Ribbon Dancer Turkey Rolls (Printable)

Delicate carrot and cucumber ribbons encase savory smoked turkey for a refreshing, easy dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 large carrots, peeled
02 - 1 large cucumber, ends trimmed

→ Meats

03 - 8 slices smoked turkey breast

→ Dairy (optional)

04 - 2 ounces cream cheese, softened

→ Fresh Herbs

05 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped
06 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (optional)

→ Seasoning

07 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Directions:

01 - Using a vegetable peeler or mandoline, slice the carrots and cucumber lengthwise into long, thin ribbons.
02 - Lay the smoked turkey slices flat on a clean surface. Optionally, spread a thin layer of softened cream cheese on each slice, then sprinkle evenly with chopped chives and dill.
03 - Starting at one end, roll each turkey slice tightly into a cylinder.
04 - Wrap a cucumber ribbon followed by a carrot ribbon around each turkey roll, securing the ends underneath or with a toothpick if necessary.
05 - Arrange the ribbon-wrapped turkey rolls on a serving platter. Sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper and additional chopped herbs if desired.
06 - Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks restaurant-worthy but takes barely twenty minutes, which means you can actually enjoy your guests instead of sweating in the kitchen.
  • The combination of cool ribbons and smoky turkey is pure comfort disguised as elegance, and there's something deeply satisfying about that.
02 -
  • Don't press too hard with your peeler or mandoline or you'll shred the vegetables instead of creating ribbons, which I learned the hard way and had to start over.
  • If your ribbons are too short, they won't wrap around the rolls gracefully, so take your time peeling the full length of each vegetable.
03 -
  • A sharp vegetable peeler or mandoline is non-negotiable here because dull tools tear instead of slice, and torn vegetables will never have that elegant ribbon quality.
  • If you want to make this vegetarian, grilled tofu strips or roasted red pepper slices work beautifully in place of the turkey, and the ribbons wrap around them just as gracefully.
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