10+ Christmas Pork Recipes to Delight Your Holiday Table
The holiday season is a time for gathering around the table and enjoying delicious meals. Christmas pork recipes bring a savory touch to your festive celebrations. Whether you prefer a sweet glaze or a savory rub, there’s a pork dish that will suit your taste and impress your guests.
From classic roasts to modern twists, pork can be prepared in many ways to highlight its rich flavors. You can create memories with family and friends while sharing a delightful meal that everyone will love.
1) Maple-Glazed Pork Tenderloin
Maple-glazed pork tenderloin is a great dish for Christmas celebrations. The combination of sweet maple syrup and savory pork creates a delicious flavor. It’s simple to make and looks impressive on the table.
To start, you will need a few key ingredients. The tenderloin cooks quickly, making it perfect for a festive meal. You can serve it with roasted vegetables for a complete dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 pound pork tenderloin
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a bowl, mix maple syrup, soy sauce, and mustard.
- Season the pork with salt and pepper.
- Brush the glaze over the pork.
- Place the pork in a baking dish and roast for 25-30 minutes.
- Let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
2) Herb-Crusted Pork Loin with Pear Chutney
Herb-crusted pork loin is a fantastic dish for Christmas. The flavors of fresh herbs add a wonderful taste to the meat. Pairing it with pear chutney gives a sweet and tangy twist.
To start, you’ll need to coat the pork loin with a mix of your favorite herbs. This can include rosemary, thyme, or parsley. Rub the herbs all over the meat for the best flavor.
While the pork is roasting, prepare the pear chutney. Cook chopped pears with sugar, vinegar, and spices until they are soft. This chutney will complement the savory pork perfectly.
Ingredients:
- 1 pork loin (about 3-4 pounds)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme
- 3 pears, chopped
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup vinegar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Cooking Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Rub the pork loin with olive oil, salt, pepper, and herbs.
- Place the pork in a roasting pan.
- Roast for about 1 hour or until internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C).
- While roasting, combine pears, sugar, vinegar, and cinnamon in a pot.
- Cook on medium heat until pears are soft.
- Serve the pork sliced with the pear chutney on the side.
3) Cranberry-Apple Stuffed Pork Loin
This cranberry-apple stuffed pork loin is a delicious choice for your holiday table. The sweet and savory flavors come together beautifully.
You’ll need a pork loin that is tender and easy to slice. Stuff it with chopped apples, dried cranberries, and walnuts for extra texture. The mix will keep the meat juicy and flavorful.
To make it special, add some fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary. After baking, the pork should reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). Let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.
Ingredients
- 1 pork loin (about 2-3 pounds)
- 1 cup chopped apples
- 3/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- Fresh herbs (like thyme or rosemary)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Butterfly the pork loin to create a pocket for stuffing.
- Combine apples, cranberries, and walnuts in a bowl.
- Stuff the mixture into the pork loin and secure it with kitchen twine.
- Season the outside with salt and pepper.
- Bake for about 1 hour or until the internal temperature is 145°F (63°C).
- Let it rest before slicing and serve.
4) Bacon-Wrapped Holiday Pork Roast
A bacon-wrapped pork roast is a festive option for your holiday table. The combination of pork and crispy bacon adds a delicious flavor that everyone will love.
You can use a pork loin or tenderloin. Make sure to season it well with herbs and spices. Wrapping it in bacon keeps the meat juicy and flavorful.
Roasting at 375°F (190°C) helps the bacon get crispy while the pork stays tender. This dish is sure to be a hit, making your meal special.
Ingredients
- 1 pork loin roast (about 1 1/2 pounds or 680g)
- 1 pound (450g) bacon
- Salt and pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Fresh herbs (like rosemary or thyme)
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Season the pork roast with salt, pepper, and olive oil.
- Wrap the bacon around the pork, securing it with toothpicks if needed.
- Place the roast in a baking dish.
- Roast in the oven for about 1 hour or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C).
- Let it rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
5) Sage-Rubbed Porchetta with Quince
Sage-rubbed porchetta is a delicious choice for your Christmas meal. The combo of pork and sage brings great flavor, while the quince glaze adds a sweet touch.
Start with a piece of boneless pork belly and coat it generously with a sage rub. This will keep the meat juicy and add a wonderful aroma as it cooks.
As your porchetta roasts, prepare a quince glaze. This sweet glaze complements the savory flavors of the pork perfectly. When done, your dish will look amazing and taste even better!
Ingredients
- 3 kg boneless pork belly (skin on)
- 2 bunches fresh sage
- 1 kg rock salt
- 1 cup quince jam or puree
- Black pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 320°F (160°C).
