Name: Salami Cream Cheese Roll-Ups Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 4 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 250 g / 8 oz cream cheese (Philadelphia, 1 block); 180 g / 6 oz sliced large salami (preferably hot salami, large round slices); 1/4 cup baby capers, drained; 2 tbsp finely chopped parsley or basil (or other herb of choice, optional); Crackers (e.g., Jatz crackers)

If you’re looking for a ridiculously easy yet impressive appetizer, you’ve got to try this Salami Cream Cheese Roll-Ups Recipe. I absolutely love how it comes together with just a handful of ingredients and zero baking. When I first made these roll-ups, my family went crazy—they’re the perfect combination of creamy, savory, and tangy, and they come together in no time. Keep reading because I’m sharing all my tips so you can nail this simple but delightful snack every single time.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Super Quick to Make: You can whip this up in about 10 minutes—perfect for last-minute guests or snacking.
No Cooking Required: It’s all assembly, so no stovetop fuss or oven waiting.
Crowd-Pleaser: My family seriously fights over these when they come out at parties.
Versatile Flavors: You can tweak the herbs and capers for your perfect twist.

The image shows a white marbled surface with a sliced meat and cream cheese roll. The roll has three visible layers: an outer reddish-brown salami layer with a coarse texture, a thick creamy white cheese layer in the middle, and green capers with small herbs swirled inside towards the center. The roll is sliced into about four pieces, with one piece lying on a round, white cracker that has a ridged edge. Nearby, there is a shiny silver knife and scattered capers. In the upper right corner, a shallow white bowl holds green olives with some light yellow lemon slices. At the bottom right, there is the blurred top of a glass filled with a light-colored drink. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Salami Cream Cheese Roll-Ups, easy appetizer recipes, no-cook party snacks, savory finger food, quick appetizer ideas

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Salami Cream Cheese Roll-Ups Recipe keeps things simple but packs flavor. The creamy cheese and salty salami pair beautifully, and the capers lend a little zing that wakes up your taste buds. When choosing your salami, I recommend picking a nice large, thinly sliced variety for easier rolling.

Flat lay of a block of fresh cream cheese on a simple white ceramic plate, thin large round slices of deep red salami arranged in a slight fan on a white ceramic plate, a small white bowl of plump green baby capers, a few sprigs of bright green parsley finely chopped on a small white dish, and a neat stack of rustic-looking golden crackers on a plain white ceramic plate, all evenly spaced and symmetrically arranged, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Salami Cream Cheese Roll-Ups, easy appetizer recipes, no-cook party snacks, savory finger food, quick appetizer ideas

Cream Cheese: I always grab a firm block of Philadelphia cream cheese because it spreads and rolls easily without sticking too much.
Salami Slices: Go for large round slices from your deli or supermarket—makes rolling a breeze and adds great flavor.
Baby Capers: These little bursts of tang are key—drain them well to avoid soggy roll-ups.
Fresh Herbs (Parsley or Basil): I like parsley for a fresh pop but basil also works wonderfully or skip if you want it extra simple.
Crackers: For serving, sturdy crackers like Jatz handle the roll-ups perfectly without falling apart.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love making this Salami Cream Cheese Roll-Ups Recipe my own depending on what I have in the fridge or what my guests like. Feel free to experiment! It’s such a flexible recipe that really welcomes your creativity.

Herb Swaps: I’ve swapped parsley for chives or dill when I wanted a different herbal note, and it always works great.
Spicy Kick: Add a smear of mustard or a sprinkle of chili flakes inside the roll for an extra flavor punch—I discovered this when I wanted something with a little heat.
Cheese Choices: Sometimes I mix in a sharp cheddar or smoked gouda with the cream cheese for richness and depth.
Meat Alternatives: If you’re not into salami, try prosciutto or turkey slices to switch it up while keeping things super easy.

