When the holidays roll around, my kitchen can feel like a battlefield full of bubbling casseroles and hours of roasting. That’s why I cling to any recipe that gives me back precious time without sacrificing that festive feeling. Trust me, these Christmas Cranberry Turkey Roll Ups are the answer to that holiday prayer! They’re an appetizer, they take about ten minutes, and there’s zero oven time involved.
This idea actually popped right out of my little notebook of family secrets. Growing up here in North Carolina, my grandmother always kept a platter of quick, easy snacks out before the big meal—what she called ‘turkey spirals.’ I took that simple concept and gave it a soulful, cranberry twist. When you slice them, the red and white layers really look like a piece of Christmas ribbon, all perfectly swirled together. If you love easy holiday baking, you absolutely have to check out my recipe for Christmas brownie bites!
As someone who believes cooking should always be warm and rooted in connection, these roll ups prove you don’t need fuss to make something special. You’ll find this recipe perfect for your busy Christmas Meals!
Why You Will Love These Christmas Cranberry Turkey Roll Ups
I promise, these little bites feel like cheating because they are just so easy! They slide right into any busy Holiday Menu Planning list without causing stress. You get all the seasonal flavor without heating up the oven.
- They take literally 10 minutes to assemble—no kidding!
- Absolutely zero cooking required, which is a huge win in December.
- That perfect sweet-and-savory flavor combination hits the spot every time.
- You can assemble them the day before, making your party prep a breeze.
Gathering Ingredients for Your Christmas Cranberry Turkey Roll Ups
The beauty of these Christmas Cranberry Turkey Roll Ups is that they rely on just a handful of things you probably already have, or can easily grab while you’re already out shopping for bigger items. You don’t need fancy gadgets or rare spices here; it’s all about good, simple layering. We are using a few key players to get that perfect, festive flavor profile.
When you’re putting your list together, remember the details matter, even in a simple snack. For example, using sliced spinach keeps things neat, and that little bit of cranberry sauce is the star that gives us the holiday pop! If you’re looking for other simple ways to keep the kids happy during the season, I highly recommend my recipe for kid-friendly Cheerio granola bars.
Here is exactly what you need to pull this off in under twenty minutes:
- Light Mayonnaise: Just 1 tablespoon acts as our binder and spreads creamy goodness over the entire wrap.
- Tortilla Wrap: One standard wrap is all we need for the exterior shell.
- Roast Turkey Breast: We use 1 slice, and I always grab a nice deli cut—I’m loyal to the Tesco Finest when I can find it!
- Cooked Ham: One slice of a prime cut ham adds a nice salty counterpoint to the sweet cranberries.
- Baby Spinach: About 10 grams, but make sure it’s sliced thin so it rolls nicely.
- Cranberry Sauce: Just 1 teaspoon—remember, a little goes a long way to add that tart brightness.
- Black Pepper: Just a tiny bit to taste, nothing major.
- Crispy Onions: These are optional, but oh my gracious, they add the best crunch!
Essential Equipment for Perfect Christmas Cranberry Turkey Roll Ups
Since these are one of those wonderful no-cook appetizers, you won’t be dusting off the stand mixer, thank goodness! We are keeping things super simple here, which is why these are perfect for when you’re running around getting the main Christmas Dinner Recipes ready.
You really only need two things to make the magic happen, but I’m adding a third because I know how much we all hate fighting with plastic wrap!
- A Sharp Knife: This is non-negotiable! You need a good, sharp knife to slice through the chilled roll cleanly to get those beautiful, ribbon-like pinwheels. If the knife isn’t sharp enough, the tortilla will squish, and the filling will squeeze out.
- Plastic Wrap: Seriously, this is your best friend here. We wrap the whole log up tightly so it firms up in the fridge. This tight wrap is what gives us those clean edges when we slice later.
- A Flat Surface: Just a clean cutting board or kitchen counter where you can easily spread out your tortilla and layer everything without things sliding off.
See? Easy peasy. No fancy gadgets required for these fantastic Holiday Treats!
Step-by-Step Instructions for Christmas Cranberry Turkey Roll Ups
Putting these together feels almost meditative, like you’re creating little edible presents! Since we aren’t cooking anything, the assembly has to be precise so that when we roll them up, everything stays perfectly tucked inside. This is where we build those beautiful, festive layers that look so stunning on your holiday platter.
