/recipes/pinwheel-sandwiches