- Rub the pork belly with sage and salt.
- Roll the pork tightly and tie it with string.
- Roast for 3-4 hours, basting with the glaze.
- Let it rest before slicing and serving.
6) Rosemary Garlic Pork Shoulder
Rosemary Garlic Pork Shoulder is a flavorful dish perfect for holiday gatherings. This tender roast is marinated with garlic and rosemary, giving it a delicious taste.
To start, choose a pork shoulder that weighs about 4 pounds. You will also need olive oil, fresh thyme, rosemary, and garlic.
The cooking process involves slow-roasting the pork to let the flavors blend nicely. Aim for an oven temperature of 300°F (150°C) for about 4 to 6 hours.
Your pork will be so tender that it will fall apart with a fork. Serve it with your favorite sides for a memorable holiday meal.
Ingredients
- 4 pounds pork shoulder
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme (or dried)
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary (or dried)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
- Mix olive oil, thyme, rosemary, and garlic in a bowl.
- Rub the mixture all over the pork shoulder.
- Place the pork in a roasting pan.
- Roast for 4 to 6 hours, until tender.
- Let it rest before serving.
7) Tuscan-style Roast Pork with Seasonal Fruits
Tuscan-style roast pork is a delightful choice for Christmas. This dish combines juicy pork with seasonal fruits like apples and pears for a perfect balance of flavors.
You will love the aroma of garlic and rosemary as the pork roasts. The fruits add a natural sweetness that complements the savory meat. Serve this dish with roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds (1.3 kg) bone-in pork loin
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 apples, sliced
- 2 pears, sliced
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Rub the pork loin with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Place rosemary on top of the pork.
- Add apples and pears around the pork in the roasting pan.
- Roast for about 1.5 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C).
- Let the pork rest before slicing and serving. Enjoy!
8) Cider-Braised Pork Belly
Cider-braised pork belly is a delicious choice for your Christmas dinner. This dish combines tender pork with a sweet and tangy apple cider sauce. It’s perfect for impressing your family and friends.
To start, you will need a few ingredients: pork belly, apple cider, onions, and some spices. The ingredients come together beautifully for a hearty meal.
For cooking, first, sear the pork belly until golden. Then, add sliced onions and pour in the apple cider. Let it simmer for hours until the meat is fork-tender.
Serve this dish with mashed potatoes or fresh bread to soak up the tasty sauce.
Ingredients:
- 3 lbs (1.4 kg) pork belly
- 2 cups (480 ml) apple cider
- 2 large onions, sliced
- 1 tsp thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
- Sear the pork belly in a Dutch oven until golden.
- Add sliced onions and cook until soft.
- Pour in apple cider and season with thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Cover and bake for 2-3 hours until tender.
9) Spiced Yuletide Pork Loin
This Spiced Yuletide Pork Loin is perfect for your holiday feast. It creates a delightful aroma that fills your kitchen with a mix of warm spices.
The spice blend typically includes cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Adding rosemary enhances the flavors even more.
You’ll need pork loin, which will stay juicy and tender throughout cooking. Prepare your pork by rubbing the spice mixture generously over it. Then, let it marinate for a little while for the best taste. After that, roast it in the oven until it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
While it cooks, you can prepare side dishes or enjoy some holiday music. Your Spiced Yuletide Pork Loin will be a hit at the table!
Ingredients
- Pork loin
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Cinnamon
- Ginger
- Nutmeg
- Fresh rosemary
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Rub the pork loin with olive oil, salt, and spices.
- Place it in a roasting pan.
- Roast for 25-30 minutes per pound.
- Check for an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
- Let it rest before slicing and serving.
10) Caramelized Onion and Spinach Stuffed Pork
For a delicious holiday dish, try making caramelized onion and spinach stuffed pork. This recipe combines savory flavors that make your meal special.
Start by caramelizing onions until they’re golden brown. This brings out their natural sweetness. Then, add fresh spinach and cook until wilted. Mix this filling with seasonings for extra taste.
Now, take a pork tenderloin and cut a pocket for the filling. Stuff it generously with the onion and spinach mix. Secure it with twine to keep everything inside during cooking.
Roast the stuffed pork in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). Let it rest before slicing to keep the juices in.
Ingredients:
- 1 pork tenderloin
- 2 onions, thinly sliced
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for cooking
Cooking Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a pan, heat olive oil and caramelize the onions.
- Add spinach and cook until wilted.
- Season the mixture with salt and pepper.
- Cut a pocket in the pork tenderloin and stuff it with the filling.
- Secure with twine and roast until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C).
- Let it rest before slicing.