Easy Dried Beef Pickle Roll Ups Recipe

My First Pickle Roll-Up

I first made these at a church potluck years ago. I was so nervous. I thought they might be too strange. But they vanished from the plate in minutes. I still laugh at that.

Everyone asked for the recipe. It was just three things from the pantry. That is why this matters. Good food does not need to be complicated. It just needs to make people happy.

Why These Little Rolls Work

Let’s talk about the flavors. You have the salty, chewy dried beef. Then the cool, creamy cheese. Finally, the big crunch and tang from the pickle. Doesn’t that sound like a fun party in your mouth?

They are perfect for little hands to help make. The cream cheese acts like a glue. It holds your tasty bundle together. What is your favorite salty-and-tangy snack? I would love to know.

A Handy Tip for You

Here is my mini-anecdote. My grandson once used pickles straight from the jar. The rolls were too wet and fell apart. We had a messy, delicious laugh.

So, dry your pickles well. Use that paper towel. This simple step makes all the difference. It is the secret to a neat roll-up. Your future self will thank you.

Making Them Your Own

You can change this recipe easily. Try a flavored cream cheese. Or use thin ham slices instead of beef. Make it just how you like it.

*Fun fact: The dried beef is sometimes called “chipped beef.” It was a common pantry item during the Great Depression. People got creative with it.

That history is why this matters, too. It reminds us to be clever with what we have. Do you think you will try the classic version first? Or make your own twist?

Perfect for Any Gathering

These are my go-to snack for game day. Or book club. Or just because. You can make them ahead. They wait patiently in the fridge for you.

Slice them in half with a serrated knife. It gives you pretty little pinwheels. They look so fancy but are so simple. What is your next party or gathering? These rolls are ready for it.

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
plain cream cheese	4 oz	softened
Baby Dill Pickles	16 oz
dried beef	5 oz	from a container

My Grandson’s Favorite Snack: Dried Beef Pickle Roll-Ups

Hello, my dear. Come sit at the counter with me. Let’s make a fun snack. My grandson calls these his “little flavor logs.” I still laugh at that. They are salty, creamy, and crunchy all at once. They remind me of bridge club with my friends years ago. We would always have something just like this. The best part? No cooking required. Your hands do all the work. Doesn’t that sound nice?

Let’s get our three friends ready. Soft cream cheese, tangy baby pickles, and salty dried beef. Now, follow my steps. They are very simple. I will tell you a little story as we go.

• Step 1: First, we need dry pickles. Pour them from their jar into a bowl. Now, give each one a gentle pat with a paper towel. This is the secret step. If the pickles are wet, the cream cheese won’t stick. (My hard-learned tip: really dry them well. A soggy roll-up is a sad roll-up!).
• Step 2: Take a slice of dried beef. Lay it flat on your plate. Use your butter knife to spread cream cheese all over one side. Cover it completely, like you’re frosting a tiny piece of bread. This cream cheese is our “glue.” It holds our whole snack together.
• Step 3: Now for the fun part. Place one dry pickle in the center. Gently roll the beef around it. Press the edges so they stick. The beef might overlap a bit. That’s just perfect. Sweet or dill pickles—which do you think works best here? Share below!
• Step 4: Keep rolling until your pickles are all gone. You can serve them whole. Or slice them in half with a serrated knife. That makes more pieces for sharing. They are good right away. But I think they taste even better after a night in the fridge. The flavors become best friends.

Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: About 24 pieces
Category: Appetizer, Snack

Three Fun Twists for Your Roll-Ups

Once you know the basic dance, you can change the music. Try one of these easy twists next time. They are all so good.

• The Garden Twist: Use a thin slice of cucumber instead of a pickle. Add a sprinkle of fresh dill to the cream cheese.
• The Spicy Kick: Mix a dash of hot sauce into your cream cheese. Use peppered dried beef if you can find it.
• The Everything Bagel: Roll the finished roll-up in “everything bagel” seasoning. It adds such a nice crunch and flavor.

Which one would you try first? Comment below!

Serving Them Up Just Right

These little roll-ups are perfect for a party plate. Arrange them on a simple platter. Add some green lettuce leaves underneath. It looks so pretty. For a bigger snack, serve them with crackers and slices of sharp cheddar cheese. They all go together wonderfully.

What to drink? For the grown-ups, a cold glass of crisp white wine is lovely. It cuts through the saltiness. For everyone, I love fizzy lemonade or ginger ale. The sweetness is a happy contrast. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Roll-Ups Fresh and Tasty

These roll-ups are perfect for making ahead. Store them in the fridge overnight in an airtight container. They will stay good for two days.

I do not recommend freezing them. The pickles get too soft, and the texture just isn’t right after thawing. I learned this the hard way once for a big party.

Batch cooking is a great idea here. Make a whole bunch at once to save so much time later. This matters because good food should be easy, not stressful.

Serve them straight from the fridge—no reheating needed. They are a cool, tangy treat. Have you ever tried storing them this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Common Roll-Up Troubles

Is your cream cheese too cold? It will tear the beef. Let it soften on the counter first. This makes spreading so much easier.

Are the pickles too wet? Dry them well with a towel. I remember when my first batch was soggy. Good flavor starts with this simple step.

Is the beef not sticking? Use the cream cheese like glue. Press the seam gently to seal it. This matters for neat, pretty roll-ups.

Fixing small problems builds your kitchen confidence. You learn that cooking is forgiving. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Quick Roll-Up Questions Answered

Q: Is this recipe gluten-free? A: Usually, yes! But always check your dried beef label to be sure.

Q: Can I make them ahead? A: Absolutely. They are best made a few hours before serving.

Q: What can I use instead of dried beef? A: Thin sliced ham or turkey works very well too.

Q: Can I double the recipe? A: Of course! Just use two containers of each ingredient.

Q: Any optional tips? A: A sprinkle of black pepper in the cream cheese is lovely. Fun fact: This recipe was a popular party snack in the 1960s! Which tip will you try first?

From My Kitchen to Yours

I hope you love these simple roll-ups. They always remind me of family gatherings. My grandkids gobble them up every time.

I would love to see your creations. Sharing food connects us all. Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest!

Thank you for spending time in my kitchen today. I am so glad you are here. Happy cooking!

—Anna Whitmore.