To add some excitement to my daughter’s meals, especially since she is a picky eater, I decided to start making Turkey Pinwheels. It’s a clever way to sneak in some nutritious ingredients without her even realizing it. This little trick has become a mom hack for me! Plus, the cream cheese spread can be prepared ahead of time, making this Turkey Pinwheel recipe perfect for meal prepping. Pinwheels are not only versatile, but they also make a budget-friendly appetizer that is quick and easy to whip up for brunches, party buffets, or potlucks. It’s basically like making a sandwich, but with a fun twist!
What are pinwheel sandwiches?
To prepare Turkey Pinwheels, start by evenly spreading cream cheese on one side of a flour tortilla, serving as the adhesive. Next, place the traditional sandwich fillings on top, and roll the tortilla tightly to form a log. Proceed by slicing the log into 1″ pieces, which will unveil a delightful spiral of the ingredients when each pinwheel is positioned on its side.
Pinwheel 101
To make pinwheels, you will need various ingredients such as deli meat, spinach, and a flavorful cream cheese spread inspired by pimento cheese. However, this recipe is highly adaptable and can be customized with a wide range of ingredient combinations.
MORE PINWHEEL flavor COMBINATIONS TO TRY:
CAN TURKEY PINWHEELS be made in advance?
Turkey Pinwheels are a perfect make-ahead option for parties or to add to your weekly meal prep routine. The cream cheese spread can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Additionally, pre-made pinwheels can be refrigerated for 2-3 days before becoming too soggy.
How to Make TuRKEY PINWHEELS – Step by Step Photos
To prepare the cream cheese spread, combine 4 oz. of room-temperature cream cheese (avoid using cold cream cheese as it can lead to lumpy texture), 1/8 cup of finely-shredded cheddar cheese, 1/3 cup of finely-chopped pimento-stuffed olives, 1 tablespoon of olive brine (this adds a thin consistency and eliminates the need for extra salt), 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper in a small bowl or air-tight container. Stir vigorously until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
You can make this delicious cream cheese spread, reminiscent of pimento cheese dip, in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. When taking it out of the fridge, allow the mixture to soften at room temperature for approximately 30 minutes before spreading it onto the tortillas in the next step.
Flatten each tortilla on a clean work surface and evenly spread 2-3 tablespoons (approximately 1/4 of the mixture) of the savory cream cheese spread from one edge to the other. If necessary, you can add more of the spread while rolling or after slicing, but it is recommended to do so at this stage for convenience.
Place 3-4 turkey slices in the middle of the tortilla, slightly overlapping them to create a uniform layer. Adjust the number and arrangement based on the size and thickness of each slice. For thinner slices like ours, overlap them more to ensure a satisfying bite in every bite!
Place a single layer of spinach leaves on the turkey, ensuring that about ¼” of the cream cheese spread is left exposed along the top and bottom edges of the tortilla for proper adhesion. It is recommended to remove the longer stems as an additional step.
Begin by folding in the edge of the tortilla nearest to you, making sure it sticks. Proceed to roll it up tightly, starting from that end and continuing until the opposite end. As you roll, ensure that the fillings are well arranged and tucked, ensuring each bite contains a variety of flavors.
Secure the exposed seam of the log against the cutting board before slicing it. Proceed to slice the log into 8 equal portions, approximately 1 inch wide, using a sharp knife. Exercise caution to maintain the shape of the pinwheels and prevent the filling from squishing out. You can rotate the log while slicing or make adjustments to the slices as needed with a good knife (as I have demonstrated!).
To expose the spiral, turn each pinwheel upside down and place them onto a serving platter or an air-tight container. The pinwheels should stay intact without assistance, but if preferred, you can secure them with a decorative toothpick inserted from the outermost edge to prevent any unraveling.
