To make these easy appetizers, spread deli ham slices with cream cheese and roll them around a pickle. Then, cut the rolls into rounds. These delicious ham rollups are sometimes known as Polish sushi!.
This easy ham pickle roll up recipe goes way back. Everyone made these bite-sized appetizers for parties and family get-togethers back in the day.
Tasty pickle roll ups were one of everyone’s favorite appetizers. It used to be that we called them Polish sushi! Sometimes people call them Minnesota sushi, but that’s not just a Midwest thing!
Not only are ham roll ups the perfect party appetizer, but they also make delicious after-school snacks. My kids love them!.
During the holiday season, we like to serve these tasty pickle roll-ups with baked ham and cheese roll-ups and tortilla pinwheels. If you love pickles, add dill pickle dip to your appetizer spread. But, these bite-sized snacks are perfect all year round!.
You can find the simple ingredients for this 3 ingredient appetizer in just about any grocery store. Full amounts are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Ham, cream cheese, and pickle roll ups make for a fantastic easy appetizer or snack These tasty bite-sized rolls take just minutes to whip up, yet they look and taste gourmet. I love serving these at parties because they disappear fast! The sweet and salty flavors of the ham, tangy cream cheese, and crisp dill pickles pack tons of flavor in each bite. Once you learn how to make these simple yet scrumptious roll ups, you’ll want to add them to your regular recipe rotation
Why You’ll Love These Ham and Pickle Roll Ups
I’m obsessed with ham cream cheese and pickle roll ups for several reasons
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They’re super easy to make, with just 3 main ingredients. You can throw them together in just 10 minutes for a quick appetizer or snack.
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They’re customizable. You can use any type of ham or pickle you prefer to suit your tastes.
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They’re bite-sized finger food. The small rolls make great party food or appetizers for a crowd. No utensils needed!
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They’re full of flavor. The creamy, salty, and tangy flavors in each bite make your tastebuds sing!
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You can make them ahead of time. Assemble the rolls up to a day in advance and store in the fridge until ready to serve.
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Kids and adults both love these tasty bites! They make a great addition to a school or work lunch too.
Let’s get into the easy how-to so you can start enjoying these tasty little rolls!
How to Make Ham Cream Cheese and Pickle Roll Ups
Ingredients
For the ham cream cheese pickle rolls:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 tablespoon honey mustard or creamy horseradish sauce
- 8-12 slices deli ham
- 4-6 dill pickle spears
You’ll also need:
- Small bowl for cream cheese mixture
- Spreading knife
- Plate or baking sheet
- Plastic wrap (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Soften the cream cheese: Remove the cream cheese from the refrigerator and allow it to soften at room temperature for 30 minutes. You can also microwave it for 15-20 seconds at a time, stirring in between, until it’s smooth and spreadable.
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Make the cream cheese mixture: Add the honey mustard or horseradish sauce to the softened cream cheese. Mix together until fully combined.
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Assemble the rolls: Lay out a slice of ham on a clean work surface or cutting board. Spread about 1-2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture evenly over the ham. Place a pickle spear at one short end of the ham. Firmly roll up the ham around the pickle. Repeat with remaining ham, cream cheese, and pickles.
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Refrigerate (optional): For firmer rolls, wrap the assembled rolls tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. The chilling firms them up for easier serving.
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Slice (optional): Use a serrated knife to slice the pickle roll ups into bite-sized pieces. This makes them easier to eat without making a mess!
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Serve and enjoy! Arrange the roll ups on a platter and serve chilled.
Storage
Ham cream cheese and pickle rolls will keep for:
- Room temperature: 2-3 hours
- Refrigerated: 3-5 days
- Frozen: 2-3 months
To freeze, place assembled rolls on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Transfer to freezer bags or airtight container and return to the freezer. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
Easy Variations
Customize these ham and pickle roll ups to suit your tastes! Here are some easy ways to mix it up:
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Use different types of deli meat like turkey, roast beef, or salami.
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Try flavored cream cheese spreads like chive, jalapeño, or bacon.
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Mix in shredded cheese like cheddar or Swiss into the cream cheese.
