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    Home > Appetizers

    The Best Turkey Pinwheels (Easy Recipe Ready in 20 Minutes!)

    Published: Apr 24, 2023 · Modified: Apr 23, 2023 by Valya's Taste of Home · This post may contain affiliate links · 26 Comments

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    These Turkey Pinwheels are tasty and healthy snacks loaded with vitamins, protein, and fiber, and they're also low in fat. Plus, it's a chance to get some veggies in, such as green leaf lettuce, tomatoes, or even sliced avocado. You can also customize these pinwheels by adding any of your family's favorite vegetables.

    These Turkey Pinwheel Appetizers are great, and healthy snacks loaded with vitamins, protein, fiber, and low in fat. Plus, it’s a chance to get some veggies in, such as green leaf lettuce and tomato.

    My kids need to more often than just breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and these pinwheels make the perfect snack. When they come home from school they're looking for something to eat right away, so it's very helpful to have something already prepared (I'm sure all of us who have kids will understand what I mean).

    If you don't have anything ready they will try to fill their stomachs with whatever they can get. Instead, I have an excellent and quick recipe for you to prepare and give them something healthy to throw into those little stomachs until dinnertime comes. And prevents them from attacking the pantry! 

    Want to learn how to make these delicious Turkey Pinwheels? Then keep on reading!

    Table of Contents
    • What are Turkey Pinwheels?
    • What Makes This Turkey Pinwheels Recipe Special?
    • What You Need to Make Turkey Pinwheels at Home
    • How to Make Turkey Pinwheels (Step-by-Step)
    • Tips for Making the Best Turkey Pinwheels Ever
    • Recipe Variation Ideas for Turkey Pinwheels
    • Ingredient Substitution Ideas
    • How Far in Advance Can I Make These Pinwheels?
    • Can I Make these Pinwheels the Night Before?
    • Can I Add Bacon to My Pinwheels?
    • How to Store Leftover Turkey Pinwheels
    • Similar Recipes You'll Love
    • Recipe Card
    • The Best Turkey Pinwheels (Easy Recipe Ready in 20 Minutes!)
    • Comments

    What are Turkey Pinwheels?

    Turkey Pinwheels are a roll-up of layered ingredients that contain turkey all on a square flour tortilla that is cut into slices. From the side, a pinwheel shows layers of ingredients that are served as an appetizer or a snack.

    They are delicious and healthy snacks that can be easily customized with your family's favorite ingredients. They're made by rolling up a mixture of turkey, cheese, and vegetables in tortillas or flatbreads.

    These pinwheels can be served as a snack or as part of a larger meal, and they are a popular choice for parties and gatherings because they are easy to make and can be prepared in advance.

    The ingredients can be varied to suit your taste, but the basic idea is to create a flavorful and nutritious snack that can be enjoyed any time of day.

    What Makes This Turkey Pinwheels Recipe Special?

    Easy to make: This turkey pinwheel recipe is extremely easy to throw together. They may look fancy, but you can have them ready in less than 20 minutes!

    Convenient: These pinwheels are great to have around for quick snacks, either for the kids or even for yourself at work. 

    Healthy: Loaded with protein, vitamins, and minerals, turkey pinwheels are a great alternative to fatty or sugary snacks. 

    What You Need to Make Turkey Pinwheels at Home

    All you need are some simple, pantry staple ingredients to make these delicious Turkey Pinwheels at home. Let's look at each of these in more detail:

    • Tortilla: We'll need some tortillas to roll the ingredients in. I have found that square tortillas work the best for this recipe. They can be found at Trader Joe's grocery store.
    • Mayonnaise: I prefer using homemade mayonnaise, which takes the taste to the next level. You may add a little bit of garlic juice and herbs to mayonnaise, like chopped dill or parley as well.
    • Turkey: We'll also, of course, need some turkey for our turkey pinwheels! I like to use seasoned turkey like sundried tomato turkey breast because regular turkey meat can be a little plain. Cracked pepper turkey is another great choice.
    • Cheese: You can use your favorite cheese, but I prefer using American cheese for this recipe. The slightly tangy and salty taste goes really well with the turkey.
    • Leaf lettuce: My preference is to use organic leaf lettuce, which enhances the flavor of these classic pinwheels. You can use regular lettuce too, just make sure it's fresh!
    • Tomatoes: During the tomato off-season, I prefer to use tomato on the vine for this pinwheel recipe. I find them to be a little fresher than buying individual tomatoes. 
    • Salt and pepper: Salt and pepper make everything more flavorful. You can add any additional seasonings too, like garlic powder or onion powder. 
    Simple ingredients on how to make the best turkey pinwheels

    How to Make Turkey Pinwheels (Step-by-Step)

    Making these Turkey Pinwheels is incredibly easy and takes only 20 minutes! Here's how to make them step by step:

    First, heat the tortillas in the oven for about a minute. Place them back in the bag and cover them with a towel so they stay warm without drying. 

    Take one tortilla and place it flat on a large cutting board. Spread out 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise on one side of the tortilla. 

    Next, place 2 ½ slices of cheese toward one edge of the tortilla. Lay out deli turkey breast folded in half on top of the cheese.

    Rinse a couple of leaf lettuce leaves and pat them dry with a paper towel. Place them on top of the turkey meat.

    Place three slices of tomatoes on top of the lettuce, then sprinkle some salt and pepper to taste. 

    Finally, gently roll the loaded tortilla tightly and slice it into 1-inch thick slices using a sharp knife.

    Your delicious Turkey Pinwheels are ready to be served!

    These Turkey Pinwheel Appetizers are great, and healthy snacks loaded with vitamins, protein, fiber, and low in fat. Plus, it’s a chance to get some veggies in, such as green leaf lettuce and tomato.

    Tips for Making the Best Turkey Pinwheels Ever

    Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees before heating the tortillas. This will help warm them up quickly and evenly.

    Don't overload the tortillas: Be sure not to overstuff the pinwheels, as they’ll be hard to roll if too full. Unroll them and take out some ingredients if they come out too big. 

    Use cold ingredients: Make sure all ingredients are cooled before rolling. Warm ingredients may cause the tortillas to become soggy and difficult to roll up.

    Recipe Variation Ideas for Turkey Pinwheels

    • Change the meat: Try swapping out the turkey for other kinds of meat for a whole different flavor. Ham, pepperoni, and salami are all good choices. 
    • Different sauce: If you're not a fan of mayonnaise, you can substitute it for other spreads like ranch dressing or mustard.
    • Breakfast-inspired: Another idea is to use turkey, scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, and spinach to create a breakfast-style pinwheel. Serve with a side of fruit salad for a complete meal.
    • Veggie-filled: Use turkey, hummus, cucumber, bell pepper, and avocado to create a healthy, vegetable-filled pinwheel. Serve with a side salad for a light lunch or dinner.
    • Greek-inspired version: You can use turkey, spinach, feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and olives to create a Mediterranean-style pinwheel. Serve with tzatziki sauce for dipping.
    These Turkey Pinwheel Appetizers are great, and healthy snacks loaded with vitamins, protein, fiber, and low in fat. Plus, it’s a chance to get some veggies in, such as green leaf lettuce and tomato.

    Ingredient Substitution Ideas

    If you are allergic to any ingredient or it simply isn't your favorite then you may substitute it with your favorite one. Here are some easy ways to substitute them:

    • Mayonnaise: Instead of mayo, you can use regular or whipped cream cheese.
    • American cheese: Some substitution ideas are Provolone, Colby jack, cheddar cheese, or Monterey jack.
    • Green leaf lettuce: You can use your favorite greens like spinach, red leaf lettuce, or even romaine lettuce.
    • Tortilla: If you're gluten intolerant, you may use some gluten-free tortillas or almond flour tortillas.

    How Far in Advance Can I Make These Pinwheels?

    These classic tortilla turkey pinwheel appetizers can be made 4 - 6 hours in advance and kept refrigerated until ready to serve.

    Can I Make these Pinwheels the Night Before?

    If you are planning on using fresh vegetables like leaf lettuce and tomatoes in your pinwheels, then I would not recommend making these pinwheels the night before as your vegetables will be soggy and wilted.

    Can I Add Bacon to My Pinwheels?

    Yes, absolutely! Be creative! You can make these as BLT Pinwheels. In my opinion, crispy bacon makes everything taste better! Check out the full tutorial on How to Broil Bacon in the Oven.

    How to Store Leftover Turkey Pinwheels

    Leftover turkey pinwheels can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days. To store them, place the pinwheels in an airtight container or Ziploc bag. Make sure you press out as much air as possible before sealing the container or bag. This will help keep your pinwheels fresh and delicious when you are ready to eat them again.

