If you’re trying to eat low carb, get more protein in your day, or just need a snack you can throw together in 5 minutes flat… these ham and pickle roll-ups are a must. My grandma used to serve them every holiday—simple, salty, and so addictive. These days, I make them weekly for quick lunches or part of a high protein box, and they’re still just as craveable. Low carb, no fuss, and only 3 ingredients? Count me in.
Pickles Cream Cheese and Ham Make the Best Zero Carb Snack!
- ✅ Zero carbs, or as close as you can get—less 1 net carb if you use regular lunch meat without sugar
- ✅ High in protein and super filling for how simple they are
- ✅ Meal prep-friendly—make a batch and stash them in the fridge
- ✅ Done in under 10 minutes with just 3 ingredients
- ✅ Easy to customize with turkey, roast beef, or Boursin cheese
And if you're tracking macros or shooting for more protein during the day, these give you that savory-salty hit without turning to a processed snack.
I started focusing on protein and cutting back on carbs after years of feeling like I was on a sugar rollercoaster. After my husband lost over 30 lbs doing keto, I shifted toward a high-protein, low-carb approach that felt more natural for my lifestyle. Recipes like this one are a total lifesaver for days you don't have time to sit down for lunch!
For more high protein low carb snack ideas you'll also love our 1 ingredient cottage cheese chips, microwave pepperoni chips, or chocolate protein brownie bites. Or check out more zero carb ideas like this one, we have a ton of ideas!
✨ Grab your free printable list of high protein foods to help plan more protein packed meals like this!
👉 Click here to get the list
Meat Roll Up Ingredients
This is the kind of recipe that barely counts as cooking (which is what makes it so great). You just need:
- Thin slices of ham – I like rectangular cuts the best for easy rolling. We used the rosemary ham slices from Trader Joes - so amazing!
- Small whole dill pickles – about the same length as your ham slices.
- Cream cheese – whipped is easiest to spread, but regular works too.
Macros (per roll-up): ~7g protein | <1g net carbs | 80–100 calories (depending on meat/cheese)
Variations & Add-Ins
- Mix ranch or hot sauce into the cream cheese for flavor
- Swap the ham for turkey, roast beef, or salami
- Try Boursin, goat cheese, or a dairy-free cream cheese spread
- Add a touch of horseradish like my grandma used to do - it adds a nice quick without being overpowering
- Add a strip of bell pepper or cucumber for extra crunch
How to Make Ham Cheese Pickle Roll-ups
1. Spread the cream cheese
Lay out a slice of ham and spread with ~1 tablespoon of cream cheese. Leave a little edge around the sides.
2. Roll it up
Place a pickle on one end and roll tightly like a jelly roll.
3. Slice or leave whole
Cut into 1-inch pieces for pinwheels (great for parties!) or leave whole for a grab-and-go snack.
Helpful Tips
- Not all ham is equal – Look for nitrate-free ham with 1g carbs or less per serving. Turkey or roast beef work great too.
- Whipped vs regular cream cheese – Whipped is easiest to spread, but has more carbs. Let regular cream cheese sit at room temp for 30 mins or microwave for 10–15 seconds.
- Make ahead tip – These store really well in the fridge for 3–4 days. I usually prep 6–8 at once and snack on them throughout the week.
FAQs
Yes! Our pickle and meat roll ups are keto friendly and make a great snack for low carb, high protein, or ketogenic eaters.
Each roll up less than 1 net carb if you use 0 carb pickles, 0 carb cream cheese, and lunch meat that's 1 carb or less per serving (each serving of lunch meat is typically 2-3 slice and you'll just be using 1 slice per roll-up). Whipped cream cheese has more carbs than regular cream cheese. Turkey might have less carbs than ham or salami.
Feel free to make your ham and pickle roll-ups with use Boursin cheese, dairy-free cream cheese spread, or with sour cream or mayo mixed with ranch dressing.
These ham and pickle roll-ups are sometimes called “Lutheran sushi”—especially across the Midwest. It's a lighthearted nickname that nods to how often they show up at church gatherings and potlucks (and how their little pinwheel shape kind of resembles sushi—if sushi involved cream cheese and ham!).
More Low Carb Snacks
- Bacon cream cheese stuffed mushrooms
- Mini Caprese on a stick
- Keto chocolate covered almonds
- Baked parmesan cheese crisps
- Boursin stuffed mini sweet peppers.
Recipe
Ham and Pickle Roll-ups with Cream Cheese
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoon cream cheese softened
- 4 ham slices in thin rectangular slices
- 4 small dill pickles
Instructions
- Spread about 1 tablespoon of softened cream cheese on each slice of ham, leaving approximately a ½" edge on all sides of the ham.
- Place the pickle at one end of the ham slice covered with cream cheese. Roll the pickle and ham into a log shape.
- Slice the ham and pickle roll-ups into 1" slices. They can also be left whole if serving them for lunch.
- The recipe makes about 24 ham pickle pinwheels.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
✨ Grab your free printable list of high protein foods to help plan more protein packed meals like this!
👉 Click here to get the list
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Linzy says
These were soooo good!
Sue says
I make these all the time just for snacks in the fridge. If you have available to you fresh dried beef at the deli counter, thay is THE best. I soften my cream cheese in the m'wave about 10 seconds. Makes it so much easier to spread. (Dried beef is cured beef..a little salty) not beef jerky. Don't used the pkg'd stuff if you don't have to.