Why You’ll Love This Christmas Cranberry Pork Roll-Up Recipe

Get ready to impress without the stress this holiday season! Our Christmas Cranberry Pork Roll-Up is more than just a meal; it’s a festive centerpiece that promises delight with every slice. Here are four irresistible reasons why this recipe will become your new holiday favorite:

Festive & Flavorful Fiesta: Imagine succulent pork tenderloin embracing a symphony of sweet-tart cranberry, earthy sage, tender spinach, caramelized onions, and creamy goat cheese. It’s a flavor explosion that screams “holidays” in the most delicious way!
Impressively Easy Presentation: This dish looks like it took hours of culinary school training, but trust us, it’s surprisingly straightforward. The elegant pinwheel slices reveal layers of vibrant color and texture, making your holiday table instantly more sophisticated.
Healthy & Wholesome: Who says holiday feasting can’t be good for you? Lean pork tenderloin combined with a bounty of fresh spinach and cranberries makes for a balanced meal that leaves you feeling satisfied, not stuffed.
The Perfect Holiday Crowd-Pleaser: Whether you’re hosting an intimate family dinner or a larger gathering, this Christmas Cranberry Pork Roll-Up scales beautifully. It’s unique enough to spark conversation but universally appealing, ensuring everyone finds something to love.

Get Ready to Roll into the Holidays with this Festive Delight!

Tired of the same old holiday ham or turkey? Craving a show-stopping main course that’s both deliciously unique and surprisingly simple to prepare? Look no further! This year, make your holiday table sparkle with our incredible Christmas Cranberry Pork Roll-Up. Picture this: juicy, tender pork tenderloin, lovingly butterflied and spread with a vibrant cranberry sauce, then layered with sweet caramelized onions, fresh wilted spinach, and tangy crumbled goat cheese. Rolled up, tied with twine, and roasted to golden perfection, each slice reveals a gorgeous spiral of festive flavors and colors. It’s a culinary hug that’s perfect for gathering loved ones around the table, making memories, and savoring the magic of the season. Let’s dive into creating this masterpiece that will have everyone asking for seconds!

Gather Your Festive Feast Ingredients

To bring this delightful Christmas Cranberry Pork Roll-Up to life, you’ll need these fresh and flavorful components:

🧈 2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter, divided
🧂 1/2 teaspoon Salt, plus more for seasoning
🌿 3 tablespoons Fresh Sage, finely chopped
🧅 1 Sweet Onion, thinly sliced (about 1/8-inch)
🥬 3 cups Fresh Spinach
🧄 3 cloves Garlic, minced
🧀 6 ounces Crumbled Goat Cheese
🐖 1 Boneless Pork Tenderloin (1 to 2 pounds), butterflied lengthwise
🍒 1/2 cup Cranberry Sauce (whole berry recommended)
🌶️ 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper, freshly ground, plus more for seasoning
🔪 Kitchen twine

Your Step-by-Step Guide to a Perfect Christmas Cranberry Pork Roll-Up

Follow these easy instructions to create a show-stopping Christmas Cranberry Pork Roll-Up:

Gently Cook the Onions: In a large pan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced onion and a pinch of salt. Cook gently, stirring often, for 30-40 minutes until the onions turn soft and golden brown. Stir in the fresh sage, then transfer the caramelized onions to a bowl. This slow cook develops incredible sweetness!
Wilt the Spinach and Garlic: Using the same pan (no need to clean!), melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the fresh spinach and cook, stirring occasionally, until it just wilts down. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.
Prepare the Pork Tenderloin: Preheat your oven to a hot 450°F (230°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray. On a clean cutting board, carefully butterfly your pork tenderloin by slicing it open lengthwise, creating a flat, even surface. Season the inside generously with salt and pepper.
Fill and Roll: Evenly spread the cranberry sauce over the butterflied pork, leaving a small border around the edges. Layer the wilted spinach, then the caramelized onions, and finally crumble the goat cheese on top. Tightly roll the pork tenderloin and secure it with kitchen twine to hold its shape. Season the outside of the rolled pork with salt and pepper.
Roast to Perfection: Place the rolled and tied pork tenderloin on your prepared baking sheet. Roast in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 140-145°F (60-63°C).
Rest, Slice, and Serve: Once cooked, transfer the pork tenderloin to a cutting board and let it rest for a crucial 20 minutes. This helps the juices redistribute and the filling set. Remove the twine, slice into thick rounds, and serve immediately. Enjoy your festive and healthy holiday meal!

