About This Recipe
This no-cook appetizer features thinly sliced ham rolled around a refreshing cream cheese and cucumber filling. The preparation requires minimal ingredients and yields portable, protein-focused snacks.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in 15 minutes with no cooking required
- Contains only 6 essential ingredients
- Naturally low-carb and gluten-free
- Provides balanced protein and vegetable components
- Easily scalable for gatherings
Ingredients
- 8 oz (225g) shaved deli ham (thinly sliced)
- 4 oz (115g) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 medium cucumber, seeded and finely diced
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, minced
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Step by Step Instructions
- Pat ham slices dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture
- In medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, diced cucumber, dill, lemon juice, and black pepper
- Mix until fully incorporated (do not overmix)
- Lay ham slices flat on work surface
- Spread 1 tsp filling evenly along one edge of each ham slice
- Roll ham tightly around filling, starting from filled edge
- Arrange rolls seam-side down on serving plate
- Refrigerate 10 minutes before serving to firm texture
FAQ
Q: Can I make these ahead?
A: Yes. Prepare rolls up to 24 hours in advance. Store covered in refrigerator.
Q: What ham thickness works best?
A: Use shaved or ultra-thin sliced ham (approximately 0.5mm thickness).
Q: How to prevent soggy rolls?
A: Remove seeds from cucumber and thoroughly pat ham dry before filling.
You Must Know
- Cream cheese must be fully softened for smooth spreading
- Overfilled rolls may split – use 1 tsp filling per standard slice
- Thicker ham slices won’t roll properly – request “shaved” at deli counter
- For cleaner cuts: chill rolls 20 minutes before slicing crosswise
Storage Tips
- Refrigerate in airtight container up to 3 days
- Layer between parchment paper to prevent sticking
- Do not freeze – texture deteriorates upon thawing
- Serve chilled directly from refrigerator