Jamie Oliver's perfect pigs in blankets are a must for Christmas Day - recipe (2024)

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Christmas dinner would not be complete without everybody's favourite - pigs in blankets. Here's how to make this tasty side dish, Jamie Oliver style.

By Anna Barry

According to new festive research by Tesco, pigs in blankets are the nation's favourite Christmas trimming.

On average, four and a half pigs in blankets will be eaten per person over the festive period.

Superstar chef Jamie Oliver shared how you can make this beloved Christmassy side at home for the big day. They're not only tasty but "super easy" too, according to the chef.

On his official website Jamie said: "Use this method to ensure you get super-sticky, shiny, caramelised pigs in blankets for your Christmas feast. Delicious!"

This recipe makes 12 pigs in blankets but quantities can be amended depending on party size.

READ MORE: Jamie Oliver's easy baked eggs make the perfect Sunday breakfast - recipe

Jamie Oliver's perfect pigs in blankets are a must for Christmas Day - recipe (3)

'Super-sticky, shiny, caramelised pigs in blankets' (Image: Getty)

Ingredients

  • 12 rashers of higher-welfare smoked streaky bacon
  • A few sprigs of fresh woody herbs, such as sage, thyme, rosemary
  • 12 higher-welfare chipolata sausages
  • Three tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • One to two teaspoons of runny honey

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Jamie Oliver's perfect pigs in blankets are a must for Christmas Day - recipe (4)

Pigs in blankets are a festive favourite (Image: Getty)

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Method

Get ahead

1. One at a time, place the bacon out on a board and run the sharp side of a knife along the length of the rasher to stretch it out. According to Jamie, this step is for ultimate crispiness.

2. Add a few herb leaves on each piece. Place a sausage at one end of the bacon and roll until it’s completely wrapped up. Pop in a roasting tray. Repeat with the rest of the bacon and sausages to form 12 pigs in blankets.

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    On the day

    1. Place your prepped roasting tray in a preheated oven at 180°C/350°F/gas 4 for 30 minutes or until "golden, gnarly and cooked through".

    2. Grab a fish slice and scrape the pigs in blankets from the bottom of the tray but leave them in there. Spoon in the Worcestershire sauce and give the tray a good shake, but be careful - you don't want to see any little piggies go flying. Scrape the sticky goodness from the bottom of the tray and coat your bacon and sausages.

    3. Drizzle in the honey, then place on medium heat on the hob and bring to a boil until caramelised. Keep shaking to coat. Serve straight away with your Christmas dinner.

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    Jamie Oliver's perfect pigs in blankets are a must for Christmas Day - recipe (2024)

    FAQs

    How do you make pigs in a blanket not soggy? ›

    To prevent soggy pigs in a blanket: Pat the hot dog or Lil' Smokies with a paper towel prior to wrapping in the crescent dough to decrease the amount of moisture you add in. This will keep the pigs in a blanket crispy, not soggy.

    Why do we eat pigs in blankets at Christmas? ›

    Why are pigs in blankets eaten at Christmas? There are no specific known origins of pigs in blankets becoming a traditional part of the British Christmas dinner, but the first written record of the product in general goes back to 1957.

    Can you prep pigs in a blanket day before? ›

    These mini pigs in a blanket can easily be made ahead of time and heated up later for your convenience. We don't recommend freezing them prior to baking—you can choose to either assemble your crescent roll pigs in a blanket a couple of hours ahead before baking and store them in the fridge, or freeze them after baking.

    How many pigs in a blanket are eaten on Christmas Day? ›

    It is estimated that over 128 million pigs in blankets are eaten on Christmas Day alone!

    What weiners do you use for pigs in a blanket? ›

    A dry German Riesling would be a delightful pairing for Pigs in a Blanket. This wine, hailing from Germany, is known for its high acidity and crisp, fruity flavors, which can cut through the richness of the sausage and pastry.

    How long can you leave pigs in a blanket out? ›

    How long can cooked pigs in a blanket sit out? Cooked pigs in a blanket can sit out at room temperature for up to 2 hours. After that, they should be refrigerated and reheated before serving.

    What do Americans call pigs in blankets? ›

    In the United States the term "pigs in a blanket" typically refers to hot dogs in croissant dough, but may include Vienna sausages, co*cktail or breakfast/link sausages baked inside biscuit dough or croissant dough.

    What do the Scottish call pigs in blankets? ›

    Pigs in blankets, kilted sausages or kilted soldiers is a dish served in the United Kingdom and Ireland consisting of small sausages (usually chipolatas) wrapped in bacon. They are a popular and traditional accompaniment to roast turkey in a Christmas dinner and are served as a side dish.

    What are the original pigs in a blanket made of? ›

    A pig in a blanket is a sausage (originally a pork sausage, hence the “pig”) wrapped in either a pancake, biscuit dough, or a crescent-style piece of pastry (you guessed it, that's the “blanket”).

    How many pigs are in a blanket per person? ›

    Pro Tip: plan for about 4-6 of these little bites per person – yes, they are that delicious!

    Can you cook pigs in blankets the day before and reheat? ›

    You can prepare the pigs in blankets the night before, and keep them in a sealed container until you're ready to cook them. I find these are best served freshly cooked but they do reheat ok if you need to get more ahead. Cook them the day before, cool, and store in the fridge.

    Can you eat pigs in a blanket at room temperature? ›

    This appetizer is good hot out of the oven or cooled to room temperature. I think these taste best the day they are baked.

    Why is it called a pig in a blanket? ›

    The exact origin of the term “pigs in a blanket” is unknown, but it seems to be linked to an appetizer of the same name, the small sausages wrapped in bacon that are commonly served during Christmastime in the U.K.

    What is the most eaten meat on Christmas? ›

    Top 5 Traditional Meats For Christmas Dinner
    1. Turkey. Let's admit it, a whole turkey is the best and most traditional meat for Christmas dinners. ...
    2. Beef. Beef often comes to mind when choosing Christmas meats and for good reason. ...
    3. Ham and Gammon. What's Christmas without a joint of ham? ...
    4. Pork. ...
    5. Lamb.

    What is the most eaten thing at Christmas? ›

    Turkey is the most popular Christmassy meat. Roast potatoes are our top trimming, closely followed by carrots, then the all-important gravy, pigs in blankets, and stuffing. Plum pudding is the most Christmassy dessert.

    How to keep crescent rolls from getting soggy? ›

    Ensure fresh pastries have cooled to room temperature before wrapping them up to prevent residual heat from creating condensation that will turn them soggy. Choose to freeze your pastries instead of merely refrigerating them to keep them for longer.

    Can I use a crockpot to keep pigs in a blanket warm? ›

    How do you keep pigs in a blanket warm for a party? You can either keep them in a low-heat oven (around 225 F degrees), and just pull out one plate-full at a time, or you can keep them warm in a slow cooker. The slow cooker method may make them a bit soggy, but it's less hands-on than the oven method.

    How do I make my pig comfortable? ›

    Hold them against your body so they feel secure. Continue to pet, talk gently to your baby pig, and give them treats (having a helper to feed treats while you try to cradle your pig works well). Once your pig is okay with being cradled, try and lift them up a bit.

    How do you dry feed a pig? ›

    Pre-weaning: Introduce dry feed

    Brown recommends the first dry feed be placed in the farrowing crates three to five days before weaning at a rate of 1.5 to 2.5 pounds (0.68-1.13kg) of feed per litter. “Introducing pigs to dry feed prior to weaning is important so pigs can get familiar with the feed,” Brown says.

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