Presenting and Serving Your Gorgeous Christmas Cranberry Pork Roll-Up

The beauty of the Christmas Cranberry Pork Roll-Up isn’t just in its taste, but also its stunning visual appeal! Once rested, remove the kitchen twine and carefully slice the pork into thick, approximately 1-inch rounds. Arrange these vibrant pinwheels artfully on a large serving platter. For an extra festive touch, garnish the platter with a few fresh cranberries, sprigs of fresh sage or rosemary, or a light drizzle of extra warmed cranberry sauce. You could even sprinkle a touch more crumbled goat cheese over the top just before serving!

To complete your holiday spread, consider pairing this dish with complementary sides. Roasted root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, or sweet potatoes tossed with a touch of maple syrup and herbs would be a fantastic choice. Creamy mashed potatoes (regular or garlic-infused), a fluffy wild rice pilaf, or vibrant green beans almondine are also excellent companions. A simple, crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette would provide a refreshing counterpoint to the rich flavors. Serve family-style directly from the platter, allowing guests to admire the beautiful layers, or plate individually for a more elegant dining experience. Don’t forget to have a small bowl of extra cranberry sauce or a light pan gravy on the side for those who desire a little extra moisture!

Storing Your Leftover Christmas Cranberry Pork Roll-Up

While leftovers of this delicious Christmas Cranberry Pork Roll-Up might be rare, it’s good to know how to properly store them! Any remaining sliced pork roll-up should be transferred to an airtight container and refrigerated promptly. It will stay fresh and delicious for 3 to 4 days. When reheating, it’s best to do so gently to prevent the pork from drying out. You can warm slices in a microwave on a lower power setting, or covered in a conventional oven at 300°F (150°C) until just heated through. While technically possible, freezing the cooked roll-up isn’t ideal due to the textures of the goat cheese and spinach, which can become watery or grainy upon thawing. For the best experience, enjoy this festive dish fresh or within a few days from the fridge!

Frequently Asked Questions About Your Christmas Cranberry Pork Roll-Up

Can I use a different cut of pork for this recipe?
While pork tenderloin is recommended for its tenderness and ideal shape for rolling, you could potentially use a boneless pork loin. However, you’d need to adjust cooking times as loin is thicker and less tender, and it might require more pounding to get an even thickness for rolling.
What if I don’t have fresh sage? Can I use dried sage?
Yes, you can substitute dried sage, but use less as its flavor is more concentrated. As a general rule, use 1 teaspoon of dried herbs for every 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs. So, for 3 tablespoons of fresh sage, use 1 teaspoon of dried sage.
Can I prepare this Christmas Cranberry Pork Roll-Up ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can butterfly, fill, and roll the pork tenderloin, then tie it with twine. Cover it tightly and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before roasting. This makes holiday meal prep much smoother!
How do I properly butterfly a pork tenderloin?
Place the tenderloin on a cutting board. With a sharp knife, make a lengthwise cut down the center, almost all the way through, stopping about 1/2 to 1 inch from the opposite side. Open it up like a book. If it’s still too thick, you can lightly pound it with a meat mallet between two pieces of plastic wrap to create an even surface.
What is the ideal internal temperature for pork tenderloin?
The USDA recommends cooking pork to an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). Our recipe targets 140-145°F (60-63°C) before resting, as the temperature will rise slightly during the 20-minute rest period, ensuring a perfectly juicy and safe pork.
I’m not a fan of goat cheese. What’s a good substitute?
Feta cheese can offer a similar tangy, salty crumble. For a milder, creamier option, you could use cream cheese or ricotta mixed with a pinch of salt and pepper.
Does it matter if I use whole berry or jellied cranberry sauce?
Whole berry cranberry sauce is highly recommended for this Christmas Cranberry Pork Roll-Up. It provides better texture, a more natural tartness, and a rustic look compared to the smoother, often sweeter jellied varieties.
How do I prevent the filling from falling out when I roll the pork?
The key is to roll the pork tightly and evenly. Don’t overfill, and ensure the filling is spread in an even layer. The kitchen twine is crucial for securing it and maintaining its shape during roasting.
I don’t have kitchen twine. What can I use instead?
While kitchen twine is best, you can use several toothpicks spaced along the seam to secure the roll. Alternatively, you could try wrapping the roll tightly in foil, but this won’t achieve the same browning on the exterior.
Is this Christmas Cranberry Pork Roll-Up recipe gluten-free?
Yes, as written, this recipe is naturally gluten-free! All the ingredients are free of gluten-containing grains, making it a wonderful option for those with gluten sensitivities or allergies.