Do you watch football just for the food, too? These Dried Beef Roll Ups are the perfect salty snack to bring to a game day party or serve at home!
I love to keep my game day snacks easy and these totally are.
What I love about this recipe is that they can be made ahead of time and your guests probably haven't had them before.
I'm not a big football fan, but there is something so exciting about getting together with friends to enjoy watching the game.
Ok, well maybe I'm not excited to watch the game, but I'm v excited about the food. I love a good party.
And every party has food. The best part is, a football party doesn't need much fuss.
Just yummy food, a little fanfare and good friends.
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Dried Beef Roll-Ups with cream cheese are the perfect finger food and football appetizer.
They are salty and creamy and unexpected. Most people have never had these before but they always LOVE them!
It is the most delicious appetizer you've never heard of. And I don't even like cream cheese. Or horseradish.
True story.
And of course, these are a great finger food idea for any party, not just when sports are involved. In fact, I also make these every year for Christmas!
Ingredients
Scroll down to the end of the post for a printable recipe card with full measurements and more detailed instructions.
- Dried Beef
- cream cheese
- Prepared Horseradish (not Horseradish cream)
- Garlic Powder
- Worcestershire Sauce
What is Dried Beef
Dried beef is sometimes also called chipped beef. It's an off-the wall ingredient that isn't super popular.
You typically find it in recipes that most likely originated in the 1970's, so equally tasty and horrific.
I don't make these chipped beef roll ups that often so I always forget where to look for the dried beef at the store.
It comes in a jar and is located in the canned meat aisle. Yes, that sounds super gross. Just look for the chili and the tuna.
Not every store carries this product but there are a few brands like Armour, Hormel and Buddig that make dried beef.
How to make Dried Beef Cream Cheese Roll-Ups
Add the softened cream cheese to a small bowl. Like, really softened cream cheese.
I like to use my glass measuring cup. It's the perfect size.
Add 2 tablespoon of prepared horseradish and mix well. I prefer to use a fork to really break up the cream cheese and incorporate each ingredient.
Taste. Add more horseradish depending on your taste preferences.
Add in garlic powder and Worcestershire Sauce and mix again.
Spread about 1 teaspoon of cream cheese mix on a slice of dried beef with a knife or off-set spatula. And taste again.
Because the dried beef slices are salty, you shouldn't need to add any salt to the mixture. You may want to add more garlic powder or Worcestershire though.
Make sure the cream cheese goes to the edges so that when you roll it up, it will stick to itself.
In the photo above, you can see that I covered almost the whole slice except for the area closest to my thumb.
I would roll it up starting at the opposite side (with the cream cheese going all the way to edge) and roll it towards my thumb.
Leaving that blank space means that whatever squishes while being rolled, will fill in that area and help the final edge stick to the keep it rolled up.
It will take a few to get the amount and technique right. It's not hard, just takes a second to get used to and sort out how it will squish as it's rolled.
Roll them all up, then cut each roll up in half and place in a container to chill.
If you find that everything is just a bit too soft and cutting is hard, you can put them in the fridge for about half an hour and use a serrated knife to cut them in half.
I prefer to make them a day ahead so all the flavors can marry. They should be refrigerated, in an air-tight container, until serving.
This is one of those appetizers that is not fussy and can be left out on your party table for quite a while.
Dried Beef Roll Ups with horseradish are the perfect creamy snack that you can eat with just your fingers. No forks needed.
I also use dried beef in this Dried Beef Cheese Ball recipe. It's a fun appetizer to serve at parties. Because who doesn't love a cheese ball!
Or you can use it in my Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip with Dried Beef. It's the perfect way to add a little salt to a warm dip.
And you can use those leftover pieces to make my favorite Chicken Eden Isle dinner!
These can be stored in the fridge in an air-tight container for about 5 days.
This simple appetizer recipe is a great addition to store-bought game day snack ideas or healthier snack ideas for game day.
While we think these are the perfect football appetizers, they are even great for a movie night!
Pair them with a simple game day guacamole if you're feeling extra fancy.
