People at the party love these Ham Roll Ups more than any other appetizer. They disappear in minutes, so make sure you make a lot of them.
Hello, everyone! This is Lindsay from That’s Low Carb again, and today I’m going to share a recipe that I had completely forgotten about until a few weeks ago.
We’ve been making these ham and cheese roll-ups for as long as I can remember. There was always a massive plate of these during every family function. As years have passed through for some reason they slowly began not being made.
Fewer family functions, less food, and just fewer family traditions. Sad how that begins happening as you get older and people begin moving away from each other.
Ham roll ups make a fantastic easy appetizer or addition to a lunch spread. With just a few simple ingredients like ham, cream cheese and green onions you can assemble these tasty bite-size morsels in minutes. The tangy cream cheese and bright green onion flavor pair perfectly with the salty ham.
Read on to learn how to assemble these crowd-pleasing ham roll ups and get creative with different fillings and garnishes With a few tips and tricks, you’ll be able to make restaurant-worthy ham roll ups at home to enjoy anytime.
Ingredients for Ham Roll Ups
The beauty of ham roll ups lies in their simplicity. Here are the basic ingredients:
- Thinly sliced deli ham
- Cream cheese, softened
- Green onions, thinly sliced
That’s all you need for the classic version. The thinly sliced deli ham rolls up easily around the creamy filling.
Some additional ingredients that work well:
- Fresh dill, chopped
- Dijon mustard
- Minced garlic
- Chopped olives or sun-dried tomatoes
- Chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts
- Shredded cheese like cheddar or Swiss
Get creative with different add-ins to match the flavors you enjoy most. Almost any soft spreadable cheese or savory mix-ins can be used.
How to Assemble Ham Roll Ups
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Lay out the ham slices – Make sure they are thinly sliced for easy rolling. Trim off edges or thick portions if needed.
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Spread a thin layer of cream cheese – Leave about a 1/2 inch border. Add any extras like minced garlic or mustard.
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Sprinkle the green onions – Use as much as desired. Other herbs or chopped add-ins work too.
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Roll up tightly – Start at one short end and roll toward the other end. Apply gentle pressure to seal the cream cheese inside.
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Slice into rounds – Use a serrated knife to cut the rolled up ham into 1-inch pieces.
Arrange the roll ups with the filling visible on a serving tray. Garnish with extra diced green onion if desired.
That’s all it takes to make these simple yet satisfying ham roll ups!
Serving Suggestions
Ham roll ups are very versatile in terms of how you can serve them:
- Appetizer on a tray passed around at parties
- Laid out on a charcuterie board
- Sandwich topping or snack paired with crackers
- Salad topping in place of bacon bits or croutons
- Toppings for bruschetta or flatbread pizzas
- Baked into a casserole or breakfast strata
- Accompaniment for soups or side salads
They make easy finger food for potlucks and showers too. Kids love the mini size.
For parties, secure them with decorative toothpicks and add other toppings like olives, pickles or cherry tomatoes for color.
Tips for the Best Ham Roll Ups
Follow these tips for success making ham roll ups:
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Use deli ham that is thinly sliced for easy rolling.
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Make sure the cream cheese is softened for easy spreading.
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Spread cream cheese in a thin, even layer so the ham rolls up neatly.
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Add minced green onion rather than long slices to distribute it evenly.
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Season the cream cheese with garlic powder, onion powder or other spices for extra flavor.
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Chill assembled ham rolls in the refrigerator for 1 hour to firm up before slicing.
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Use a serrated knife and gentle sawing motion to cut rolls into rounds.
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Serve ham roll ups the same day for the freshest taste and texture.
Favorite Filling Ideas
While cream cheese and green onion is the classic, get creative with these filling ideas:
- Pesto and sun-dried tomatoes
- Olive tapenade and feta
- Caramelized onions and Swiss cheese
- Jalapeño and cheddar
- Chipotle cream cheese with cilantro
- Hummus and chopped olives
- Herbed goat cheese with pecans
- Creamy spinach-artichoke dip
- Blue cheese mousse and walnuts
- Whipped ricotta with lemon zest
Mix and match different soft cheeses, herbs, spices, vegetables and nuts. Customize them to match the flavors your guests will enjoy most.
Make-Ahead Instructions
Part of the appeal of ham roll ups is how quickly they come together. But you can also make them in advance:
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Assemble completely then refrigerate for up to 1 day before slicing and serving.
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Roll up the ham around the fillings, refrigerate up to 4 days, then slice into rounds when ready to serve.
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Fill and roll the ham, then freeze assembled rolls for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before slicing.
With a little planning, you can prep ham roll ups ahead of time so they’re ready to go for parties or meals.
An Easy Appetizer Everyone Loves
Ham roll ups with cream cheese and green onion make a fool-proof appetizer for any occasion. They come together with just a few ingredients and minimal effort.
But you can also dress them up with gourmet fillings and toppings. Feel free to substitute toasted nuts, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, bacon or any of your other favorite flavors.
Keep ham roll ups in mind for your next party or potluck. The combination of salty ham, creamy cheese and bright green onion is sure satisfy a crowd.
What do you need to make these ham roll ups?
- Plain Ham
- Green Onion
- Cream Cheese
They really are that simple. I love easy recipes that still have a ton of flavor.
Some other options for Roll Ups:
1. Use another type of deli meat such as turkey or salami
2. Fill with a flavored cream cheese like garlic and herb or garden vegetable
3. Swap out the green onion for pickles, julienned vegetables, cheese, or crisp bacon
My husband was over the moon with these. He couldnt believe in the 11 years weve been together Ive never made these before. Truthfully, Im a bit surprised by that as well.
I make our families low carb buffalo chicken meatballs on a regular, along with a low carb twist on our keto drop biscuits that are inspired by my families drop classic biscuits, but these ham and cheese roll-ups somehow missed their spot on the menu, until now.