Description
A festive stuffed pork roast filled with spinach, apples, bacon, and herbs — perfect for Christmas dinner with maple-glazed sweet potatoes and garlicky gravy.
Ingredients
For the Filling:
1 large shallot, finely diced
4 cups fresh spinach leaves
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 small apple, diced
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp sea salt
2 tbsp brandy (optional)
5 slices thick-cut bacon
1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
2 tbsp maple syrup
1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
1.5 tbsp Dijon mustard
0.5 cup dried cranberries
For the Pork Roast:
10 whole garlic cloves
4 lb center-cut pork loin, butterflied and pounded to 0.5-inch thickness
3 tbsp unsalted butter
2 sprigs fresh thyme
1 cup low-sodium chicken stock
2 sprigs fresh rosemary
2 tbsp avocado oil
For the Gravy:
1 cup chicken stock
1.5 tbsp plain flour
1.5 tbsp butter
1 cup strained pan drippings
For the Sweet Potatoes:
4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
2 tbsp maple syrup
2 tbsp avocado oil
1 tsp smoked paprika
2 tsp herbes de Provence
1 to 1.5 tsp salt
1 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
1. Render bacon until crispy, then add shallots and cook until translucent.
2. Add spinach and garlic, deglaze with brandy if using; cook briefly until reduced.
3. Transfer mixture to a bowl and mix in apple, cranberries, salt, pepper, paprika, mustard, maple syrup, thyme, and rosemary.
4. Lay pork flat, fat side down; season, then spread filling and roll tightly.
5. Tie with kitchen twine at 1-inch intervals to secure.
6. Brown roast in hot oil on all sides, then add garlic cloves, herbs, and broth.
7. Roast at 425°F for 75–90 minutes until internal temperature reaches 160°F.
8. Baste during final minutes, then rest 15–30 minutes before slicing.
9. Strain pan drippings, skim fat, and make gravy with butter, flour, and stock.
10. Serve sliced pork with garlic gravy and roasted sweet potatoes.
Notes
Rest pork at room temperature for 30–45 minutes before cooking.
Always use a meat thermometer; pork is done at 145°F.
Avoid cutting through the loin when butterflying.
Tie the rolled loin every inch to keep filling intact.
Let roast rest 10–15 minutes post-cooking to allow juices to redistribute.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 90 minutes
- Category: Christmas Dinner Ideas
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg