Looking for the perfect food to eat outdoors? Sausage rolls are a must-have for picnic season! While you can buy delicious sausage rolls in some bakeries (such as Bread 41 in Dublin 2), making your own is a great option. To save you time, I tested six different sausage roll recipes (including one vegetarian recipe) and have developed my own recipe.
When it comes to pastry, shop-bought puff pastry will do the trick, but for an extra special touch, I highly recommend making your own all-butter puff pastry. For the filling, good quality sausages are essential – avoid cheap sausages as they won’t make a good sausage roll. I found that fresh herbs, such as sage, thyme, rosemary, and parsley add great flavor. You can also try strong, woody perennial herbs like rosemary, sage, bay, thyme, and tarragon.
For a festive twist, try Donal Skehan’s recipe with streaky bacon and dried cranberries, or opt for Clonakilty’s black pudding variation with grated apple – both are delicious. If you’re vegetarian or vegan, The Happy Pear’s vegan sausage rolls with a filling made from cashews and mushrooms are a must-try.
When it comes to shaping and baking, I prefer little two-bite sausage rolls – perfect for picnics and canapés. Top with an egg wash and poppy seeds or sesame seeds for added flavor.
If you’d like to try out my recipe for herby sausage rolls, which includes lots of fresh and dried herbs, see below. And for more information on my recipe testing process and references, check out the links below. Happy cooking!
Recipe: Beth O’Brien’s herby sausage rolls
