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Beef Pinwheels with Rocket Salad

This sophisticated beef pinwheels with rocket salad recipe offers a wonderful combination of savoury flavours and textures. By butterflying succulent flank steak and filling it with salty prosciutto and melting provolone cheese, you create a visually stunning dish that remains light and nutritious. The pinwheels are grilled until perfectly charred on the outside while remaining tender within, providing a satisfying main course that is naturally low in carbohydrates.

As a diabetes-friendly option, this recipe focuses on high-quality protein and healthy fats rather than heavy starches. The peppery rocket salad, dressed simply in lemon and olive oil, provides a fresh, vibrant contrast to the rich Italian-style fillings. It is an excellent choice for a weekend lunch or an impressive dinner party dish that supports a balanced, heart-healthy lifestyle without compromising on flavour.

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Ingredients for Beef Pinwheels with Rocket Salad

  • 1 (1 1/2-lb) piece flank steak

  • 45ml olive oil

  • 110g very thinly sliced prosciutto

  • 110g thinly sliced provolone

  • 350g rocket, stems discarded

  • Accompaniment: lemon wedges

  • 8 to 10 (6-inch-long) wooden skewers, soaked in water 30 minutes

How to make Beef Pinwheels with Rocket Salad

Cover work surface with plastic wrap and put steak on it with a short side of steak nearest you. Holding a sharp knife parallel to work surface and beginning on a long side, using short slicing motions, butterfly steak by cutting it horizontally almost, but not all the way, in half, then open it like a book.

Cover steak with a double thickness of plastic wrap (about 2 feet long) and, using the flat side of a meat pounder (or using a rolling pin), gently pound meat 1/4 inch thick.

Discard top sheets of plastic wrap and turn steak on plastic wrap so grain of meat is running left to right, then rub 1 tablespoon oil onto steak and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoons pepper. Arrange prosciutto in a slightly overlapping layer on steak, then cover with cheese.

Beginning with side nearest you, using plastic wrap as an aid and pressing slightly on filling, roll up steak tightly, then skewer steak, crosswise, at 1-inch intervals. Using a sharp knife, cut between skewers to make 1-inch-thick pinwheels. (End pieces will be about 1 1/2 inches thick. Trim if desired. For more about how to form beef pinwheels, see Time for Steak, Rattle, and Roll.)

Prepare grill for cooking over medium-hot charcoal (moderate heat for gas). If using a charcoal grill, open vents on bottom of grill, then light charcoal. When charcoal turns grayish white (about 15 minutes from lighting), hold your hand 5 inches above grill rack to determine heat for charcoal as follows: Hot: When you can hold your hand there for 1 to 2 seconds Medium-hot: 3 to 4 seconds Low: 5 to 6 seconds If using a gas grill, preheat burners on high, covered, 10 minutes, then, if necessary, reduce to heat specified in recipe.

Grill pinwheels, cut sides down, on a well-oiled rack, turning over once (use a metal spatula to loosen), until beef is well browned outside but still pink inside and cheese is beginning to melt, 6 to 8 minutes total.

Toss rocket with remaining 2 tablespoons oil and 1/4 teaspoons salt in a large bowl. Serve on a platter, topped with pinwheels.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 17 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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