Delia Smith’s Sausage Rolls Recipe

Delia Smith, the undisputed queen of British home cooking, is renowned for her practical yet profoundly delicious recipes. Her sausage rolls are no exception – a traditional British staple elevated by simplicity, high-quality ingredients, and precision.

At its core, a Delia Smith sausage roll is the perfect marriage of flaky, buttery puff pastry wrapped around well-seasoned sausage meat. They’re ideal for parties, afternoon teas, picnics, or a casual family snack. What makes her version stand out is the attention to detail – homemade rough puff pastry (although shortcuts exist), the balance of herbs, and the careful technique that ensures crisp, golden perfection every time.

Delia Smith’s Sausage Rolls Recipe

Ingredients Needed

Delia’s version can vary slightly depending on the book or era, but here’s a foundational list based on her classic approach:

✨ For The Pastry

• 225g plain flour
• 175g cold butter, cut into small cubes
• A pinch of salt
• Cold water to mix (approx. 6-8 tablespoons)

✨ For The Filling

• 450g good-quality sausage meat or skinned sausages (Cumberland is a classic choice)
• 1 small onion, very finely chopped or grated
• 1 teaspoon dried sage (or 1 tbsp fresh, finely chopped)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Optional: A little English mustard or Worcestershire sauce for a kick

✨ For Assembly

• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• A sprinkle of flour (for rolling out the pastry)

Optional additions:

• A dusting of poppy or sesame seeds on top for crunch and visual appeal

Equipment Needed

To recreate this comfort-food masterpiece at home, gather the following tools:

• A large mixing bowl (for making the pastry and mixing the sausage filling)
• Rolling pin
• Sharp knife or pastry cutter
• Baking tray
• Baking parchment or non-stick liner
• Pastry brush
• Measuring scales and spoons
• Fork (for crimping)
• Cooling rack (optional, but helps preserve crispness)

Step-by-Step Guide To Make Delia Smith’s Sausage Rolls

Here’s a meticulous walkthrough of Delia’s method:

1. 🌾 Make The Rough Puff Pastry

   • Sift the flour and salt into a large bowl.
   • Add the cubes of butter and gently toss them in the flour – you want to keep them chunky.
   • Add cold water bit by bit until the dough comes together.
   • Roll into a rectangle, fold it into thirds like a letter, rotate 90 degrees, and repeat three times. Chill the pastry for 30 minutes to an hour. This creates those magical flaky layers.

2. 🧆 Prepare The Sausage Filling

   • In a bowl, combine the sausage meat with onion, sage, and seasoning.
   • Mix gently with your hands or a fork, taking care not to overwork the mixture.

3. 🧑‍🍳 Roll And Fill

   • Roll out the chilled pastry into a large rectangle, around 3mm thick.
   • Cut into two long strips (about 12cm wide each).
   • Shape the sausage mixture into long sausages and lay one down the center of each pastry strip.
   • Brush one edge with egg wash and fold the pastry over the sausage to seal it into a log.
   • Press the seam lightly with a fork to secure and trim the edges for a neat finish.

4. 🔪 Slice And Bake

   • Cut the long rolls into bite-sized or larger individual rolls.
   • Place on a lined baking tray, seam side down.
   • Brush the tops generously with egg wash.
   • (Optional: sprinkle seeds on top for extra flair.)

5. 🔥 Bake

   • Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan)/400°F/gas mark 6.
   • Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until puffed, deep golden, and crisp.
6. ❄️ Cool slightly before serving. They’re delightful warm, but equally moreish at room temperature.

Mastering The Recipe: Tips And Tricks

✔️ Cold Hands, Cold Butter: Keep everything cold, especially your butter and hands, to ensure the puff pastry rises in delicate layers rather than melting into a soggy base.

✔️ Quality Sausage Meat: Don’t skimp on this. A high-quality sausage (with at least 80% meat content) makes all the difference in flavor and texture. Experiment with flavors like caramelized onion or Lincolnshire-style herbs.

✔️ Avoid Overstuffing: It’s tempting to pack them full, but too much sausage can make the pastry soggy or cause splits during baking.

✔️ Make Ahead Friendly: You can assemble the rolls and freeze them unbaked. Just bake from frozen, adding 5-10 minutes to the cooking time.

✔️ Glaze Like a Pro: Double-brush with egg wash for a golden sheen. Let the first coat dry for a minute before adding the second.

Delia Smith’s sausage rolls are a timeless treat – rustic, flavorful, and deeply comforting. Whether you’re making them for a party platter, a family picnic, or simply to relive the nostalgic flavors of traditional British baking, this recipe is both accessible and reliably delicious.

What elevates this humble dish is Delia’s commitment to good technique, top ingredients, and that subtle seasoning touch that turns something simple into something sublime. With buttery pastry and a tender, savory center, these sausage rolls are a bite-sized celebration of everything that’s right with British baking.

