Quick Pickle Roll Up – A Protein Rich Snack or Appetizer
This pickle roll up proves that simple, real food ingredients can make a deliciously satisfying snack or appetizer. The recipe is an easy make ahead option for lunches, afternoon snacking, parties, holiday gatherings – or even a lunch. With its creamy, savory filling and tangy pickle center, this protein rich snack delivers plenty of flavor in just minutes.
✩ What readers are saying…
“Made these for superbowl party and they were a huge hit. I used homemade Dilly Beans and they were awesome! Thanks for the recipe.” -John
This super easy pickle roll up is probably our family’s all-time favorite appetizer and quick protein packed snack. Not only does it take just five to ten minutes to put together, it’s also so delicious that it’s always one of the first things to disappear at any gathering.
And of course one of the reasons I created the recipe in the first place was to have another way to use up my preserves of pickled beans, pickled asparagus, and dill pickled cucumbers. I love using these in different ways – especially when it’s a way I can share them with others.
I find myself bringing these to a lot of get togethers because the roll ups are made with just three basic ingredients, plus some seasonings, and make a nice low carb option for the often heavy-on-the-carb appetizer spreads. They are easily adaptable to different meat wraps and different pickle fillings – and even a roasted filling option.
Ingredient Notes
At it’s basic, the roll ups consist of:
- Sliced meat
- Cream cheese + seasonings
- Pickled vegetable (or roasted – see variation)
Within this basic list are lots of variations:
- Use sliced turkey, roast beef, or chicken instead of ham or salami.
- Use canned pickled beans from the summer’s garden, canned pickled spring asparagus, or quartered cucumber pickles.
- Use roasted green beans or asparagus! For a slightly different flavor, you can roast green beans or asparagus with garlic before rolling instead of pickled. This is a great option if you don’t have canned pickles on hand.
- Change out the seasonings, using dry in the winter and fresh herbs in the summer.
- Add a sliced sweet pepper or roasted white wine pepper to the center – either along with a pickled bean or on it’s own for a fresh, crunchy appetizer.
How to Make Pickle Roll Ups
Step 1: Soften the cream cheese and stir in the seasonings.
Step 2: Spread sliced meat with a teaspoon to a tablespoon of filling (depending on the size of your sliced meat), lay the pickle across, and roll up.
TIP: For most thin sliced meat, the cream cheese acts as a glue to keep them rolled up. If your meat is too thick to stay together after rolling you can use a toothpick to hold them together
You can store them in the fridge for 2-3 days easily, making this a great meal prep, party, or holiday make ahead option.
More Ways to Serve Pickle Roll Ups
Dinner Idea: I don’t only serve these easy roll ups for parties, though – I make them all the time to add to meals, especially if the meal doesn’t have a lot of protein in it. Like a cheesy cauliflower soup and salad meal along with this roll up.
Lunch Idea: I find the rollups to be a great stand in for a sandwich at lunch when I’m wanting to cut down on carbs. I don’t even miss the bread when I have a couple of these roll-ups along with a salad or some vegetables and dip.
Here they are pictured with ham and pickled beans. And honestly, with the meat and the seasoned cream cheese combo, you really can’t go wrong with whatever you use to put them together. It’s just a great combination overall.
I hope you enjoy them as much as our family does! Please leave a rating and review to let me know what you think!
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Quick Pickle Roll Up – A Protein Rich Snack or Appetizer
Ingredients
- 1/4 to 1/2 pound thinly sliced meat of choice* to get 12 pieces
- 3 ounces cream cheese (look for a brand without additives)
- 1 clove garlic, minced (or 1/4 tsp. dried garlic powder)
- 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning**
- 12 pickled beans, pickled asparagus, or pickled cucumber spears***
Instructions
- On a large surface, separate the meat into 12 individual slices (or however many appetizers you want if you have more or less meat).
- Soften cream cheese in the microwave for a few seconds until it's spreadable and mix in the garlic, black pepper and Italian seasonings (or other seasonings).
- Use a flat spatula to spread about a teaspoon to a tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture onto each piece of sliced meat (depending on the size of the slice – don't add too much or it will ooze out the sides).
- Place one (or two) pickled beans, asparagus, or dill pickle spear towards one end of a slice of meat and roll up. Place on a serving plate and continue rolling until all the pieces have been used. (TIP: If the roll ups won't stay together, seal with a toothpick.)
- Serve right away or store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 1-3 days before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
More Easy Appetizers
This recipe has been updated – it was originally published July 2013.
Made these for superbowl party and they were a huge hit. I used homemade Dilly Beans and they were awesome!
Thanks for the recipe.
So glad, John – everyone loves them when I serve them, too!
Love that these are low carb! Definitely a great keto appetizer that anyone could enjoy. Could not wait to make these for my family – they loved them. Thanks for sharing!
We make these with simple dill pickles, and then we slice them and use them for appetizers at our family gatherings, and they don’t last long on the plate!! I want to try them now with the asparagus – thank you!
These are delicious and very easy!!! I love fermented foods so I used fermented green beans ~ Thanks!
We love these! I sprinkled minced fresh herbs on the cream cheese layer before rolling. Tarragon, parsley, basil are good ones.
Ooo, yes, Cheryl – totally forgot to mention that, thanks!