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Stunning plated serving of Cream Cheese & Dill Pickle Ham Roll Ups, a chef-tested recipe by Chef Jorj Morgan.
Jorj Morgan

Cream Cheese & Dill Pickle Ham Roll Ups

A in make-ahead appetizer architecture and acidic contrast. By utilizing thinly sliced savory ham as a structural wrap, this bite-sized hors d'oeuvre securely encases a highly stable, spreadable emulsion of rich cream cheese heavily studded with sharp, briny spicy dill pickles for a flawless textural crunch.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Wait Time (Chilling) 30 minutes
Servings: 32 pieces
Course: Appetizer

Ingredients
  

The Structural Foundation
  • 1 pound premium deli ham medium-sliced
The Briny Dairy Emulsion
  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened to room temperature
  • ½ cup spicy dill pickles thoroughly drained and finely chopped
Optional Seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon coarse black pepper to taste

Equipment

  • 1 Precision wooden cutting board
  • 1 Professional chef's knife
  • 1 Elegant ceramic serving platter
  • 1 Small offset icing spatula (for spreading)

Method
 

Mix the Filling
  1. Place the softened cream cheese into a medium ceramic mixing bowl. (Ensuring the cream cheese is fully softened is critical to avoid tearing the ham during application).
  2. Add the finely chopped, well-drained spicy dill pickles to the cream cheese. Using a sturdy silver spoon or spatula, aggressively fold the two ingredients together until the pickles are evenly suspended throughout the thick dairy base. Season lightly with black pepper if desired.
Spread & Roll
  1. Lay the medium-sliced ham flat on a clean, dry prep board.
  2. Using a professional offset spatula or spreading knife, apply approximately 1 heavy tablespoon of the cream cheese and pickle spread evenly across the surface of each ham slice. Leave a slight, ¼-inch bare border at the top edge.
  3. Starting from the bottom, tightly roll the ham slice upward into a dense, firm cylinder. The bare border at the top will seal the roll securely.
Chill & Slice
  1. Place the formed ham cylinders seam-side down onto a platter. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This critical resting phase firms the cream cheese, locking the structure in place for a flawless cut.
  2. Once chilled, use a razor-sharp chef's knife to trim and discard the uneven ends of the cylinders. Slice the remaining rolls into precise, uniform ¼-inch rounds.
  3. Arrange the spirals beautifully on a chilled ceramic platter or integrate them into a larger estate charcuterie board before serving.