Okay, let’s talk about these amazing Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels. Seriously, if you need a super simple, *super* festive appetizer that everyone will rave about, you’ve found it! I first made these for a casual holiday get-together a few years back, and they were gone in a flash. It’s that perfect combo of creamy, tangy cranberry, savory turkey, all wrapped up in a soft tortilla. They look so darn pretty too, like little edible gifts!

Why You’ll Love These Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels

Seriously, these little guys are a lifesaver:

Whip ’em up in a flash: Prep time is practically nothing! You can find more quick pinwheel ideas here.
Crowd-pleasers, guaranteed: That creamy, tangy, savory combo? Everyone loves it.
So darn versatile: Perfect for holiday parties, game days, or even just a fun lunch add-in.
Festive and fun: They just look so pretty, don’t they? Like little bites of holiday cheer.
No baking required: No oven fuss, just mix, spread, roll, and chill!

Gather Your Ingredients for Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels

Okay, so for these totally addictive Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels, you’re going to need just a few simple things. Grab yourself 8 ounces of cream cheese – make sure it’s softened because that makes spreading SO much easier. Then, you’ll want about 1/4 cup of yummy whole berry cranberry sauce, and if you’re feeling fancy, about 1/4 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts. Don’t forget a little pinch of salt and pepper to make all those flavors pop! The stars of the show are six large flour tortillas and about a cup of sliced deli turkey. That’s really it – simple, right?

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels

Making these Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels is seriously a breeze! You’ll be amazed at how simple they are. First things first, grab a medium bowl and toss in that softened cream cheese. Add your whole berry cranberry sauce, those chopped nuts if you’re using them (ooh, crunchy!), and a little pinch of salt and pepper. Give it all a good mix until it’s nice and smooth. You don’t need a fancy mixer for this, just a spoon or a spatula works perfectly.

Next up, grab your flour tortillas, one by one. Spread about a quarter cup of that yummy cream cheese mixture all over each tortilla. Try to get it nice and even, but don’t stress if it’s not perfect – there’s a little wiggle room! Leave a tiny border around the edges so nothing oozes out too much. Then, layer about a quarter cup of your sliced deli turkey right on top of that creamy goodness. Make sure it covers most of the cream cheese spread.

Now for the fun part – rolling! Starting from one edge, tightly roll up each tortilla. The tighter you roll, the neater your pinwheels will be. Once they’re all rolled up, wrap each one really well in plastic wrap. Pop them in the fridge for at least an hour – this part is super important! It helps them firm up so you can slice them without them falling apart. Think of it like giving them a little nap! Once they’re chilled and firm, unwrap them and slice each one into about 1-inch thick pinwheels. And voilà! Beautiful, delicious Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels ready to impress!

Tips for Perfect Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels

Alright, listen up, because a few little tricks can make these Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels absolutely *perfect*. First off, use tortillas that are still nice and soft – if they’re sitting around for ages, they can get brittle and crack when you roll ’em. Trust me on this!

When you’re spreading that creamy cranberry mixture, try to get it as even as possible. It helps everything stay together. And when you roll? Go nice and tight! A loose roll means a messy pinwheel, and nobody wants that. Before you slice, make sure they’ve had that crucial chilling time. If they’re still warm, they’ll squish instead of slice cleanly. A sharp knife is your best friend here; a gentle sawing motion works wonders. You’ll get such pretty, neat little swirls every time!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels

You know, the beauty of these Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels is how forgiving they are! If nuts aren’t your thing, or if you have a nut allergy, just skip the pecans or walnuts altogether. The cream cheese and cranberry are still absolutely divine on their own. Or, you could even try some sunflower seeds for a little crunch! And while turkey is classic, don’t be afraid to mix it up. Good quality ham or even roast beef works wonderfully. Just make sure whatever deli meat you choose is sliced fairly thin so it rolls up nicely.

Make-Ahead and Storage for Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels

Oh, the best part about these Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels? You can totally make them ahead of time! Just follow steps 1 through 5 – mix that yummy cream cheese filling, spread it on the tortillas, add the turkey, roll ’em up tight, and wrap ’em in plastic wrap. Pop them in the fridge, and they’re good to go for a whole day, maybe even two. This makes party planning so much easier because you can get them done the day before and just slice and serve when guests arrive!

Serving Suggestions for Your Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels

These Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels are just so darn adaptable! For parties, I love arranging them on a platter alongside some mini quiches or a cheese board – they add a pop of color and a burst of flavor. Check out some other fun appetizer ideas here!

But honestly? They’re also fantastic for a quick lunch or a satisfying snack. Pack a few in a lunchbox, and you’ve got a mini meal that feels special. They’re super portable and don’t get soggy easily, which is always a win!

Frequently Asked Questions about Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels

Can I make these pinwheels vegetarian?

Oh, absolutely! If you want to skip the turkey, no problem at all. You can just layer on a bit more of that yummy cream cheese mixture, or maybe add some thinly sliced cucumber or bell pepper for a little crunch. They’ll still be super tasty!

How long do Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels last in the refrigerator?

These little delights are great for making ahead! Once they’re sliced and stored in an airtight container in the fridge, they usually stay fresh and delicious for about 1 to 2 days. Perfect for party prep!

Can I freeze these pinwheels?

You know, I haven’t had much luck freezing them. The tortillas can get a bit mushy when they thaw, and the cream cheese filling sometimes separates. They’re best enjoyed fresh or stored in the fridge for a couple of days!

Estimated Nutritional Information

Now, let’s talk numbers! Keep in mind these are just estimates, and the exact values can wiggle around depending on the brands you use and how generous you are with the filling. But, for about 3 of these yummy pinwheels, you’re generally looking at around 150 calories, 8g of fat, 7g of protein, and 12g of carbohydrates, with about 5g of sugar. They’re a fun little treat!

Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels

Author: memorecipes.com
Total Time: 1 hr 20 min
Yield: 36 pinwheels 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Easy and festive pinwheels perfect for parties or snacks, featuring turkey, cranberry sauce, and cream cheese.

Ingredients

Scale

8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
6 large flour tortillas
1 cup sliced deli turkey

Instructions

In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, cranberry sauce, chopped nuts (if using), salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
Spread about 1/4 cup of the cream cheese mixture evenly over each tortilla, leaving a small border around the edges.
Layer about 1/4 cup of sliced deli turkey over the cream cheese mixture on each tortilla.
Tightly roll up each tortilla, starting from one edge.
Wrap each rolled tortilla tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up.
Before serving, unwrap the tortillas and slice them into 1-inch thick pinwheels.

Notes

For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the cream cheese mixture.
You can substitute other deli meats like ham or roast beef.
These can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator.

Prep Time: 20 min
Cook Time: 0 min
Category: Appetizer
Method: No Bake
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 3 pinwheels
Calories: 150
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 300mg
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 12g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 7g
Cholesterol: 20mg

Keywords: Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels, appetizer, party food, easy recipe, no bake, cranberry, turkey, cream cheese, tortilla roll-ups