These Ham Roll-Ups are a delicious and fun snack ready in only 10 minutes!
Well, this was an interesting recipe—and not at all what I expected by the name. I think of ham roll-ups as slices of ham and cheese, rolled up into a neat little bundle. I never thought of using cream cheese, green onions (scallions), and pickle slices before. Yes, I know, some of the easiest recipes have eluded me all my life. All I know is that this combination brings salty, savory, and tangy flavors in one delicious, slightly crunchy bite.
Don’t worry if you don’t eat pork—I don’t either. This recipe works equally well with one of my favorite deli meats—turkey ham. Of course, you can also substitute other options, such as turkey, chicken breast, roast beef, pastrami, corned beef, honey ham, or bologna. Spicy deli meats are equally good, as the coolness of the cream cheese and pickles offsets the heat in slices of buffalo turkey, Nashville hot chicken breast, and hot honey ham. With so many different types of deli meat, you’re sure to find that your favorites work well with this recipe. Plant-based deli meat and cream cheese can make this recipe ideal for vegans. This recipe can also fit a low-carb lifestyle.
The trick to getting it right is to skip the thinly sliced meats, as they are most likely to tear when trying to roll them neatly for serving. Packages of pre-sliced meats often work well because they are often uniformly sized. If purchasing from the deli counter, explain what you will use them for and ask to see a slice to ensure they use the desired thickness. I like to use refrigerated pickles because they tend to have more crunch than those on store shelves. Make sure to dry your pickles before placing them on the cream cheese; otherwise, you’ll end up with a leaky, wet mess on your hands.
Rolling the stuffed deli slices is also a fun activity that children can help with in the kitchen. These roll-ups are ideal for lunchboxes, snacks, parties, barbecues, game days, and picnics.
Add variety to your roll-ups
Variety is the spice of life, especially when serving these ham roll-ups. If making them for a party, you can use multiple types of meat and pickles. For example, slices of pepperoni and salami work well with gherkins—those tiny, slightly sweet-and-sour little pickles. You can also use other pickled vegetables, like carrots, asparagus, green beans, and celery, in the roll-ups. A thinly sliced strip of romaine lettuce can bring additional crunch.
Another way to enhance your roll-ups is with flavored cream cheese. I like to use garlic herb, veggie, chive-and-onion, and even spicy jalapeño-flavored cream cheese, which works great. Make sure to let the cream cheese sit out at room temperature for a while to soften. Whipping the cream cheese before using helps make it easier to spread. And, while this recipe calls for green onions, you can also substitute fresh chives. You can even swap the cream cheese for goat cheese, mascarpone, or any spreadable cheese you have.
Other flavor enhancers for the cheese include roasted red peppers or sun-dried tomatoes—either finely chopped or sliced into thin strips. You can also add everything bagel seasoning, roasted garlic, ranch seasoning, or chopped fresh herbs. The possibilities are endless.
How do I store leftovers?
Refrigerate leftover ham roll-ups in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Enjoy them straight from the refrigerator or let them come to room temperature before serving. Do not leave them sitting out for more than 2 hours to avoid spoiling. I don’t recommend freezing leftovers.
Similar recipes to try
Ham roll-ups are a great finger food for parties, picnics, and buffet tables. Wrapped and rolled foods are fun to eat. Similar options include Bacon-Wrapped Pickles (Pickle Poppers), Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus, and, while you’re using cream cheese, these Mexican Tortilla Roll-Ups. Of course, one of the quintessential rolled foods is Keto Pigs In A Blanket. With a spread like this, your next party is sure to be delicious.
Ham Roll-Ups
Ingredients
- 16 slices deli ham about 1 pound
- 2 green onions finely chopped
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 8 dill pickle spears halved lengthwise
- Toothpicks for securing (optional)
Instructions
- Place one slice of ham on a clean flat surface.
- Mix the green onions into the cream cheese. Evenly spread about a half tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture over the ham, making sure to reach the edges.
- Place a halved dill pickle spear on one short end of the ham slice.
- Tightly roll the ham slice around the pickle. Secure with a toothpick if desired. Repeat with all slices.
- Serve immediately, or chill in the refrigerator before serving if you prefer a firmer bite. Optionally, slice rolls into bite-sized portions.
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