How to Make Salami Cream Cheese Roll-Ups Recipe

Step 1: Roll Out the Cream Cheese

Start with cold cream cheese straight from the fridge—that’s important! Place it on a large piece of cling wrap, then cover with another piece on top. Use a rolling pin to gently roll it out into a rectangle about 13 by 9 inches. I sometimes let it soften just a bit if it’s too stiff; this makes rolling easier. If you don’t have a rolling pin, a clean can from your pantry works just as well. The goal is to get a flat, even layer that will be easy to roll but not too thin or fragile.

Step 2: Layer with Salami

Carefully peel off the top piece of cling wrap to expose the cream cheese, then lay down your salami slices so they slightly overlap and cover the whole cream cheese area. This helps the roll stay together and makes every bite super meaty and delicious. Cover with a fresh piece of cling wrap and gently press down, then flip the whole thing so the cream cheese side is now facing up.

Step 3: Add Capers and Herbs

Remove the cling wrap from the cream cheese side and sprinkle your drained capers evenly on top, then scatter the parsley or your choice of fresh herb. The little bursts of capers really elevate the flavor, so don’t skip them unless you’re not a fan.

Step 4: Roll it Up Tight

Starting from one long edge, roll the salami and cream cheese up tightly, peeling away the cling wrap as you go so it doesn’t get stuck in the roll. This is key to avoiding air bubbles and keeping a nice compact shape. Once it’s rolled, wrap it back up in cling wrap and twist the ends to secure. Pop it in the fridge for at least 4 hours—this chilling step helps everything set beautifully so your slices look neat and hold their shape.

Step 5: Slice and Serve

When you’re ready, unwrap and slice into rounds about a half-inch thick. Serve each slice on a sturdy cracker and watch your guests’ faces light up. These also look great on a charcuterie board or as finger food at gatherings.

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Pro Tips for Making Salami Cream Cheese Roll-Ups Recipe

Keep Cream Cheese Cold: Rolling cold cream cheese ensures it doesn’t stick too much; softening it can make rolling tricky unless you handle quickly.
Use Cling Wrap Generously: Don’t skip layering cling wrap—it makes rolling so much easier and keeps everything tidy.
Even Layering: Make sure your salami overlaps slightly to hold the roll together better and give each bite that perfect meaty texture.
Firm Rolling: Roll tightly but gently to avoid cracking the cream cheese or air pockets forming inside.

How to Serve Salami Cream Cheese Roll-Ups Recipe

The image shows a white cutting board placed on a white marbled surface, with several round, golden-brown crackers spread on it. On top of one cracker in the foreground, there is a pinwheel slice of rolled salami layered with cream cheese and green herbs, creating a swirl pattern with white, red, and green colors. Next to this, more pinwheel slices rest directly on the cutting board, with the remaining larger roll on the right side, showing the same layered pattern inside. A knife with a white blade and dark handle is blurred in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Salami Cream Cheese Roll-Ups, easy appetizer recipes, no-cook party snacks, savory finger food, quick appetizer ideas

Garnishes

I like to add a few fresh parsley leaves or tiny sprigs of dill on top for a pop of green, and sometimes a few extra capers scattered around the plate for flair. A light drizzle of olive oil or a sprinkle of cracked black pepper can also take these to the next level without overpowering the main flavors.

Side Dishes

These Salami Cream Cheese Roll-Ups go perfectly with crunchy raw veggies like celery or carrot sticks, and a tangy pickle plate on the side balances their richness beautifully. For parties, I often serve them alongside olives, nuts, and crusty bread slices.

Creative Ways to Present

Sometimes I arrange the roll-up slices in a spiral on a pretty platter with clusters of grapes and cherry tomatoes around the edges—it looks so fancy but is super easy. You can also skewer them on toothpicks with a small basil leaf for bite-sized finger food at cocktail parties.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftovers (rare at my house!), wrap them tightly in cling wrap and store in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll keep fresh and tasty for up to 3 days—perfect for quick snacks or lunchbox treats.

Freezing

I haven’t tried freezing these because I find the texture changes a bit once thawed. But if you want to freeze, slice beforehand and layer with parchment paper between rounds in a freezer-safe container, then thaw in the fridge when ready to serve.

