By Becky Hardin
Published Nov 3, 2025
When I need a quick party appetizer that everyone loves, I always reach for these ham rolls. They’re creamy, salty, and just the right amount of savory. They only take a handful of ingredients, and every time I bring a platter to a holiday gathering or summer BBQ, they disappear before I can even grab one for myself. Try to stop at just one, I dare you.
Tips for Beginners
- Prevent soggy rolls. Pat the ham and mix-ins dry before rolling. Too much moisture or making them too far ahead can make them limp. Chill at least 30 minutes before slicing so they firm up.
- Room temperature cream cheese. Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature so that it’s easy to spread.
- Don’t overfill. Spread the cream cheese in a thin, even layer and leave a small edge around the sides. Chill 1–2 hours before cutting to help the filling set.
- Rolls unraveling. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and chill before slicing. You can also secure each roll with a toothpick if needed. Use a sharp knife to slice cleanly.
- Choose the right ham . Use thicker-cut deli ham, not shaved. Pat dry before spreading the filling, and double up slices if they’re thin. Swap out the ham for other lunch meats if you want.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 8 oz. cream cheese 1 brick, softened, use a flavored cream cheese if you prefer
- ▢ ¼ cup diced olives green or black
- ▢ ¼ cup diced dill pickles
- ▢ 1 green onion finely sliced
- ▢ 10 slices deli ham
Video
Instructions
- In a large bowl, using a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese on medium speed until smooth. Add in the olives, pickle, and green onion. Mix on medium speed until evenly combined.
- Lay a slice of ham out on a cutting board. Spread a layer of the cream cheese from edge to edge.
- Roll into a tight log and transfer to a plate.
- Repeat with the remaining ham slices.
- Cover and chill for at least 1 hour.
- Slice each roll into 1 inch pieces.
- Serve and enjoy!
Equipment
- Hand Mixer
Becky’s Tips
- Feel free to use all olives or all pickles , if you prefer, or try swapping the olives for briny capers !
- You can add different fresh herbs, such as chives, dill, or parsley !
- You can skewer the ham roll ups with toothpicks for an easy-to-grab appetizer.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Ham Rolls Step by Step
Beat the cream cheese: In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to beat 8 oz. of softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
Add mix-ins: Add ¼ cup of diced olives (green or black), ¼ cup of diced dill pickles, and 1 finely sliced green onion. Mix again on medium speed until everything is evenly combined.
Spread the filling: Lay one slice of deli ham flat on a cutting board and spread a thin, even layer of the cream cheese mixture over the surface, going all the way to the edges.
Roll and repeat: Roll the ham tightly into a log and place it on a plate. Repeat with the remaining 9 slices of ham. Cover the plate with plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour to firm up the rolls.
Slice and serve: Once chilled, slice each roll into 1-inch pieces and arrange them on a serving platter. Serve cold and enjoy!
How to Store
Store leftover ham rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Enjoy cold. I do not recommend freezing the roll ups.
Serving Suggestions
These ham rolls are seriously addictive and loved by my friends of all ages. I serve them as after-school snacks for my kids or pass them around on game days with cheeseburger sliders . They’re also great on a party platter with potato skin bites or ranch chicken wings . You can even add them to a holiday appetizer table alongside crack dip or stuffed mushrooms.
More Easy Party Finger Food Recipes
Popcorn Chicken
Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
Beef Empanadas
Our Ham Rolls recipe was originally published 12/19/22. It was retested, reworked, and republished to be better than ever 11/3/25.
Ham Roll Ups (Ham Rolls)
Equipment
- Hand Mixer
Ingredients
- 8 oz. cream cheese 1 brick, softened, use a flavored cream cheese if you prefer
- ¼ cup diced olives green or black
- ¼ cup diced dill pickles
- 1 green onion finely sliced
- 10 slices deli ham
Instructions
- In a large bowl, using a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese on medium speed until smooth. Add in the olives, pickle, and green onion. Mix on medium speed until evenly combined.
- Lay a slice of ham out on a cutting board. Spread a layer of the cream cheese from edge to edge.
- Roll into a tight log and transfer to a plate.
- Repeat with the remaining ham slices.
- Cover and chill for at least 1 hour.
- Slice each roll into 1 inch pieces.
- Serve and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Feel free to use all olives or all pickles , if you prefer, or try swapping the olives for briny capers !
- You can add different fresh herbs, such as chives, dill, or parsley !
- You can skewer the ham roll ups with toothpicks for an easy-to-grab appetizer.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
