Pastrami Pickle Roll Ups are an easy appetizer recipe combining crispy, crunchy, tangy pickles with smooth cream cheese and savory pastrami.
When I first announced that I was writing the cookbook 101 Things To Do With a Pickle, my sister sent me this wonderful recipe for pickle rollups that she’d gotten from her sister-in-law. Some people also call these small bites Minnesota Sushi, which always cracks me up.
These appetizers combine crispy, crunchy, tangy pickles with smooth cream cheese and savory pastrami.
The combination is unbeatable, and they couldn’t be easier to make. Just start them a couple hours ahead of when you plan to serve them, so that the rolls can firm up before you slice them.
For more easy appetizer recipes, be sure to check out our Mini BLT Cups, Artichoke Cheese Wontons, and Mini Cheese Balls.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Amazing Flavor: Your guests will love the tasty combination of savory pastrami, smooth cream cheese and crunchy pickles.
Make Ahead Appetizer: These roll-ups can be prepared up to 2 days in advance, making them perfect for holiday parties and family dinners. It’s easy to multiply the recipe for greater quantities.
Easy to Make: It only takes about 15 minutes to assemble these pickle bites. Chilling them in the refrigerator will firm them up and make slicing easier.
Ingredients Notes and Substitutions
Here’s what you’ll need to make these tasty roll ups:
8 slices deli pastrami – These are also good with sliced corned beef or smoked ham. Some folks also like to make them with dried beef.
8 4-inch whole dill pickles – You can also use garlic pickles or spicy pickles if you prefer.
8 ounces cream cheese, softened – Use full fat cream cheese for the best flavor.
Assorted crackers (optional) – You can serve these rollups as is with toothpicks, or place each one on a cracker for extra crunch.
Make Ahead and Storage Instructions
These can be made up to 2 days in advance. Just assemble the rolls and refrigerate them. Plan to slice them into pieces just before serving.
Any leftovers can be stored, tightly wrapped or in an airtight container, for up to 2 days.
Recipe Variations
Before rolling up the pickle rolls, if you want to add a little additional flavor you can sprinkle the cream cheese with:
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Everything bagel seasoning
- Freshly ground black pepper
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Printable Recipe Card
Pastrami and Pickle Cream Cheese Roll Ups
Equipment
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
Ingredients
- 8 slices deli pastrami
- 8 whole dill pickles about 4 inches long
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- assorted crackers (optional)
Instructions
- Pat the pastrami and pickles dry with paper towels. Spread a thin layer of softened cream cheese on each pastrami slice.
- Place a pickle at one end and roll tightly like a jelly roll. Secure with toothpicks and refrigerate for 2 hours.
- Slice the rolls into 1-inch pieces and serve with crackers, if you like. Makes 32 appetizers.
Notes
Nutrition
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Eliza Cross is the creator of Happy Simple Living, where she shares ideas to help busy people simplify cooking, gardening, holidays, home, and money. She is also the award-winning author of 17 cookbooks, including Small Bites and 101 Things To Do With Bacon.
