Celebrate the holiday season with this show-stopping Christmas Stuffed Pork Roast! Juicy pork loin is filled with a savory and sweet stuffing of cranberries, nuts, and fresh herbs, then glazed with a honey-Dijon blend for a perfect festive touch. Whether it’s the centerpiece of your Christmas feast or a delightful addition to your table, this recipe is sure to impress your guests.
What Is Christmas Stuffed Pork Roast?
Christmas Stuffed Pork Roast is a butterflied pork loin filled with a delicious stuffing of breadcrumbs, dried cranberries, walnuts or pecans, and herbs. It’s rolled, seared, and roasted to perfection with a flavorful honey-Dijon glaze. This dish is the epitome of holiday comfort food, combining tender meat with a rich stuffing and sweet-savory glaze.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Festive Appeal: A perfect centerpiece for your holiday table.
- Bursting with Flavor: Sweet cranberries, crunchy nuts, and aromatic herbs make every bite unforgettable.
- Customizable: Adapt the stuffing to suit your preferences or dietary needs.
- Easy to Prepare: Straightforward instructions for an impressive result.
Ingredients
Pork Roast
- 3–4 lb (1.4–1.8 kg) pork loin, butterflied
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Stuffing
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup (100 g) fresh breadcrumbs
- ½ cup (60 g) dried cranberries, chopped
- ¼ cup (30 g) chopped walnuts or pecans
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
Glaze
- ¼ cup (85 g) honey
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Stuffing
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking dish with foil and set aside.
- In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, and sauté until soft and fragrant.
- Stir in breadcrumbs, cranberries, nuts, parsley, and thyme. Mix thoroughly.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before adding the beaten egg. Set the stuffing aside.
Preparing the Pork Loin
- Lay the butterflied pork loin flat on a clean surface. Season generously with salt and pepper.
- Spread the stuffing evenly over the pork, leaving a 1-inch (2.5 cm) border around the edges.
- Carefully roll the pork loin tightly and secure it with kitchen twine.
Searing and Roasting
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the stuffed pork roast on all sides until golden brown.
- Transfer the seared roast to the prepared baking dish.
Glazing and Cooking
- In a small bowl, whisk together honey, Dijon mustard, and balsamic vinegar.
- Brush the glaze generously over the pork roast.
- Roast in the preheated oven for 50–60 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C). Baste with glaze halfway through cooking.
Resting and Serving
- Let the roast rest for 10 minutes after removing it from the oven.
- Slice and serve with your favorite sides like roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a festive salad.
Storing and Freezing
Storage Tips
- Store leftover pork roast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in a 325°F (165°C) oven until warmed through.
Freezing Instructions
- Wrap the cooked roast tightly in foil or plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag.
- Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Recipe Variations
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs for the stuffing.
- Nut-Free: Replace nuts with sunflower seeds or omit them entirely.
- Vegan-Friendly Stuffing: Use plant-based butter and a flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp water).
FAQs
Can I prepare the stuffing in advance?
Yes, the stuffing can be prepared up to a day in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use.
What if I don’t have kitchen twine?
You can use unflavored dental floss as a substitute for kitchen twine.
Can I use a different cut of pork?
Yes, you can use a pork tenderloin, but note that the cooking time may vary as it’s a smaller cut.
This Christmas Stuffed Pork Roast is a beautiful and delicious addition to any holiday meal. With its tender, flavorful pork and rich, festive stuffing, it’s bound to be a favorite at your table. Give this recipe a try and let us know how it turned out! Your guests are sure to ask for seconds—and the recipe!
PrintChristmas Stuffed Pork Roast Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6–8
Description
This Christmas Stuffed Pork Roast features a butterflied pork loin filled with a flavorful stuffing of cranberries, nuts, and herbs, glazed with honey-Dijon for a festive and delicious holiday centerpiece.
Ingredients
Pork Roast
- 3–4 lb (1.4–1.8 kg) pork loin, butterflied
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Stuffing
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup (100 g) fresh breadcrumbs
- ½ cup (60 g) dried cranberries, chopped
- ¼ cup (30 g) chopped walnuts or pecans
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
Glaze
- ¼ cup (85 g) honey
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking dish with foil and set aside.
- Make the Stuffing: Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic until soft. Add breadcrumbs, cranberries, nuts, parsley, and thyme. Stir to combine. Cool slightly, then mix in the beaten egg.
- Prepare the Pork Loin: Lay the butterflied pork loin flat. Season with salt and pepper. Spread stuffing evenly over the pork, leaving a 1-inch border. Roll tightly and secure with kitchen twine.
- Sear the Pork Roast: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the stuffed pork roast on all sides until golden brown. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
- Apply the Glaze: Mix honey, Dijon mustard, and balsamic vinegar in a small bowl. Brush the glaze over the pork roast.
- Roast: Bake for 50–60 minutes, basting with glaze halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C).
- Rest and Serve: Let the roast rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with your favorite holiday sides.
Notes
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 325°F (165°C) oven.
- Freezing: Wrap the cooked roast tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- Customizations: Swap nuts for sunflower seeds for a nut-free version or use gluten-free breadcrumbs for a gluten-free option.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: Approximately 325 per serving (varies based on stuffing and glaze used)