There’s something about the smell of a Jiggs Dinner simmering away on the stove that instantly feels like home. Long before anyone gathered around the table, the aroma of salt beef, fresh vegetables, and savoury pease pudding filled the house, letting everyone know Sunday dinner was on the way.
For many Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, a traditional Jiggs Dinner is much more than a meal—it’s a family tradition. While every household has its own way of preparing it, the classic plate usually includes salt beef, cabbage, carrots, turnip, potatoes, pease pudding, and sometimes cooked greens. Many families also add roast chicken or turkey alongside the salt beef, while others wouldn’t dream of serving it without a generous helping of dressing and rich gravy. And of course, there’s always plenty of leftovers for a cold plate or sandwiches the next day!
What makes Jiggs Dinner so special isn’t just the ingredients—it’s the memories that come with it. Family gathered around the kitchen table, stories being shared, laughter filling the room, and everyone reaching for just one more spoonful of pease pudding.
Now we’d love to hear from you!
What goes into your perfect Jiggs Dinner? Do you make it the traditional way, or does your family have a few special additions? How often do you enjoy a Jiggs Dinner? Do you have any old family recipes or favourite memories of Sunday dinners growing up?
Share your photos, recipes, memories, and stories in the comments below, and don’t forget to tag someone who always makes an unforgettable Jiggs Dinner!
If you enjoy celebrating the traditions of Newfoundland and Labrador, please like this post, leave a comment, and share it with your friends. Be sure to react to and reply to other people’s stories too—that’s what makes the ShareNL community so special.
Let’s keep celebrating everything that makes Newfoundland and Labrador such a wonderful place to call home—one story, one photo, and one memory at a time.