Remember, even though it’s quick, the chilling step is crucial—don’t skip that, or you’ll end up with a messy situation instead of elegant pinwheels. If you’re looking for another fun thing to put out for the kids, check out my recipe for sweet marshmallow popcorn mix!
Preparing the Base and Spreads for Christmas Cranberry Turkey Roll Ups
First things first, lay your tortilla flat open on your clean counter or cutting board. Next, take that light mayonnaise and spread it gently but thoroughly across the entire surface—wall to wall! This mayo isn’t just for flavor; it’s the glue that holds the turkey and ham in place and stops the other ingredients from sliding out later.
Layering the Meats, Greens, and Cranberry Sauce
Now for the delicious fillings! Lay down your slice of roast turkey breast right over the mayo, followed by your slice of cooked ham. Make sure they cover most of the area. Sprinkle that sliced baby spinach right on top of the meat. Then, take your cranberry sauce and spread it lightly over the spinach. Don’t glob it on—we just need a hint of tang! Give everything a light dusting of black pepper to season it up. If you’re being extra fancy, this is when you sprinkle on those optional crispy onions for an amazing crunch.
Rolling, Chilling, and Slicing Your Christmas Cranberry Turkey Roll Ups
This is the grand finale! Starting from one edge, roll the tortilla up as tightly as you can into a compact log. You want it firm! Once it’s rolled, wrap that whole log *super* tightly in plastic wrap. Tuck the ends in neatly. This log needs to chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. That chilling time is absolutely vital; it sets the filling so you can slice it cleanly later into perfect, 1-inch thick pinwheels. When you’re ready to serve, unwrap, slice, and admire your handiwork!
Tips for Success When Making Christmas Cranberry Turkey Roll Ups
Even though these Christmas Cranberry Turkey Roll Ups are wonderfully simple, a couple of little tricks from my years of making these for our family platters can make them absolutely flawless. Lilya Lawson here, bringing you the wisdom passed down from watching my Mama juggle a dozen holiday tasks at once!
The biggest thing I learned while perfecting these little beauties is patience during the prep. If your tortilla wrap is straight out of the package and cold, it tends to crack when you try to get a tight initial roll. Before you start spreading anything, let that tortilla sit on the counter for just five to ten minutes until it’s room temperature. Believe me, that tiny wait saves you from tears when you’re trying to get that perfect roll! It makes rolling so much smoother.
Another expert tip involves that star ingredient, the cranberry sauce. It’s tempting to slather it on generously, but you have to resist that urge. If you use too much cranberry sauce, it softens the mayo and the tortilla way too much, and by the time you slice it, you’ve got a wet mess instead of a pretty pinwheel. I learned this the hard way when I made a huge batch for a potluck one year! Keep that cranberry layer paper-thin. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully during chilling without turning things soggy.
Speaking of melding, these Holiday Treats are truly better if you give them time to hang out in the fridge. While the 30 minutes is the minimum I list, I always find that making these early the day before lets the mayo, the savory meats, and that tart cranberry sauce completely marry their flavors. They taste brighter and hold their shape so much better when they’ve had a good, long nap in the cold. If you’re looking for other things to prepare ahead for your festive spread, you simply must check out my guide on Christmas cookie recipes!
If you follow those two little rules—warm tortilla and thin cranberry—you’ll have the most festive and foolproof finger food on your entire holiday table.
Variations on Christmas Cranberry Turkey Roll Ups
Now, I love my original recipe for these Christmas Cranberry Turkey Roll Ups just the way my grandmother’s concept inspired it, but every cook needs a little wiggle room, right? Especially during the holidays when everyone brings something unique to the table! These are already fantastic as is, but sometimes you want to twist the flavor just a little bit to match your other Christmas Meals.
The base structure is solid—mayo, meat, cranberry, roll, chill—so we can swap out the greens and the cream element easily. Think of these suggestions as ways to customize your pinwheels without falling into a stressful baking rabbit hole! For more indulgent holiday favorites that still feel homemade, have a peek at my list of Christmas chocolate desserts.
Here are a few little tweaks you can try next time you make them:
- Swap the Greens: If you’re feeling bold, ditch the baby spinach! I’ve had great luck using fresh, peppery arugula instead. It adds a lovely sharp bite that contrasts beautifully with the sweet cranberry sauce. Don’t shred it; just use small, whole leaves so they lay flat.
