Smoky, tangy and easy to prep, these smoked salmon roll ups are an easy party appetizer. Low carb, gluten-free, and ready in minutes.
While I love a good fried appetizer, sometimes it's nice to serve some lighter options as well. Our favorite lighter appetizers include these grilled caprese zucchini roll-ups, bruschetta and goat cheese stuffed mushroom caps, and smoked salmon roll ups.
With just three ingredients, these smoked salmon roll ups are the definition of simple. I think you're going to love them!
Reasons you'll โก smoked salmon roll ups:
- they are smoky, tangy, creamy and crunchy
- they are low carb, light and fresh
- they are simple and easy to prep
Ingredient Notes
- Cucumber- I've used long English, but you can use your favorite type. You will need 6-inch strips so be sure to avoid small cucumbers
- Cream Cheese- use plain or get creative with different flavors. Make sure to bring the cream cheese to room temperature to make it easier to spread
- Smoked Salmon- cut it into strips that will fit the width of the cucumber strips.
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Recipe Tips
How to make cucumber strips
To get your cucumbers to roll up easily, you'll need to slice the cucumbers very thin. You can do this in one of two ways.
Use a mandoline- a mandoline is a great tool to make thin slices of cucumber quickly, but make sure you use the handguard or a safety glove to avoid slicing your hand.
Use a vegetable peeler- a little slower and slightly tricky to get long slices, but it does the job. Placing the cucumber on a secure surface and applying pressure along the length as you make the peels will help get longer, more sturdy strips.
Blot the cucumbers
As cucumbers are naturally full of water, it can be tricky to get the cream cheese to stick to them. Blot the cucumbers with a paper towel to remove extra moisture before spreading to make this process a lot easier.
Secure with a toothpick
You'll need to secure your smoked salmon roll ups with toothpicks to prevent them from unrolling. Arrange them in a plate with the toothpicks pointing up to make it easy for your guests to grab a roll-up!
Variations
- Fresh herbs- consider wrapping up some fresh dill, basil or chervil in your roll-ups
- Salmon alternative- strips of ham or turkey could also be tasty wrapped up in these roll-ups
- Cream cheese alternative- cashew-based dips could be a great dairy-free alternative; make sure you use something thick that will stick to the cucumber and not slide off
More delicious snacks and appetizers
- Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
- Strawberry Balsamic Bites with Feta and Basil
- Strawberry Spinach Spring Rolls
- Sweet Potato Crostinis with Roasted Cranberries
- Crispy Parmesan Baked Green Bean Fries
- 10 Minute English Muffin Pizza Recipe
- Crispy Baked Zucchini Fries
- Foolproof Crispy Baked Kale Chips (+ 4 flavors)
Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!
Smoked Salmon Roll ups
Ingredients
- 1 long English cucumber cut in two and ends removed.
- ยฝ cup cream cheese softened
- ยฝ cup smoked salmon cut into strips
Instructions
- Using a vegetable peeler, peel the cucumber into 6-inch (approximately) strips.
- Blot the cucumber strips gently with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture.
- Gently spread about 1-2 teaspoons of cream cheese along the length of the cucumber.
- Press a strip of smoked salmon on top of the cream cheese, then roll the cucumber up as tightly as possible.
- Secure with a toothpick, if they don't say rolled up on their own.
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Tips:
- Fresh herbsโ consider wrapping up some fresh dill, basil or chervil in your roll-ups
- Salmon alternativeโ strips of ham or turkey could also be tasty wrapped up in these roll-ups
- Cream cheese alternativeโ cashew-based dips could be a great dairy-free alternative; make sure you use something thick that will stick to the cucumber and not slide off
Nutrition Information
© Sweet Peas & Saffron - Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
Debbie says
you can use a wide icing tip and put the cream cheese in a bag and just swipe it down like you would icing the cake. This way you dont have to take the time to "butter" the cheese on it.
Denise says
This sounds like a great timesaver! Great tip, Debbie!
Sarah says
A light sprinkling of garlic powder on the cream cheese (or mixed in) and perhaps some chopped hard-cooked egg
would be interesting, too.
Denise says
Sure! You can make them your own ๐
Linda says
I'm going to try this - it sounds delicious. But I think I may add a tweak of my own as I love the combination of cucumber and sweet pickled ginger. I'm going to put some finely chopped ginger onto the cream cheese before the salmon and see how that works. Or possibly some sweet mustard sauce like the type you have with gravlax. Should be interesting.
Denise says
Definitely sounds interesting Linda!
Kelly says
Oh no, hope Kai feels better soon! Something is definitely going around and we are slowly oh the mend too. So cute, my kids are obsessed with Paw Patrol - shoes, backpacks...jingle ๐ I however am obsessed with these roll-ups! Yay for fun and easy!
Danielle says
These rollups look so fantastic, Denise! I love how easy they are to make too. I'm also laughing over here about the Paw Patrol thing, my nephew is sooo obsessed with that too!
Denise says
Thanks Danielle! WHAT is it with Paw Patrol?! I really don't get it LOL!
Helen @ Scrummy Lane says
'Concepts' are some of my favourite 'recipes' to post, so don't feel ashamed - feel proud!
Absolutely love this idea, Denise, and will be pinching it for my next party! ๐
Denise says
Thanks Helen! I almost didn't post them...but they were too good not to. ๐
Ashley - The Recipe Rebel says
These are so fun for a summer party! Is Kai obsessed with Paw Patrol too?! What is it with that show that has taken over the world?? Lol. Halle is obsessed too but only gets to watch it occasionally on Netflix -- when I can handle it! Lol
Denise says
YES!! I totally don't get why he loves it so much, and his favorite character is the cat! LOL.
Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says
Aww poor Kai! Hope the little guys starts feeling better asap!! And ohhhh gosh, these roll-ups are flipping genius!! Simple appetizers are totally the best kind and you NAILED these!
Denise says
He's finally on the mend. Those stomach bugs are just nasty to little bodies ๐ Thanks so much Sarah!
Medha says
These roll ups look amazing! Love how they're low carb ๐
Denise says
Thanks, Medha!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I hope Kai is feeling better, Denise! My long weekend was busy, but I'm hoping this week will go by fast. These cucumber roll-ups are such a great idea! I love easy recipes like this. Such a fun party food, especially with that smoked salmon!
Denise says
He's finally on the mend, poor guy! And now I'm way behind and need to catch up on work LOL!
Pam says
This is a really great idea. So easy and my husband will love them! And I can see me doing this just with smoked salmon - flavoured cream cheese when I'm feeling extremely lazy. . . say around August when the humidity hits +40 in Ontario. LOL Thanks for this and keep the hot weather ideas coming. Much appreciated. ~ Pam
Denise says
Thanks so much, Pam! Ontario gets such crazy humidity, these would definitely be refreshing on a hot day ๐