Reheating

These are best served cold or at room temperature, so no reheating needed! Just take them out of the fridge 10 minutes before serving so the flavors soften and the cream cheese isn’t too firm.

FAQs

Can I use flavored cream cheese for this recipe?

Absolutely! Flavored cream cheeses like garlic and herb or chive can add an extra layer of flavor that complements the salami well. Just make sure the cream cheese is not too soft to make rolling easier.
What’s the best type of salami for these roll-ups?

I recommend large, thinly sliced rounds of salami found in many delis or supermarkets. Using hot or spicy salami like I do adds a nice kick, but sweet or mild varieties also work great depending on your preference.
Can I prepare these roll-ups ahead of time?

Yes! In fact, they taste even better after chilling for a few hours or overnight because the flavors have time to meld, and the roll holds together nicely.
What should I serve with Salami Cream Cheese Roll-Ups?

Pair them with crunchy crackers, pickles, olives, fresh veggies, and maybe some fruit like grapes for a well-rounded appetizer spread.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Salami Cream Cheese Roll-Ups Recipe has become one of my go-to appetizers because it’s just so easy and reliably delicious. Whether you’re hosting a party, packing a lunch, or just craving a quick snack, give this recipe a try—you’ll find it impresses without stress. Plus, it’s a fun one to customize with whatever herbs or meats you love. I can’t wait to hear how you make it your own!

Salami Cream Cheese Roll-Ups Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.4 from 50 reviews

Author: Lisa
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
Yield: 30 pieces 1x
Category: Appetizer
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Print Recipe

Description

A simple and delicious Salami Cream Cheese Roll recipe featuring creamy Philadelphia cream cheese rolled with large slices of salami, capers, and fresh herbs, perfect for serving with crackers as a flavorful appetizer or snack.

Ingredients

Scale

Filling

250 g / 8 oz cream cheese (Philadelphia, 1 block)
180 g / 6 oz sliced large salami (preferably hot salami, large round slices)
1/4 cup baby capers, drained
2 tbsp finely chopped parsley or basil (or other herb of choice, optional)

To Serve

Crackers (e.g., Jatz crackers)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Prepare the cream cheese base: Place the cold cream cheese block onto a large piece of cling wrap. Cover it with another piece of cling wrap on top.
Roll out the cream cheese: Using a rolling pin, roll the cream cheese into a rectangle approximately 32 cm (13 inches) by 23 cm (9 inches). The cream cheese should be evenly shaped and spread out. If you don’t have a rolling pin, you can use your hands or an unopened can to gently flatten it, ideally using lightly softened cream cheese.
Remove the cling wrap: Carefully peel off the top piece of cling wrap to expose the cream cheese rectangle.
Arrange the salami: Cover the cream cheese surface evenly with the sliced large salami, slightly overlapping the slices to cover the entire cream cheese layer.
Press and flip the roll: Cover the salami with a fresh piece of cling wrap and gently press down to ensure the salami is set. Then, turn the entire assembly over so the cream cheese side is facing up.
Add the toppings: Peel off the cling wrap to expose the cream cheese side, then sprinkle the baby capers evenly over the surface, followed by the finely chopped parsley or basil.
Roll up the cheese and salami: Starting from the long edge nearest you, carefully roll the cream cheese and salami into a tight log, removing the cling wrap as you go to avoid wrinkles or air bubbles. Roll firmly to create a compact roll.
Chill the roll: Wrap the finished roll tightly in the same cling wrap, twist the ends to seal, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or more to set the roll for easier slicing.
Serve: Once chilled, unwrap the roll, slice it into rounds approximately 1–1.5 cm thick, and serve with your choice of crackers.

Notes

The recipe uses large round slices of hot salami available at deli counters; these are easier to handle than small salami rounds.
Rolling the cream cheese can also be done using hands or an unopened can if a rolling pin is not available. Slightly softened cream cheese makes this easier.
Using cling wrap during rolling is a clever trick to keep the roll intact and to facilitate easy rolling and shaping, inspired by a recipe from Sugar Apron.
Nutrition information is calculated per piece, assuming 30 slices per roll, excluding crackers.