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Use different types of pickles like bread and butter chips or jalapeño slices.
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Add spicy mustard, pesto, or tapenade to the cream cheese mixture.
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Stir in fresh herbs like dill, chives, parsley or cilantro to the cream cheese.
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Use flavored wraps like spinach, sun-dried tomato, or chipotle instead of ham.
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Substitute the ham for thin slices of grilled chicken or turkey breast.
Let your imagination run wild with different flavor combinations!
Serving Suggestions
Ham cream cheese and pickle roll ups shine as party appetizers. Here are some serving ideas:
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Arrange the rolls on a platter with an assortment of crackers and crudités for a DIY appetizer station.
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Skewer them onto frilly toothpicks or small skewers for easy pick up finger food.
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Slice the rolls into bite-sized pieces and serve in a bowl for grab-and-go munching.
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Stack them on a tiered platter or tiered stand for a pretty presentation.
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Pair them with a relish tray of olives, pickles, and pickled veggies for a themed appetizer.
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Serve them alongside grilled or baked chicken wings for a game day spread.
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Add them to a breakfast or brunch charcuterie board with fruits, nuts, bagels, and smoked salmon.
However you serve them, these ham cream cheese and pickle roll ups are sure to be a crowd-pleasing addition to any party or get-together. They’re great for holidays, game days, bridal showers, birthday parties, or backyard barbecues.
More Tasty Appetizer Ideas
Looking for more easy yet impressive appetizer recipes? Here are some of my other favorite crowd-pleasing ideas:
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Bacon jalapeño poppers – Jalapeños stuffed with cream cheese and wrapped in bacon, then baked until crispy.
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Caprese skewers – Cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil alternated on skewers and drizzled with balsamic glaze.
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Crostini bar – An assortment of toasty bread slices topped with Mediterranean-inspired combinations like tapenade, feta, tomato, basil, roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, etc.
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Baked brie en croûte – A wheel of brie cheese wrapped in puff pastry and baked until ooey-gooey, served with crackers and fruit.
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Pinwheels – Flour tortillas spread with cream cheese and fillings like ham, turkey, roast beef, veggies, etc. then rolled up and sliced into pinwheels.
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Sausage stuffed mushrooms – Baby bella mushrooms filled with spicy sausage and cream cheese stuffing.
How to Make Ham Pickle Roll-Ups
First, place a slice of ham on a plate or cutting board. I like to pat the ham dry with a clean paper towel to remove excess moisture.
Then, use a butter knife to spread a layer of cream cheese evenly over the piece of ham.
Next, dry the pickle off with another paper towel. This helps prevent the roll ups from becoming too wet and soggy.
Then, place the pickle on the short end of the ham slice. Roll the ham tightly over the pickle until it is wrapped around the pickle.
You will probably have a little extra ham around the ends. Just slice those with a sharp knife and treat yourself to a snack!.
Then, use a sharp knife to slice the roll up into smaller rounds. Aim for slices around 1/2-inch thick.
How to Store Ham and Pickle Roll Ups
Keep these tasty pickle roll-ups in a container that won’t let air in or on a platter or serving tray that has been covered with plastic wrap. They keep for about 2 days before they start to get soggy.
I don’t recommend freezing these appetizers.
I usually don’t add seasoning to the pickle wraps because the pickles and ham are already well seasoned. But you can make ham and pickle rollups with ranch dressing by adding a teaspoon or two of ranch seasoning.
To bring out the dill pickle flavor, add dried dill or fresh dill to the cream cheese. Pickle fans will love this addition! For stronger flavors, you can also spread some mustard, horseradish, or sriracha sauce over the cream cheese.
Make pickle roll ups with roast beef, corned beef, pastrami. dried beef (Buddig beef) or turkey. You can even make ham roll ups without the pickle, although it’s really not the same thing.
Look for thinly sliced deli ham or lunchmeat. It’s the easiest kind of ham to work with. Do not use thick slices of ham or super thin chipped ham or shaved ham.
Be sure to dry the sliced ham and pickles. Pat the ham dry with a clean paper towel before spreading on the cream cheese. Then, pat the pickles dry with a clean paper towel before placing on the rollup.