    When you're ready to eat them, simply remove them from the container and reheat in the oven for a few minutes.

    These Turkey Pinwheel Appetizers are great, and healthy snacks loaded with vitamins, protein, fiber, and low in fat. Plus, it’s a chance to get some veggies in, such as green leaf lettuce and tomato.

    Similar Recipes You'll Love

    • Turkey Croissan'wich Appetizers
    • Turkey Sandwich Recipe

    Recipe Card

    These Turkey Pinwheel Appetizers are great, and healthy snacks loaded with vitamins, protein, fiber, and low in fat. Plus, it’s a chance to get some veggies in, such as green leaf lettuce and tomato.

    The Best Turkey Pinwheels (Easy Recipe Ready in 20 Minutes!)

    Valya's Taste of Home
    These Turkey Pinwheels are great, healthy snacks that are loaded with vitamins, fiber, and are low in fat. Plus, you can easily make them in just 20 minutes!
    3.77 from 43 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine American
    Servings 28 pinwheels

    Ingredients
      

    Tortilla Pinwheels AppetizersIngredients

    • 8 - green/red leaf lettuce leaves
    • 2 - tomatoes
    • 1 pack - tortilla wraps
    • 8 oz. - deli turkey meat
    • 4 tbs. - mayonnaise (I used homemade mayonnaise)
    • 6 slices - American cheese
    Read More

    Instructions
     

    How to Make Turkey Pinwheels

    • Making these Turkey Pinwheels is incredibly easy and takes only 20 minutes! Here's how to make them step by step:
    • First, heat the tortillas in the oven for about a minute. Place them back in the bag and cover them with a towel so they stay warm without drying.
    • Take one tortilla and place it flat on a large cutting board. Spread out 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise on one side of the tortilla.
    • Next, place 2 ½ slices of cheese toward one edge of the tortilla. Lay out deli turkey breast folded in half on top of the cheese.
    • Rinse a couple of leaf lettuce leaves and pat them dry with a paper towel. Place them on top of the turkey meat.
    • Place three slices of tomatoes on top of the lettuce, then sprinkle some salt and pepper to taste.
    • Finally, gently roll the loaded tortilla tightly and slice it into 1-inch thick slices using a sharp knife.
    • Your delicious Turkey Pinwheels are ready to be served!
    Tried this recipe?Share your photo on Instagram @valyastasteofhome or tag #valyastasteofhome!
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    This recipe was originally posted on October 4, 2014 (original picture below), and updated for a better user experience. The post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure.

    Turkey Pinwheels Appetizers

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    Comments

    1. Taylor S Seabolt says

      March 09, 2023 at 7:06 am

      Hello,
      What is the brand of Flatbread you used. Was is Lavash from Trader Joe's?

      Reply
      • Valya's Taste of Home says

        March 09, 2023 at 6:34 pm

        Trader Joe's is the name of the grocery store I got the flatbread. You can find flatbread at most grocery stores in the deli or bread department areas. Also, you can use the flatbread of your choice for this recipe. Thanks for asking!

        Reply
    2. Lyuda says

      January 10, 2019 at 7:42 pm

      5 stars
      I'm so glad I came across your website. Best wishes to your family this year!

      I tried these and they were amazing!

      Reply
      • Valya of Valya's Taste of Home says

        January 10, 2019 at 11:04 pm

        Welcome to my website Lyuda! I'm so happy to hear you like these pinwheels, we love them as well. Best wishes to you as well dear! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Anna says

      August 13, 2017 at 6:51 am

      Stupid question....how many days are this good in the fridge? I'm trying to find ideas for school lunches that I can make ahead.
      Thanks!

      Reply
      • valya'stasteofhome.com says

        August 14, 2017 at 10:46 pm

        Hi Anna! The tomatoes will water and make them soggy. They are perfect to make ahead with addition of other vegetables like cucumbers, avocado etc... Hope this helps. Thank you for topping by! 🙂

        Reply
    4. Natalie Ash says

      July 31, 2017 at 6:18 pm

      5 stars
      This is great snacks, lunch, dinner idea!

      Reply
      • valya'stasteofhome.com says

        July 31, 2017 at 11:02 pm

        Yes they are, and kids absolutely love them.

        Reply
    5. Svetlana Lyapchuk says

      April 28, 2017 at 8:28 pm

      Would you recommend this for meal prep? How long can it stay in the fridge?

