Cucumbers make such elegant dishes, and these Cucumber Roll-Ups with smoked salmon and avocado are about as dainty as they get.
Whip up these fresh and tasty cucumber rolls in under 20 minutes.
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This simple cucumber appetizer is a fantastic picnic finger food option because, like my Avocado Cucumber Shrimp Bites, it is quick, easy to make, and looks great.
I love this appetizer for summer picnics when cucumbers are plentiful, and like my smoked salmon heart-shaped sandwiches, they make a very elegant statement for a romantic picnic date.
Ingredients
See my recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements and notes.
Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- Chili: I season the cucumber rolls with chili flakes. If you don’t like spice, you can use herbs. Chives or dill are good pairings for this dish.
- Cream Cheese: You can use Boursin Cheese if you want to add extra flavor, or try whipped feta for a slightly salty twist.
- Roll Alternatives: I like to overlap the cucumber slices to make one long roll that I can cut into slices. You might like to make individual rolls if you have very wide cucumber slices.
Recommended Equipment
DASH Safe Slice® Mandoline Slicer
A safe mandoline slicer that prevents your hands from ever going near the built-in blades. It is a quick way to julienne vegetables for salads.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1: Using a vegetable peeler or mandoline slicer, slice the cucumber lengthwise into thin strips. Pat the strips dry with a paper towel if they are very wet. Lay the cucumber strips flat on a cutting board, each strip slightly overlapping the next.
Layering like this will help make one long roll that you can slice.
Step 2: Spread a thin layer of cream cheese over the cucumber strips.
Step 3: Layer with slices of smoked salmon and thinly sliced avocado.
Sprinkle with chili flakes, salt, and pepper.
Step 4: Carefully roll the cucumber slices up into one long roll. Place in the refrigerator to chill for 15 minutes. This will set all the fillings making it easier to slice.
Alternatively, you can roll each cucumber strip individually.
Step 5: After rolling and chilling, carefully slice the roll into bite-size portions about an inch – to an inch and a half thick using a sharp knife. Secure each with a toothpick and garnish with sprigs of dill.
Expert Tips
- Choosing the Right Cucumber: Opt for English cucumbers as they have fewer seeds and thinner skin, making them easier to slice into thin, pliable strips ideal for roll-ups.
- Preparation of Ingredients: Ensure the cucumber slices are dry after slicing to avoid soggy roll-ups. Use paper towels to pat down each strip. Also, slicing the salmon and avocado into even, bite-sized pieces helps in uniform rolling.
- Assembling: Apply a light but even layer of cream cheese to the cucumber strips before adding the salmon and avocado. This helps with flavor distribution and acts as a ‘glue’ to hold the roll together. Be careful not to overfill to ensure the roll can close and stay intact and keep the avocado and salmon at the beginning of the roll.
- Lemon on the Avocado: A dash of lemon juice on the avocado can prevent browning and add a zesty flavor.
- Storage and Serving: If preparing ahead of time, covering the rolls with plastic wrap and storing them in the refrigerator can keep them fresh. However, eating them within a few hours is best as cucumbers can release moisture over time, potentially making the rolls less crisp.
More Picnic Appetizers
Did you try these Cucumber Roll Ups?
Please leave me a ⭐ rating below and let me know in the comments how you enjoyed them.
Salmon Avacado Cucumber Roll Ups
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 large English cucumber - sliced lengthways
- 4 oz cream cheese - softened
- 4 oz smoked salmon
- 1 ripe avocado - sliced
- chili flakes - to taste
- Salt and pepper - to taste
- dill - optional
Instructions
- Using a vegetable peeler or mandoline slicer, slice the cucumber lengthwise into thin strips. Pat the strips dry with a paper towel if they are very wet. Lay the cucumber strips flat on a cutting board, each strip slightly overlapping the next. Layering like this will help make one long roll that you can slice.
- Spread a thin layer of cream cheese over the cucumber strips.
- Layer with slices of smoked salmon and thinly sliced avocado. Sprinkle with chili flakes, salt, and pepper.
- Carefully roll the cucumber slices up into one long roll. Place in the refrigerator to chill for 15 minutes. This will set all the fillings making it easier to slice. Alternatively, you can roll each cucumber strip individually.
- After rolling and chilling, carefully slice the roll into bite-size portions about an inch – to an inch and a half thick using a sharp knife. Secure each with a toothpick and garnish with sprigs of dill.
Notes
- Chili: I season the cucumber rolls with chili flakes. If you don’t like spice, you can use herbs. Chives or dill are good pairings for this dish.
- Cream Cheese: You can use Boursin Cheese if you want to add extra flavor, or try whipped feta for a slightly salty twist.
- Roll Alternatives: I like to overlap the cucumber slices to make one long roll that I can cut into slices. You might like to make individual rolls if you have very wide cucumber slices.
- Choosing the Right Cucumber: Opt for English cucumbers as they have fewer seeds and thinner skin, making them easier to slice into thin, pliable strips ideal for roll-ups.
- Preparation of Ingredients: Ensure the cucumber slices are dry after slicing to avoid soggy roll-ups. Use paper towels to pat down each strip. Also, slicing the salmon and avocado into even, bite-sized pieces helps in uniform rolling.
- Assembling: Apply a light but even layer of cream cheese to the cucumber strips before adding the salmon and avocado. This helps with flavor distribution and is a ‘glue’ to hold the roll together. Be careful not to overfill to ensure the roll can close and stay intact and keep the avocado and salmon at the beginning of the roll.
- Lemon on the Avocado: A dash of lemon juice on the avocado can prevent browning and add a zesty flavor.
- Storage and Serving: If preparing ahead of time, covering the rolls with plastic wrap and storing them in the refrigerator can keep them fresh. However, eating them within a few hours is best, as cucumbers can release moisture over time, potentially making the rolls less crisp.
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