Having a holiday party or get-together? Check out these three entertaining recipes for pork — you’ll surprise your guests and make it easy on yourself. 

The holidays are all about getting together with family and friends, gathering everyone you love at your place to share some delicious food and, well, create beautiful memories and make new traditions. But don’t get stressed, it’s the most fun time of the year, and everyone just wants to get together during the winter break.

Pork is perfect for holiday entertaining, as it plays well with many flavours of the season, like festive cranberries, creamy Brie, and herbs like sage and thyme. What’s not to love? Think of special meals, as so many of them revolve around this meat. Succulent pork is a crowd-pleaser: it’s delicious, convenient and versatile. Why choose pork to serve your guests? Pork has a lot to offer: nutritionally it is a powerhouse, providing high-quality protein, essential B vitamins and minerals we need like iron, zinc, and magnesium. Lean pork is low in saturated fat, and it’s a good source of energy as well. Plus it’s easy on your wallet, especially important during the festive season! Bonus: the mild taste is always a big hit with both kids and adults, so you don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen creating different dishes for everyone.  

Keep it simple and stress-free with these three yummy recipes that are perfect to serve up to guests. We’ve chosen them for their easy prep, great taste and versatility. All you really need to round out the buffet table is a few complementary appies and bevvies. Be sure to offer zero-alcohol as well, for which there are now a myriad of options available. Trust us, pork dishes out more bounce for the ounce, and your guests will take home happy memories when you make pork the star of the evening.  

Mini Pork Confit Croquettes with Parmesan & Sage 

Credit: Charles-Olivier Bourque

MAKES 24 croquettes 

HANDS-ON TIME 15 minutes 

TOTAL TIME 25 minutes 

INGREDIENTS

10 oz ground pork 

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (approx.) 

1 tsp finely chopped fresh sage 

Salt and pepper 

1/2 cup all-purpose flour 

1 egg, beaten 

1 cup Italian-style bread crumbs 

2 tbsp olive oil 

Lemon wedges and fresh greens 

Dipping sauce 

DIRECTIONS

1. In a bowl, mix together pork, Parmesan, and sage. Season with salt and pepper. 

2. Form mixture into small 1-inch balls. Roll in flour, dip in beaten egg, then coat with breadcrumbs. 

3. Heat olive oil in a non-stick skillet set over medium heat. Fry croquettes for about 10 minutes, turning often to brown all over, or until golden and cooked but still juicy. 

4. Serve topped with Parmesan, freshly cracked pepper, and lemon wedges on a bed of fresh greens, with preferred dipping sauce on the side.  

Puff Pastry Bites with Pork, Brie & Cranberries 

Credit: Charles-Olivier Bourque

MAKES 24 bites 

HANDS-ON TIME 15 minutes 

TOTAL TIME 35 minutes 

INGREDIENTS

8 oz fresh pork tenderloin, cut into 24 small cubes 

1 tsp olive oil 

Salt and pepper 

1 sheet puff pastry, thawed 

3 oz Brie cheese, cut into 24 small pieces 

1/2 cup cranberry sauce (approx.) 

1 egg, beaten  

Fresh herbs or microgreens (optional) 

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C ). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 

2. In a small pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sear pork cubes for 3 to 4 minutes or until just cooked but still slightly pink in the centre. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside. 

3. Cut puff pastry into 24 squares. 

4. Place a cube of pork, Brie cheese, and a teaspoonful of cranberry sauce on each square. Bring corners together at centre to form a parcel and brush with beaten egg. 

5. Bake for 16 to 18 minutes or until golden and puffed.  

6. Garnish with fresh herbs or microgreens, if desired. Serve with extra cranberry sauce on the side. Serve warm. 

Cranberry-Dijon Pork Loin 

Credit: Charles-Olivier Bourque

MAKES 4 servings 

HANDS-ON TIME 5 minutes 

TOTAL TIME 40 minutes 

INGREDIENTS

1 fresh thick-cut pork loin (1-1.3 lb) 

1/4 cup cranberry sauce (approx.) 

2 tbsp Dijon mustard 

1 tbsp olive oil 

2 tsp fresh thyme leaves 

Salt and pepper 

Fresh greens  

Fresh herbs (optional) 

SIDES  

1 cup roasted baby carrots 

1 cup roasted brussels sprouts or green beans 

1/2 cup roasted red bell peppers 

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). 

2. Mix together cranberry sauce, Dijon mustard, olive oil and thyme. Season pork with salt and pepper, and place in a roasting pan. 

3. Brush pork with cranberry-Dijon mixture. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C) and pork is still slightly pink in the centre. 

4. Remove from oven; let rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Slice and serve on a bed of fresh greens, along with colorful roasted vegetables. 

5. Drizzle extra cranberry sauce over pork slices and garnish with fresh herbs, if desired.