Turkey and Cheese Roll Ups
This turkey roll ups recipe, also known as turkey pinwheels, is made with soft, flour tortillas, cold deli turkey meat, sharp cheese slices, and tangy, savory veggie cream cheese. With no cooking required, they’re quick to prepare and are a favorite for packed lunches, sporting events, picnics, or a healthy snack!
Looking for more ways to use tortillas? Try our creamy BBQ chicken salad recipe, sloppy joe quesadilla recipe, or chicken quesadillas next!
Why You’ll Love These Turkey and Cheese Roll Ups
We’ve been making turkey roll ups for years! Honestly, we’re not sure why we’ve never shared the recipe, other than the fact that it’s just so darn easy. But that’s what we do around here!
So, we decided it’s time. Without further ado, here’s why we love turkey roll ups and know you will, too:
- Quick and easy – There’s no dicing, cooking, or complicated prep. Just layer, roll, slice, and serve. You can have 48 rolls in 20 minutes or less!
- Minimal ingredients – Five simple ingredients are all it takes to create a refreshing, savory, creamy recipe that both kids and adults love.
- Versatile – Mix and match different fillings, swap out the tortillas, or add a dipping sauce to make the roll ups your own!
- Make-ahead friendly – Turkey roll ups are great to prep a few hours in advance, which comes in handy when we’re prepping for game day or hosting a party.
Ingredients and Notes
Please be sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the complete details!
- Tortillas – We use soft, flour, taco-sized tortillas so our roll ups are big enough to wrap all the fillings, but not so big that we have lots of remaining tortilla and unfilled ends. Opt for gluten-free tortillas, if desired. Corn tortillas do NOT work for this recipe!
- Cream Cheese – We use garden vegetable cream cheese for a brighter, savory taste, giving the roll ups extra depth.
- Cheese – We prefer Colby Jack or mild cheddar cheese, but any flavor works. Pre-sliced cheese is totally fine for this recipe!
- Slices of Turkey – We stick with a fairly mild deli turkey, such as oven roasted or honey roasted turkey, to add subtle flavor without overpowering the cream cheese.
- Lettuce – Use large lettuce leaves so they’re easy to wrap. Butterhead lettuce or iceberg lettuce works best.
How to Make a Cheese and Turkey Roll Up Recipe
- Spread the cream cheese. Spread the cream cheese evenly over a tortilla. Make sure it goes all the way to the edges! This acts as a “glue” holding the roll ups together.
2. Layer. Next, place two pieces of cheese side by side on one half of the tortilla, followed by the turkey and lettuce.
3. Roll. Starting at the end of the tortilla with the toppings, roll gently so as not to tear the tortilla.
4. Slice. Use a sharp knife to cut the tortilla in half on a cutting board. Then, cut each half into equal-sized pieces, and enjoy! You can also just serve the tortilla as a wrap. It’s still tasty, just not quite as easy to eat.
Possible Variations
There’s really no right or wrong way to make these turkey roll ups! Experiment with different combinations, and use them as a way to get rid of any extra produce you have on hand.
- Turkey – Use leftover Thanksgiving turkey, zesty crockpot shredded chicken, deli ham, deli roast beef, or salami instead of turkey.
- Cheese – Use provolone cheese, Swiss cheese, pepper jack cheese, American cheese, or any cheese you like best. Or, omit it completely if needed.
- Cream Cheese – Swap the veggie cream cheese for chive and onion cream cheese or any savory spread you like best. If using plain cream cheese, we like to add a dash of garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper for a little extra flavor. Hummus, guacamole, avocado, basil walnut pesto, and ranch dressing all make for tasty options, too!
- Veggies – Layer the roll ups with carrot sticks, celery sticks, sliced cucumbers, bell peppers, onions, fresh spinach, or sprouts for extra nutrients and crunch.
- Tortillas – Use spinach tortillas, or swap them out for lettuce wraps for low-carb turkey roll ups.
Our Favorite Ways to Serve
We often find ourselves serving these roll ups as a bite-sized appetizer! They’re great on their own and even better when added to a spread alongside other favorites like garlic bread pizza, vegan southwest egg rolls, and strawberry lemonade.
If enjoying them as an easy lunch, we add fries, veggie sticks, potato chips, or a fresh fruit salad. For a meal-prep option, wrap the rolls in plastic wrap or paper, and store them in the fridge for up to one day. Any longer than that, and the tortilla tends to get soggy!
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Turkey and Cheese Roll Ups Recipe
Equipment
- 1 knife
Ingredients
- 8 taco-sized tortillas
- 8 ounce garden vegetable cream cheese spread (see notes)
- 16 slices cheese slices (Colby Jack or mild cheddar)
- 16 ounces turkey lunch meat
- 8 lettuce leaves
Instructions
- Lay one tortilla flat and spread 1 ½ Tablespoons of cream cheese all the way to the edges. This will act as the “glue” that holds the rollups together.8 taco-sized tortillas, 8 ounce garden vegetable cream cheese spread
- Place two cheese slices side by side on one half of the tortilla. Then layer 3-4 slices of turkey and a lettuce leaf.16 slices cheese slices, 16 ounces turkey lunch meat, 8 lettuce leaves
- Start by rolling the end of the tortilla with the toppings gently but tightly. Roll until the Continue with the remaining tortillas.
- Cut each tortilla roll up in half and then cut each half into 4 pieces (¾ inch thick). You will have 6 rollups with 2 edge pieces that you can keep them to eat or discard.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Notes
Nutrition
Did you enjoy this Turkey Roll Ups Recipe? We’d love it if you left a rating and review to let us know, and don’t forget to tag us in your recreations on Instagram!
I have made these roll ups more times than I can count! They are so easy to pack for lunches and snacks for both adults and kids. You’ll love them!