The non-negotiables
Ask ten people what belongs in a hog roast roll and nine will say the same thing: apple sauce, stuffing and crackling. It's a combination that works for good reasons. The apple's sharpness cuts through the richness of the pork, sage and onion stuffing adds savoury depth and a bit of texture, and crackling brings the crunch.
Get those three right and you've already done most of the work. Our hog roast catering always includes them as standard, because leaving any out would feel like serving fish and chips without the chips.
What comes next depends on the job the food is doing. Evening food at a wedding needs little more than those three and a good roll. A lunchtime work event or a family celebration where the hog roast is the main meal needs a fuller plate, with salads, potatoes and a proper vegetarian main. Decide that first, then build outwards.
The building blocks
Sauces
Apple sauce is the classic. Gravy turns a roll or plate into something more substantial, particularly in cooler months. A good mustard or a BBQ sauce adds variety for those who want it. For lamb, mint sauce is the natural partner.
Breads
Soft floury rolls or baps are the standard: sturdy enough to hold pork and sauce without falling apart. For a plated meal, bread is optional; for evening food it's the whole format.
Stuffing
Traditional sage and onion is what most people expect. Served in a roll or alongside on the plate, it adds flavour and helps the pork go further.
Crackling
The part people queue for. Proper crackling comes from slow roasting and careful attention to the skin, and we make sure it's shared around fairly rather than vanishing to the first few guests.
Salads and fresh sides
Once you move beyond rolls into a fuller meal, salads bring freshness and colour. Coleslaw is almost mandatory. Its crunch and tang sit naturally with pork. A mixed leaf salad, a tomato salad and a potato salad round things out without competing with the main event.
The trick is to choose sides that contrast with the pork rather than repeat it. Rich pork plus rich creamy sides plus buttery potatoes gets heavy quickly. Something sharp or crunchy on the plate makes the whole meal feel lighter.
We've written a separate, more detailed guide on hog roast side dishes covering how many to choose and what suits each season.
Potatoes, and whether you need them
For evening food served in rolls, potatoes are usually unnecessary; the bread does that job. For a main meal, they make it feel complete. New potatoes with butter and herbs suit summer weddings; potato salad works cold on a buffet; fries and sweet potato fries are popular at relaxed parties and with children.
If you're building a menu for a longer afternoon event, fries also help bridge the gap for guests who arrive after the main carving service has passed its peak.
Vegetarian and vegan options
A hog roast menu needs a proper meat-free alternative, not a roll with salad in it. Good options include halloumi, veggie burgers and plant-based sausages from the grill, which sit happily alongside the pork counter and can be served with the same sauces and sides where they're suitable.
We plan vegetarian and vegan dishes in, cook them separately where requested, and label them at service. If you have guests with specific allergies, tell us early so we can discuss the ingredients in each dish.
For events with a larger share of non-pork eaters, you might add a lamb roast or a wider BBQ selection as a second main.
Drinks that work with pork
Hosts often ask what to pour with a hog roast. In general terms, pork loves apple: a dry or medium cider is the obvious match, and sparkling apple juice is a good soft option. Light, fresh beers and lagers suit a summer roll; something maltier sits well with gravy in autumn.
For wine drinkers, lighter reds and fuller whites both work with roast pork; nothing too heavy or tannic. At a wedding, keep it simple and let your venue or drinks supplier advise. And on hot days, plenty of water and soft drinks matter more than any pairing.
Desserts
Not every hog roast needs a pudding. For evening food, most guests are happy with a roll. For a main meal or a longer celebration, a dessert finishes things nicely. Fruit-based puddings echo the apple theme; classic crowd-pleasers are always welcome at family events.
Many couples already have a wedding cake doubling as dessert, so check before adding another course. We can include desserts where appropriate; ask when you request a quote.
A simple menu formula
- Evening food: pork rolls with apple sauce, stuffing and crackling, plus a vegetarian option. Add coleslaw if you like.
- Relaxed party: the above, plus two or three salads and fries.
- Main meal: carved pork and a vegetarian main, gravy and sauces, three or four sides including potatoes, and dessert if wanted.
- Mixed crowd: hog roast plus a small BBQ selection or a lamb roast, with shared sides.
