Savory Tortilla Roll Ups with Dried Beef

Disclaimer: Our editors have used AI to create or enhance parts of this article and some images. All content has been fact-checked by our team to ensure accuracy.

Coming up with crowd-pleasing party appetizers that don’t keep you stuck in the kitchen can feel like an impossible task. Between coordinating different dietary preferences and trying to prep everything ahead of time, appetizers often end up being more stress than they’re worth, especially when you’re hosting a bigger gathering.

That’s why these tortilla roll ups with dried beef have become my reliable go-to option: they’re quick to put together, can be made well in advance, and always seem to disappear from the platter first. Plus, you can easily adjust the fillings based on what you know your guests will enjoy.

What Kind of Dried Beef Should I Use?

For tortilla roll ups, you’ll typically want to use packaged dried beef (often labeled as “chipped beef”) which you can find near the canned meats or in the deli section of your grocery store. The most common brand is Hormel or Armour, and both work great in this recipe. If you can’t find dried beef, you could substitute with very thinly sliced deli roast beef, though it will give you a slightly different texture and saltiness level. Just remember to chop the dried beef into small pieces before adding it to your mixture – this helps distribute the flavor evenly and makes the roll ups easier to slice.

Options for Substitutions

This easy appetizer recipe is pretty adaptable and you can make several swaps if needed:

• Cream cheese: Regular cream cheese works best here, but you can use Neufchâtel cheese for a lighter option. Just make sure whatever you use is properly softened to avoid lumps.
• Dried beef: If you can’t find dried beef, you can use finely chopped deli roast beef or ham. You could even use turkey if you prefer, just make sure to chop it very finely.
• Dill pickles: Sweet pickles can work if you prefer a less tangy flavor. You can also try using cucumber if you’re not a pickle fan, just remove the seeds and squeeze out extra moisture.
• Flour tortillas: While flour tortillas are best for rolling, you can try spinach or sun-dried tomato wraps for added color and flavor. Just avoid corn tortillas as they’ll crack when rolled.
• Pickle brine: If you don’t have pickle juice, you can use a splash of white vinegar or even lemon juice to add that tangy kick.
• Red onion: Green onions or finely minced white onions work great too. If you’re not an onion fan, you can leave them out completely.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making

The biggest challenge when making tortilla roll ups is working with cream cheese that’s not properly softened, which can lead to lumpy filling and torn tortillas – leave it out for at least 2 hours before starting or microwave in 10-second bursts. Another common mistake is overfilling the tortillas; spread a thin, even layer leaving a 1/2 inch border around the edges to prevent the filling from squishing out when rolling. To get the cleanest cuts, wrap your rolls tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (overnight is even better), then use a sharp serrated knife in a gentle sawing motion rather than pressing straight down. If your dried beef is too salty, give it a quick rinse under cold water and pat it dry before chopping – this simple step helps balance the overall flavor of your roll ups.

What to Serve With Tortilla Roll Ups?

These creamy, savory tortilla roll ups are perfect for parties and potlucks, and they pair really well with a variety of simple sides. A fresh veggie platter with crisp carrots, celery, and bell peppers adds nice crunch and balances out the richness of the cream cheese filling. For a casual gathering, serve them alongside some potato chips or pretzels – the salty crunch is a great match for these creamy bites. If you’re hosting a bigger spread, these roll ups fit right in with other party favorites like deviled eggs, fresh fruit, or a simple green salad.

Storage Instructions

Prep Ahead: These roll ups are perfect for making ahead! You can prepare them up to 24 hours in advance, which makes them great for party prep. Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap after rolling and they’ll be ready when you need them.

Keep Fresh: Place your prepared roll ups in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days. I like to wrap them individually in plastic wrap first – this helps them stay fresh and prevents them from drying out. The cream cheese filling helps keep everything nice and moist!

Serve Later: When you’re ready to serve, just take them out of the fridge about 10 minutes before slicing. This lets the cream cheese soften slightly, making them easier to cut into neat pinwheels. Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts for the prettiest presentation.

Preparation Time	20-30 minutes
Cooking Time	0-0 minutes
Total Time	120-180 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1600-1800
• Protein: 50-60 g
• Fat: 110-120 g
• Carbohydrates: 130-140 g

Ingredients

• 16 oz softened cream cheese
• 4 tablespoons sour cream
• 5 tablespoons reduced-fat mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon pickle brine
• 1 1/3 cups dill pickles, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped dried beef
• 1/3 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 6 large flour tortillas

Step 1: Prepare the Filling

Begin by taking a large mixing dish and combining cream cheese, sour cream, light mayo, pickle juice, ground black pepper, and garlic powder.

Stir these ingredients together until they are well combined, creating a smooth and even mixture.

Step 2: Add Flavorful Ingredients

To the creamy mixture, add chopped dill pickles, finely diced red onion, and chopped dried beef.

Stir everything together until all ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the filling.

This will ensure each tortilla has a consistent flavor profile.

Step 3: Assemble the Tortilla Wraps

Take a tortilla and spread about 1/6 of the filling evenly over its surface using a rubber spatula.

Start rolling the tortilla tightly from one end to the other to secure the filling inside.

Once rolled, cover the tortilla with plastic wrap to help it retain its shape.

Continue this process until you have used up all of the filling and tortillas.

Step 4: Refrigerate and Slice

Place all the wrapped tortillas in the refrigerator and allow them to chill for a few hours.

This resting period helps the flavors meld together and stabilizes the filling.

When ready to serve, remove the tortillas from the fridge and slice them into 1-inch pieces.

Serve your delicious tortilla pinwheels as a flavorful appetizer or snack!