- Add a Creamy Cheese Layer: This isn’t in the original, but if you want a richer texture, melt about 2 ounces of cream cheese until it’s soft—not runny, just softened! Spread this *instead* of the mayonnaise, or right on top of the mayo layer. That extra tang really rounds out the savory notes.
- Spice it Up: For a little warmth that works so well with turkey, try adding a tiny, tiny pinch of ground sage or even a whisper of smoked paprika to the mayo before you spread it. It won’t change the look, but it definitely deepens the flavor profile.
- Ham Swap: If you aren’t big on ham, you can use smoked roast beef in its place for another layer of deep, salty flavor that plays nicely with the cranberry. Keep the turkey, though, because that’s what makes them seasonal!
These small changes still keep the prep time under fifteen minutes but give you a slightly different take on a classic holiday appetizer. It’s all about making these recipes your own, honey!
Serving Suggestions for Your Holiday Food Platter
When you’re laying out your spread for Christmas, these Christmas Cranberry Turkey Roll Ups are going to be the starlet of the appetizer table! They are so colorful and cheerful, looking just like little festive jewels next to heavier dishes. Since they are soft finger food, they anchor the platter nicely alongside some crunchier items.
I always keep in mind that a good holiday platter needs balance—something creamy, something salty, and something bright—and these roll ups hit that sweet and savory note perfectly. If you’re looking to round out your morning spread before the big meal, I always suggest checking out my tips on Christmas breakfast and brunch ideas!
Here are a few ways I like to arrange my platter to make these pinwheels shine:
- The Crunchy Contrast: Always pair these soft rolls with something that has a good snap! Think simple toasted baguette slices, fancy crackers, or pretzel sticks. This contrast in texture makes every bite more interesting.
- A Simple Dip Helper: Even though they have their own creamy mayo base, I love setting out a small bowl of something cool and fresh nearby. Plain, thick Greek yogurt mixed with just a tiny bit of fresh dill is heavenly alongside the cranberry flavor. It’s so light, it doesn’t compete with the main Christmas Dinner Recipes later.
- Garnishes Galore: Make the platter look like you tried extra hard (even though we know you didn’t!). Sprinkle some fresh parsley over the open platter space. A few scattered pomegranate seeds around the base of the roll ups add another pop of red and crystal crunch—it looks like you spent hours arranging it!
- Pairing with Cheese: If you have room, balance out the turkey with a simple, mild cheese. Cubes of sharp white cheddar or something creamy like brie placed neatly beside the rolls make for a very classic holiday appetizer arrangement that everyone will love before the main event.
These roll ups are such a comforting, nostalgic snack, and when you surround them with some texture and freshness, your platter looks like the picture of perfect, stress-free Holiday Food entertaining!
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips for Christmas Cranberry Turkey Roll Ups
This is honestly the section that makes me sigh with relief every single holiday season. If you are anything like me, you want to get as much done the late afternoon the day before everyone comes over as possible, right? Well, these Christmas Cranberry Turkey Roll Ups are absolute champions when it comes to make-ahead magic. They are designed for exactly that kind of stress-free planning!
Because these little snacks don’t have anything that gets terribly soggy right away, they store like a dream. But—and this is very important—you have to treat that plastic wrap wrapping job with the seriousness it deserves, honey. This is what keeps the humidity from that delicious cranberry sauce from turning your tortilla wrapper soft before its time. I always aim to have them fully wrapped and ready to chill by dinnertime the day before the party.
For the longest shelf life, wrap each roll up *extremely* tightly. You want zero air getting near that filling. Store them flat in the refrigerator. They are perfectly fine hanging out in the cold for a full 24 hours like this. I find that when I make them in the afternoon, they are even better the next morning when the flavors have had a serious chance to marry. If you’re planning ahead, check out some of my very favorite ideas for cozy Christmas drinks and breakfast sides to compliment your make-ahead planning!
When you pull them out, resist the urge to slice them immediately. They will be rock hard! Let the wrapped log sit on the counter for about 15 minutes—just until it softens up a hair—before you grab that sharp knife to slice them into those charming little pinwheels. This simple waiting game ensures you get those perfect slices every time, making them a wonderful part of your array of incredible Leftover Turkey Recipes.
If you have any leftovers—which is rare around my house, I’ll be honest—just wrap them back up tightly. They taste just as good the day after Christmas as they did fresh, unlike some of the baked goods that dry out! They really are the perfect, reliable addition to your holiday spread because they hold up so well.
Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Cranberry Turkey Roll Ups
It’s funny how many questions I get about these simple little appetizers, but I love it! It just tells me you want to make sure your Holiday Treats are as perfect as possible. Since these are a classic make-ahead item, most people are concerned about timing and texture. I totally get it—we don’t want anything mushy when guests arrive!
I’ve gathered the most common things folks ask me when they’re planning their Christmas Cooking schedule. Even though they are so easy, a little extra insight goes a long way toward serving up the best possible pinwheels for your Christmas Food Ideas.
Can I make these Christmas Cranberry Turkey Roll Ups without mayonnaise?
Oh, absolutely! If mayo isn’t your favorite, or maybe you’re just trying to substitute while out of the house, we have great options that keep that vital creamy binder in place. My first recommendation is softened cream cheese. Just let a block of cream cheese sit on the counter for about an hour until it’s super soft, and then spread that around instead of the mayo. It adds a lovely, tiny bit of tang!
If you want something lighter, you can use thick, plain Greek yogurt, but make sure you drain any excess liquid first. You absolutely need that thick, sticky texture to hold everything together when you roll it up. If you’re looking for more fun simple recipes, you can always check out my tips on easy recipes for kids!
What is the best way to use Leftover Turkey Recipes in this preparation?
This makes me so happy to hear—I love using up the extras after the big meal! If you’re using true Leftover Turkey Recipes scraps instead of deli slices, you need to treat the turkey carefully so it disperses nicely in the wrap. Skip trying to use big chunks, because that almost always ruins the roll.
Instead, take your leftover turkey meat and chop it up really, really finely. I mean almost minced. You want it small enough that when you layer it over the ham, it distributes evenly across the entire tortilla. That way, when you slice that roll, you get little specks of turkey in every single bite, right alongside that bright cranberry flavor! It won’t affect the flavor at all, just the texture of the meat layer.
Are these suitable for Christmas Dinner Ideas that need to be prepared early?
Yes, they are practically built for early prep! In fact, I find them significantly better if they’ve had time to hang out in the fridge chilling. As I mentioned in the tips, this time allows the filling to set up firmly against the tortilla, making for those super clean slices we love. If you’re planning your full Christmas Dinner Ideas timeline, you can easily assemble these roll ups up to 24 hours in advance.
Just make absolutely certain they are wrapped tightly in plastic wrap—like they’re being preserved for a science experiment! Store them flat in the refrigerator. If you pull them out to slice them too soon, they’ll be rock hard and difficult to cut neatly. Give that log about 15 minutes on the counter to warm up slightly before slicing into those perfect 1-inch pinwheels!
If you are planning ahead, don’t forget to look at my guide for Christmas cookie recipes so you can get those sweet treats wrapped up early too!
Sharing Your Festive Christmas Cranberry Turkey Roll Ups
It warms my heart to know you’ve taken the time to try these simple, soulful Christmas Cranberry Turkey Roll Ups. Remember what I always say: cooking is about the love that connects us, and these appetizers are all about sharing joy without causing stress.
If these little pinwheels brought a smile to your table, I would absolutely love to hear about it! Down below, please hit those stars and leave me a rating. Tell me what you thought—did you add the crispy onions? Did your family love the sweet and savory swirl? Your feedback really helps me know what kind of comfort food to dream up next.
And please, if you snap a photo of your platter—especially if those red and white layers look just like little ribbons—share it on social media! Tag me so I can see how you’re celebrating the season. It genuinely makes my day to see my family’s traditions floating around the world!
If you have any questions that didn’t make it into the FAQ, or if you just want to say hello, the contact page is always open. Happy holidays, friend. Enjoy every perfectly simple, cranberry-kissed bite!
Amazing 5 Christmas Cranberry Turkey Roll Ups
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Lay the tortilla wrap flat on a clean surface.
- Spread the light mayonnaise evenly over the entire surface of the tortilla.
- Layer the slice of roast turkey breast and the slice of cooked ham over the mayonnaise.
- Sprinkle the sliced baby spinach over the meat layers.
- Spread the cranberry sauce lightly over the spinach. Season with black pepper.
- If using, sprinkle the crispy onions over the filling.
- Tightly roll the tortilla from one edge to the other, creating a compact log.
- Wrap the roll tightly in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to firm up. This step helps the roll hold its shape when slicing.
- When ready to serve, remove the plastic wrap and slice the roll into approximately 1-inch thick pinwheels.