Description
A stunning holiday centerpiece featuring a juicy crown roast of pork filled with fragrant apple‑herb stuffing. Perfect for Christmas, Thanksgiving, or any special gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 crown roast of pork (about 8–10 lbs), trimmed and tied
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon rosemary, finely chopped
- 1 cup chicken broth (for basting)
- 6 cups day‑old bread cubes (white or sourdough, lightly toasted)
- 2 medium apples, peeled and diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 celery stalks, diced
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried sage (or 1 tablespoon fresh)
- 1 teaspoon thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 3/4 cup chicken broth (low sodium if preferred)
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and position the rack in the lower third.
- In a large skillet, melt butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and celery; sauté for 5–7 minutes until softened.
- Add apples and cook for another 3 minutes until slightly tender.
- Stir in thyme, sage, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat and fold in toasted bread cubes.
- Gradually pour in chicken broth while stirring until the mixture is moistened but not soggy. Add the beaten egg and mix gently. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Rub the pork with olive oil, salt, pepper, thyme, and rosemary. Arrange it in a roasting pan in a crown shape (bones facing up) and tie with kitchen twine if needed.
- Spoon the apple‑herb stuffing into the center cavity, packing lightly.
- Roast for 2 to 2½ hours (about 20 minutes per pound), basting occasionally with chicken broth, until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C).
- Remove from the oven, tent loosely with foil, and let rest for 20 minutes.
- Slice between each rib and serve with a generous spoonful of stuffing.
Notes
Toast the bread cubes before mixing to prevent soggy stuffing. Baste the roast every 30 minutes for juicy meat. Let the roast rest before slicing to retain moisture. For a festive twist, add cranberries or pecans to the stuffing.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chop with stuffing
- Calories: 525
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 35
Keywords: crown roast of pork, apple herb stuffing, holiday dinner, Christmas roast, Thanksgiving centerpiece, pork roast recipe