And if you're looking for an easy way to dress up your party, check out my free printable football banner!
Just print, cut and hang. Done!
Whether your hosting or going to a party elsewhere, these Dried Beef Roll Ups will be your go-to appetizer.
Make the Dried Beef Roll Ups for all your game day parties or any time you need a creamy, salty snack!
More Easy Appetizers
- Salsa Chicken Taco Cups are easy to make in the Instant Pot and work for a party appetizer or dinner idea. My kids LOVE these.
- This Roasted Tomato and Burrata Appetizer is so easy to make. You just roast cherry tomatoes in the oven and serve over burrata cheese! It's just delightful on top of a crostini.
- Crispy Salami Chips are one ingredient made magical by baking in the oven.
- Warm Bacon Cheese Dip is one of my all-time favorite comfort food recipes. It's. So. Good.
- Loaded Tater Tots with Buffalo Aioli are a twist on nachos. If you're looking for a fun snack idea to share with the family, thi is it!
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Printable Recipe for Dried Beef Roll Ups with Cream Cheese
Dried Beef Roll Ups
Ingredients
- 5 oz or as close to this as you can find jar Dried Beef
- 8 oz. cream cheese softened
- 2 tablespoon or more Prepared Horseradish
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
Instructions
- Add softened cream cheese to a small bowl.
- Add 2 tablespoon of prepared horseradish and mix well. (A fork works really well!)
- Taste then add more horseradish if needed.
- Add the ½ teaspoon garlic powder and 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce and mix again.
- Spread cream cheese mix on a slice of dried beef with a knife or off-set spatula.
- Taste and adjust seasoning one last time.
- Make sure the cream cheese goes to the edges so that when you roll it up, it will stick to itself. (See photo in post to see where I stop the spread)
- Try not to overfill or it will squish out.
- Roll up each piece of dried beef with the cream cheese mixture then cut each in half.
- Place in a container and chill until ready to serve.
Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally published in 2013. It's sense been re-photographed and updated with better details.
Randi says
For the past 30+ years my family has called these horsey doodles. Has anyone else heard of these being called this?
Sharon Garofalow says
No! I've never heard that! But now that is what I will call them too. :)
Ronnie says
Is it possible that people don't know to rinse the dried beef that comes in the jars?! I've always rinsed the beef. I cannot imagine eating it that salty, it's horrible unrinsed. I separate the rounds on a plate or baking dish with sides on it. Lay them out in a single layer or you can put the rounds loosely in a casserole dish. I put a light splatter guard over the plate/bowl to keep the beef rounds from washing out of the container. I set the plate/bowl in the sink and using the sprayer on my faucet, turn on the cold water. You want to GENTLY rinse the beef under cold water for a few minutes. Afterwards, lay out a layer of paper towels on a cookie sheet and lay the beef rounds out in a single layer. I use another layer of paper towels over the beef and press with my hands to extract the excess water. You will love the beef in you recipes much better! Absolutely, do this for all your future dried beef recipes. This will remove loads of the salt and make our recipes much healthier for your recipes. Enjoy!!!
Sharon Garofalow says
Hi Ronnie! Thanks for your comments. I never rinse the beef for any of my recipes. And I like how they taste. But I appreciate you leaving instructions on how to rinse it in case people want to watch their sodium! Super helpful!
Jeanne Watts says
I have always rinsed the slices in cold water and dried them on a paper towel.
I also freeze them after they are rolled. It’s easier to cut them in smaller bite sized pieces. Then I defrost them..
Anna Wickham says
If you don't like horseradish I have chopped onions and added to cream cheese and also have done cream cheese and dill...just some other ideas that have worked for me...I prefer horseradish...
Sharon Garofalow says
What a great idea! I've never deviated but I bet you could do all kinds of fun things with it!! Hmmm, now you've got me feeling creative!
Jessica says
I LOVE the chip bags. Such a cute and simple way to spice up the party. Cute, cute, cute!
Sharon Garofalow says
And they were SO easy!! I use that roll of kraft paper for everything!