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Got a picky eater at home? Worry not! Make some turkey pinwheels to make the lunchbox meals more interesting! You can add any nourishing ingredients to this delicious appetizer. The best thing! You can prep ahead of time and get them ready within minutes when you need to serve! This means it is an amazing idea for office lunch, potluck side dishes, buffets, or outdoor summer picnics!

Contents

Ingredients For Turkey Pinwheels

8 oz turkey deli meat
1/2 cup softened cream cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup ranch dressing
2 tbsp chopped green onions
3 large flour tortillas (or 6 smaller tortillas)

Ingredient Notes and Variations

Ranch dressing: What incorporates most of the flavor in these turkey pinwheels is the creamy ranch dressing. It is loaded with herbs and spices. It is easily available at grocery stores.

Tip: You can make your very own homemade ranch dressing. Simply mix low-fat vegan mayo, sour cream, buttermilk, dill, Parsley, chives, onion powder, garlic powder, and lemon juice. Adjust salt and pepper up to taste. Your homemade ranch dressing is ready.

Cream Cheese: Cream cheese improves the protein content of the entire recipe. If you want to opt for a low-calorie option, you can use Greek yogurt but I recommend using cream cheese instead.

Cheddar cheese: Cheddar cheese has a unique milky and salty flavor. If you like, you can replace it with Feta or goat cheese too.

Tip: You can use sliced cheese as well instead of shredding it.

Green onion: Green onions lend a bold flavor to the filling and also give a crunchy texture.

Tortillas: Tortillas make the base of these delicious and creamy turkey pinwheels. Make fresh tortillas at home for the best results.

Tip: Use gluten-free flour to make tortillas to make it the perfect gluten-free potluck recipe.

Turkey slices: Turkey slices give a nice meaty taste to the Pinwheels. You can use any deli meat such as chicken or salami as well.

Optional Ingredients:

In the same recipe, you can add some herbs and seasonings, such as Garlic powder, Onion powder, paprika powder, etc. for additional flavor.

Load it up with more veggies like Spinach, which is a powerhouse of nutrients. You can also load it up with cucumber slices, bell peppers, and shredded carrots.

Turkey pinwheels are a savory snack. You can use alternate ingredients to give the recipe a unique twist.

Use smoked salmon and red onions to layer the tortillas. Add your favorite seasonings or spread Dijon mustard.

You can also make them using Salami slices, provolone cheese slices, chopped iceberg lettuce, or pepperoni. If you like salami, you can also make a dedicated salami pasta salad.

Make the pinwheels sweet by using any of your favorite nut butter, honey, and fruit such as banana or peach slices.

Tools You’ll Need:

A cutting board
A bowl for dough

How to make The Best Turkey Pinwheels

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes (no cooking required)
Servings: Approximately 18 pinwheels

Step one: Mix the cheese spread

Mix the cheese spread for turkey pinwheels -1

Mix the cheese spread for turkey pinwheels

In a bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, ranch dressing, cheddar cheese, green onion, and a pinch of salt and pepper.

You can also add a bit of mayonnaise or Dijon mustard if you like.

You can add your favorite seasonings such as garlic or onion powder at this time.

Mix it until it’s smooth and creamy.

Pro Tip: Since this recipe is highly customizable, you can add baked or fried meat slices of your choice (other than turkey) from bacon to beef. The range and choice is up to you. I love adding a layer of thin slices of beef.

Step two: Spread it out:

spread the cheese and mixture over tortilla for Turkey Pinwheels -1

spread the cheese and mixture over tortilla for Turkey Pinwheels

Lay out a tortilla, and spread about a quarter of the cream cheese mixture evenly over it, leaving a small border around the edges.

Place two slices of turkey evenly over the cream cheese layer.

If you like, place a second layer of spinach leaves, sliced cucumbers, bell peppers, and carrots. You can also add two slices of your favorite cheese on top of the turkey.

Step three: Roll it up

Cut the large roll of Turkey Pinwheels unto smaller pieces

Start at one end and roll it up like a burrito, making sure all the yummy filling stays inside. Carefully roll up the tortilla into a tight log.

Step five. Serve:

Slice each rolled tortilla into bite-sized pinwheels, about an inch thick. Arrange them on a plate, and they’re ready to serve!

Optional: If you like to serve the pinwheels cold, you can Pop your rolled-up tortillas in the fridge for about 30 minutes. This helps them set and makes them easier to slice.

Dig in and enjoy your tasty turkey pinwheels! They make a great snack, appetizer, or even a light lunch.

Storage and Freezing:

Refrigerate ASAP: Put the turkey pinwheels in the refrigerator as soon as possible, ideally within two hours of making them.

Temperature: Set your fridge to 40°F (4°C) or lower. This keeps the pinwheels safe to eat.

If using an airtight container, make sure it’s sealed properly to prevent air and moisture from getting in.

Freezing:

If you want to freeze turkey pinwheels, wrap them individually or in small batches in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.

Place the wrapped pinwheels in a resealable freezer bag to further protect them from freezer burn.

Store pinwheels at 0°F (-18°C): Your freezer should be set at or below 0°F (-18°C) for safe long-term storage.

Reheating:

Thawing: If frozen, take the turkey pinwheels out of the freezer and let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the pinwheels on a baking sheet or in an oven-safe dish. Reheat for about 15-20 minutes or until they’re hot all the way through.

Microwave: If you’re in a hurry, you can use the microwave. Wrap the pinwheels in a damp paper towel to prevent them from drying out. Microwave on a low-medium setting for 1-2 minutes, checking frequently to avoid overheating.

Make sure the internal temperature of the pinwheels reaches at least 165°F (74°C) to ensure they are safe to eat.

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5 from 1 vote