Jiggs Dinner

If you've got beef, yellow split peas and cabbage, you're most of the way to this Canadian beef: about 70 minutes of cooking across 9 steps. You'll find the full ingredient list (with a scaler to change the servings), 9 steps of method, substitutions, and ideas for what to serve alongside.
You'll mainly reach for pan and large pot. At medium difficulty across 9 steps, it's manageable with a little attention.
What you'll need
Shopping list (6)
Pantry staples (you likely have these)
🔁 Unit converter
How to make it
- The night before, break salt beef into big chunks and soak in water overnight, at least 8-10 hours. Put split peas into a bowl and cover with water to soak overnight.
- Drain the salt beef and place it into a large stockpot.
- Cover with fresh water, at least 6-7 litres.
- Place the split peas into a pease pudding canvas bag or triple layer of cheesecloth and tie, making sure to leave room for peas to expand inside the bag.
- Put the bag inside the pot, tying the strings to the outside handle so it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pot with the salt beef. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 2 hours.
- Remove the peas pudding bag and empty contents into a bowl, mixing with butter and pepper for taste. Set aside.
- Add your cabbage to the pot and boil for 20 more minutes. Then add turnip, carrots and potatoes then boil for 20 more, or until vegetables are tender.
- Remove salt beef and vegetables from the pot and put them on a platter.
- Use the cooking liquid in two ways; as a pot liquor which some people like to drink or reduce it to make a jus or gravy to pour over the meal.
You'll use: Pan · Large pot · Saucepan
Watch how it's made

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Ingredient substitutions
- Butter
- olive oil (¾ the amount) · coconut oil · margarine
What to serve with Jiggs Dinner
- Poutine Miscellaneous
- Canadian Butter Tarts Dessert
- Nanaimo Bars Dessert
- Split Pea Soup Side
Tips & common questions
How long does Jiggs Dinner take to make?
About 70 minutes from start to finish — an estimate based on the 9 steps and 8 ingredients. Times vary with your kitchen and how much prep you do ahead.
What can I use instead of butter?
Try olive oil (¾ the amount). See the substitutions section above for more swaps.
Can I scale this recipe up or down?
Yes — use the servings control above the ingredients and every quantity rescales automatically (fractions included). Cooking times stay roughly the same; very large batches may need a little longer.
How should I store leftovers?
Cool leftovers quickly, refrigerate in an airtight container, and eat within 3 days. Reheat until piping hot throughout.
Recipe data for Jiggs Dinner via TheMealDB (open database). ▶ Video. Original source. Consomee adds the scaler, ingredient tools, timing and structure — how we source recipes.







