Turkey Pinwheels
Turkey Pinwheels
Table of Contents
I began making Turkey Pinwheels for my picky daughter to make her meals more enjoyable. They’re a clever way to sneak in extra healthy ingredients. This recipe is perfect for meal prep since you can prepare the cream cheese spread ahead of time. Plus, pinwheels are versatile and make a budget-friendly appetizer that’s easy to whip up for brunches, parties, and potlucks. It’s just like making a sandwich, but with a fun twist.
What Are Turkey Pinwheels Sandwiches ?
Turkey Pinwheels are created by spreading cream cheese evenly over one side of a flour tortilla, which serves as the adhesive. Then, layer classic sandwich ingredients and roll it tightly into a log before slicing it into 1-inch pieces. When turned on their side, each pinwheel showcases a beautiful spiral of the ingredients inside.
More Pinwheel Flavor Combinations To Try :
- Ham + swiss cheese + dill pickles + yellow mustard
- Salami + provolone cheese + iceberg lettuce + pepperoncinis
- Chicken + hummus + cucumber slices + tabbouleh
- Smoked salmon + red onion + capers + everything bagel seasoning
- Nut butter + honey + banana slices
- Nutella + toasted coconut + strawberry slices
Can you prepare Turkey Pinwheels ahead of time ?
Turkey Pinwheels are perfect for making in advance for a party or to enhance your weekly meal prep. You can store the cream cheese spread in an airtight container in the fridge for about a week. Pre-made pinwheels will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 2-3 days before they become soggy.
Pinwheel 101
Our easy Turkey Pinwheels recipe features deli meat, spinach, and a creamy spread reminiscent of pimento cheese. This versatile dish can be customized with various ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need for the pinwheels:
- Extra-Large Flour Tortillas: Burrito-sized tortillas are ideal as they roll easily, create a nice spiral, and yield more servings. Choose any flavor (plain, wheat, spinach, sun-dried tomato, etc.), but avoid corn tortillas since they tear easily.
- A Sticky Spread: Cream cheese is commonly used to hold everything together, but alternatives like hummus or nut butter work too.
- Deli Meat: Choose from turkey, chicken, ham, or salami, or substitute with thinly sliced veggies.
- Cheese: Sliced cheeses add extra flavor, while shredded varieties can be blended with cream cheese to keep them secure.
- Salad Greens and Other Toppings: Adding these enhances the visual appeal and balances the richness with freshness.
Turkey Pinwheels
Ingredients
- 4 oz. cream cheese softened
- 2 Tbsp sharp cheddar cheese finely shredded
- 1/3 cup pimento-stuffed olives finely chopped
- 1 Tbsp olive brine
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 4 extra-large or burrito-style flour tortillas
- 1 9 oz. package sliced turkey
- 1 cup spinach
Instructions
- Stir together the softened cream cheese, finely-shredded cheddar cheese, finely-chopped pimento-stuffed olives, olive brine, garlic powder, and black pepper until very well combined.
- Lay the tortillas out flat. Spread 2-3 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture on one side of each tortilla, coating the entire face evenly from edge to edge.
- Arrange 3-4 slices of turkey along the center of the tortilla, overlapping them as little as possible to make an even layer, and leaving about ¼” of the cream cheese spread exposed on the top and bottom edges of the tortilla to help it stick together. Then add a single layer of spinach leaves on top of the turkey.
- Starting with the edge closest to you, fold over the tortilla so it sticks, and then roll it up as tightly as possible, tucking in the fillings as you go.
- With the seam side facing down, slice the roll into 1″ wide pieces.
- Flip each pinwheel on its face, exposing the spiral, and transfer it to a serving platter or air-tight meal prep container. The pinwheels should hold together on their own, but if desired, you can insert a decorative toothpick into each.