      Reply
      • valya'stasteofhome.com says

        April 28, 2017 at 11:05 pm

        Of course! It can be refrigerated for up to 6 hours. Just cover them with a plastic food wrap to prevent from drying out. Enjoy!

        Reply
    6. Olga says

      April 22, 2017 at 5:53 am

      That looks good. I'm definitely going to try this,we eat healthy foods,&no pop in the house,we grew up with no pop only for family gathering,but my stomach doesn't asept almost all of them. Thanks for sharing,God bless u. Just found your website,food & everything looks delicious.

      Reply
      • valya'stasteofhome.com says

        April 22, 2017 at 11:08 am

        Hi Olga and welcome to my food blog website! Healthy eating is the way to go. I consider having a dessert is totally normal healthy living if the dessert is prepared with healthy ingredients and served in small portions. I hope you enjoy my recipes!

        Reply
        • Olga says

          April 22, 2017 at 3:58 pm

          Yes,we really liked it,even my 3yr old girl did. Yes,i like to bake,but not a lot. Want to make those Easter eggs,i think that's what there called.

          Reply
          • valya'stasteofhome.com says

            April 22, 2017 at 5:33 pm

            I'm glad your family liked it. Great way to feed kids vegetables 😉

            Reply
            • Olga says

              April 26, 2017 at 8:53 pm

              Yes,very true. Me,& my whole family love to cook and try new stuff. I'm half Russian and half German. God bless you!

            • valya'stasteofhome.com says

              April 26, 2017 at 10:46 pm

              That's awesome! God's blessings to you and your family as well!

    7. Olya says

      July 23, 2016 at 7:13 pm

      Where do you buy the flat bread? Would tortilla work as well?

      Reply
      • valya'stasteofhome.com says

        July 23, 2016 at 9:14 pm

        I get flat bread at Winco Foods. Most grocery store should carry it. Tortilla has a different taste and not as soft.

        Reply
    8. Tatyana says

      October 09, 2014 at 3:29 pm

      It's just a suggestion, but if you do try cranberry sauce (it will say on the can with berries) and mix that with cream cheese, I promise you that you'll never go back to plain cream cheese or mayo.:)

      Reply
      • valya'stasteofhome.com says

        October 09, 2014 at 4:24 pm

        Thanks Tatyana! Now I really want to try it. Send me the picture of that cranberry sauce in the email if its not hard for you when ever you can. 🙂

        Reply
    9. Tatyana says

      October 05, 2014 at 5:16 pm

      These are my favorite and I used to buy them at Costco$5 for a big tray, but then they got really expensive. However, I was able to replicate these by making your own spreading: mix cream cheese and cranberry sauce with berries. Yum!!!!

      Reply
      • valya'stasteofhome.com says

        October 06, 2014 at 10:16 am

        That is a good idea of making that combination of cream cheese and cranberry sauce. The only thing is I don't know how it blends together with turkey. I guess I just have to try it. I never saw them at Costco. I guess I never paid attentions if they even sell them, since I always make my own. The 28 of them by my recipe will cost you about $5. They are also really good if you use just plain cream cheese instead of mayonnaise. Thanks Tatyana! 🙂

        Reply
    10. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says

      October 05, 2014 at 1:02 pm

      This looks like the perfect after-school snack for kids, or a mid-day work snack for me! I love the easy ingredients in here. Sounds delish!

      Reply
      • valya'stasteofhome.com says

        October 06, 2014 at 10:06 am

        Thanks Gayle! This is a perfect snack any time of the day. I love them a lot. 🙂

        Reply
    11. Katya @ Little Broken says

      October 04, 2014 at 8:18 am

      These look great! For lunch or snacking. I only have one little mouth to feed and sometimes i feel like there's never enough food 🙂

      Reply
      • valya'stasteofhome.com says

        October 04, 2014 at 10:52 am

        Thanks Katya! I know what you mean. I feel like that all the time, specially having teenagers in the house. I keep telling them thank God for all we have, because not a lot of people in the world have what we have in our pantries and fridges, and we're not any better than them. 🙂

        Reply
    3.77 from 43 votes (41 ratings without comment)

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    A food blogger, recipe developer, photographer, editor, and author behind Valya’s Taste of Home website. Sharing family-proven tasty recipes with step-by-step photos and videos. Read more...

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