Sunday Roast Beef and Horseradish Roll-Ups
LUNCH
Half a pound of deli-sliced roast beef, still folded in its butcher paper, proves Keto doesn't have to mean an hour of mise en place, nor does a packed lunch have to feel like a sad compromise. The secret here is building a compound spread: full-fat cream cheese acts as the fatty binder that mellows the sinus-clearing punch from a jar of sharp horseradish, waterproofing the tortilla so it survives the morning commute and eats perfectly cold at your desk. Wrap it tight, drop it in the breakroom fridge, and get back to work.
Per serving: NET CARBS: 6 g Total carbs: 21 g | Fiber: 15 g | Sugar alcohols: 0 g Fat: 32 g | Protein: 28 g Calories: ~460
Before you start
Check your cream cheese temperature.
Ensure the cream cheese is fully softened to room temperature before attempting to mix, or it will clump and destroy the structural integrity of the tortilla.
Ingredients
- full-fat cream cheese2 oz
- prepared horseradish1 tbsp
- Dijon mustard1 tsp
- coarse black pepper1 pinch
- keto-friendly flour tortilla1 large
- deli roast beef4 oz
- sharp cheddar cheese1 oz
- fresh arugula1/2 cup
Method
- 01
Whip the spread.
In a small bowl, use a fork to vigorously mix the softened cream cheese, prepared horseradish, Dijon mustard, and black pepper until completely smooth and cohesive.
- 02
Build the base.
Lay the keto tortilla flat on a cutting board and spread the horseradish cream evenly over the entire surface, going all the way to the edges to waterproof the wrap.
- 03
Layer the fillings.
Arrange the arugula evenly over the cream cheese, shingle the roast beef slices in a single layer, and distribute the sharp cheddar on top.
- 04
Roll and slice.
Starting from the edge closest to you, roll the tortilla up tightly, using the cream cheese at the far edge as glue to seal it; slice crosswise into 1-inch thick pinwheels and pack immediately.
Notes
Why this swap?
Swapping a standard large flour tortilla for a high-fiber commercial keto version replaces white flour with modified wheat starch, saving roughly 30g of net carbs per serving while keeping the structure needed for a packed lunch.
Hidden-Ingredient Survival Skill: Deli Meat.
Commercial deli roast beef is often cured with dextrose or caramel color to mask industrial processing; always read the label or ask the deli counter for beef with no added sugar, looking for clean brands like Applegate or US Wellness.
Hidden-Ingredient Survival Skill: Horseradish.
Many commercial prepared horseradish brands add high-fructose corn syrup to appeal to sweet palates, so seek out brands like Bubbies where the only ingredients are root, vinegar, water, and salt.
Technique Tip: Temperature Matters.
Do not try to mix cold cream cheese or it will tear the tortilla; if you forgot to take it out of the fridge, microwave it for exactly 10 seconds.
Purist Variation.
To skip the commercial keto tortilla, lay the roast beef slices in a slightly overlapping rectangle, spread the cream cheese mixture directly onto the meat, add greens and cheese, and roll into a tight cylinder.
From Keto 10 Minute Meals.