Institute reveals sausage roll discoveries from public trial
Media Release
The Ultimate Sausage Roll: 10 Tips from the National Institute for Sausage Roll Excellence
With footy finals on the horizon, one question dominates kitchens and canteens alike: what makes the ultimate sausage roll?
The National Institute for Sausage Roll Excellence (NISRE), championed by Otway Pork, has taken this mystery out of the oven and into the lab. The Institute launched a nationwide trial, calling on the public to submit their most closely guarded sausage roll secrets.
The response was overwhelming. Hundreds of “research partners” shared tips, tweaks, and theories — from family traditions to international twists — all rigorously tested over generations. Until now.
Top 10 Variables to Elevate Your Sausage Roll
- Fresh grated apple: Balances savoury and sweet in the filling.
- Fennel seeds: Prized for their distinctive anise flavour, used by pro chef and butcher Darren O’Rourke.
- Curry powder: Adds a dash of extra kick to the mix.
- Worcestershire sauce: Adds depth, both in the filling and as a dipping sauce.
- Caramelised onion: Fold deeply caramelised onions into the filling for richer flavour.
- Turnips: An unconventional yet popular addition grated into the mix.
- Zesty chutney: Swap traditional tomato sauce for chutney or mustard to complement the meaty filling.
- Sweet chilli sauce: Brings sweet yet tangy heat, creating a fusion twist.
- French onion soup: Incorporate French onion soup mix for rich, flavour-packed depth.
- Hide them: Keep them away from the kids — a tongue-in-cheek tip that works!
Additional Expert Tip
Vice Chancellor of NISRE and Otway Pork CEO, Duncan Parry, adds:
“You can’t go past grated cheese added to the minced pork mix, with a little egg brushed on top for extra crispy pastry. While flavour pairings vary, the control variable remains constant: quality pork. And the finest pork is Otway Pork.”
From grated apple to French onion soup, the findings show Australians are willing to experiment — but only within one framework: puff pastry wrapped around Otway Pork.
NISRE encourages the public to continue their at-home experiments and submit new discoveries to further the science of sausage roll excellence.
Otway Pork is available in butchers, delis, specialty food stores, and supermarkets across Australia.