Simple Twists On Delia Smith’s Sausage Rolls Recipe

Delia Smith’s original sausage roll recipe is a masterclass in British comfort food-flaky, buttery pastry wrapped around seasoned sausage meat. But once you’ve mastered the basics, it’s the perfect canvas for creative experimentation. Here are some inspired ways to elevate and personalize the classic:

1. 🧀 Cheddar & Caramelized Onion Infusion

   • Add a layer of sharp mature cheddar and a spoonful of sweet, slow-cooked caramelized onions beneath the sausage meat. This creates a deeply savory-sweet interplay that’s irresistible. The cheese melts into the meat while the onions add luxurious depth.

2. 🌿 Herb Garden Rolls

   

   • Mix finely chopped fresh herbs-think sage, thyme, rosemary, and parsley-into the sausage meat. This fresh twist brightens the richness and makes the rolls feel more refined and aromatic.

3. 🌶️ Spicy Chorizo Remix

   • For those who love heat and smokiness, replace part of the sausage meat with finely chopped Spanish chorizo. Add a pinch of smoked paprika and a hint of chili flakes. The result? A bold, Iberian twist that pairs wonderfully with a glass of red wine.

4. 🥬 Veggie-Forward Fusion

   • Want a semi-vegetarian option? Blend sausage meat with sautéed leeks, spinach, or even finely grated courgette. It lightens the texture, adds a burst of green, and makes the rolls feel more balanced.

5. 🍏 Apple & Fennel Magic

   • Add finely grated green apple and a few crushed fennel seeds to the filling. The apple brings juiciness and a touch of sweetness, while fennel complements the pork with an anise-like fragrance.

How To Properly Store Leftovers

Sausage rolls are at their most glorious straight from the oven, but if you’ve made a big batch (and let’s be honest-you should), leftovers are a gift that keeps on giving.

1. 🧊 In The Fridge

   • Let the sausage rolls cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
   • To reheat: Pop them in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 10-15 minutes. This restores the pastry’s crispness far better than microwaving.

2. ❄️ In The Freezer

   • Freeze them either baked or unbaked. For baked rolls, wrap each in cling film and store in a freezer-safe container. For unbaked rolls, freeze them on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a bag.
   • Reheat straight from frozen in the oven-just increase the time to around 25 minutes for raw rolls or 15 for pre-cooked ones.

3. 🚫 Avoid Sogginess

   • When reheating, avoid foil or closed containers that trap steam. A baking tray and a hot oven ensure they stay golden and crisp.

What To Eat With Delia Smith’s Sausage Rolls?

Sausage rolls might seem like a standalone snack, but with the right sides and accompaniments, they become a full-blown feast. Here are some pairing ideas that celebrate their versatility:

1. 🥗 Fresh, Tangy Salads

   • Pair with a crisp green salad with vinaigrette or a slaw made with fennel, apple, and lemon juice. This contrast cuts through the richness of the pastry and sausage.

2. 🥔 Potato Sides

   • Go classic with mustardy potato salad, or roast some new potatoes with rosemary and sea salt. For a twist, try parsnip crisps or sweet potato wedges.

3. 🍅 Chutneys & Dips

   • A tangy tomato chutney, spicy mango relish, or even a herbed yogurt dip elevate each bite. English mustard or HP sauce is a must-have for purists.

4. 🍵 Soup Pairings

   • Serve alongside a warming bowl of tomato basil soup, leek and potato, or even a thick lentil stew. Perfect for colder days when comfort is everything.

5. 🍷 Beverage Companions

   • A cold, crisp cider works brilliantly with pork. For wine, try a medium-bodied red like a Côtes du Rhône or a chilled Pinot Noir. If you’re going non-alcoholic, a sparkling elderflower pressé or ginger beer is delightfully complementary.

Conclusion

Delia Smith’s sausage rolls are more than just a savory treat-they’re a nostalgic homage to British baking, a blank slate for culinary creativity, and a comfort-food staple perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re adding bold flavors, storing them for midweek lunches, or pairing them with a zesty salad and crisp cider, these golden parcels can be whatever you need them to be: humble, hearty, or haute-cuisine.

So go ahead-experiment, store smart, pair wisely, and savor every flaky, flavorful bite.

FAQs

What Makes Delia Smith’s Sausage Rolls Different From Other Recipes?

Delia Smith’s sausage rolls are known for their balance of high-quality ingredients and simplicity. Her recipe uses a delicious combination of seasoned sausage meat wrapped in a flaky, buttery pastry. The technique emphasizes the importance of using a good-quality sausage filling and ensuring the pastry is cold when handling it, which creates a light and crisp texture.

Can I Make Delia Smith’s Sausage Rolls Ahead Of Time?

Yes, you can prepare Delia Smith’s sausage rolls in advance. After assembling the rolls, you can freeze them before baking.

Just place them on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a storage bag or container. When you’re ready to cook, bake them from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time for perfectly crisp rolls.

What Kind Of Sausage Should I Use For Delia Smith’s Sausage Rolls?

Delia Smith recommends using good-quality sausages with a balanced flavor. Ideally, use sausages with a higher meat content and avoid overly fatty varieties, as this can make the rolls greasy. You can also experiment with different types of sausages, such as pork, herbed sausages, or even chicken sausage, depending on your flavor preferences.