The Tradition of A Pork Dinner On New Year's Day, Explained

The tradition of a pork dinner on New Year's Day originates from an area closer than you'd expect! Have you heard that eating pork to ring in the new year is lucky? We live in a great region with many traditions, mainly based around enjoying delicious meals. Hey, we're not complaining!

This tradition started in Germany and was brought over by immigrants to America. It was carried on by our own Pennsylvania Dutch! This is not the first tradition we've mentioned from the PA Dutch. We're thankful for the experiences they have carried on.

Pork is considered to be a lucky meal because pigs root forward for food. This symbolizes progress and moving ahead in the new year. Paired with sauerkraut, symbolizing wealth and longevity, you're off to a great start for 2026.

Even if you do not believe in these traditions, you can still enjoy a delicious pork dinner from Gaiss' Market. Our pork loin roasts are available from 3-8 pounds, seasoned or unseasoned, and you can easily order online with just a $20 deposit.

We also have pork chops cut to your desired thickness, both with and without the bone, and we have bone in pork roasts, too. If you're not interested in pork, try a beef tenderloin or prime rib.

Our pork is all USA sourced, specifically from Wholestone Farms. We're The Butcher You Can Trust because we offer transparency about our products. Wholestone Farms is a farmer owned cooperative by 235 farmers in Fremont, Nebraska. Wholestone has just one single processing plant, so the commitment to quality is always upheld.

Roasting your loin is very easy. It's not a roast that will fall apart, so be sure to cook it steady at one temperature the whole time. We recommend first searing the loin to get a nice brown color and lock in flavors, but this step is optional. Place the roast into a pan, fat side up, and bake at 325 degrees for 50-70 minutes (for a 3-4 pound roast) until the center reads 145 degrees with a meat thermometer. For larger roasts, expect to cook for 70-90 minutes depending on the size.

Happy New Year!