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- Every December 18
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National Roast Suckling Pig Day invites you to indulge in a decadent feast every December 18. This delicacy, prized for its tender meat, is a culinary tradition around the globe. Gather your loved ones, prepare your roaster, and explore recipes to celebrate this sumptuous occasion.
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Expected National Roast Suckling Pig Day Deals
As National Roast Suckling Pig Day approaches, expect specialty butchers and gourmet grocers to highlight premium cuts and pre-marinated options. Retailers like Whole Foods Market and The Fresh Market may offer special orders or prepared dishes. Online meat purveyors such as Heritage Foods USA and D’Artagnan often feature suckling pigs for home delivery. Kitchenware stores like Williams-Sonoma and Sur La Table might promote roasting pans, carving sets, and thermometers. Keep an eye on local restaurants specializing in global cuisine, as many will offer limited-time suckling pig specials. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as December 18 approaches.
Platform Guide for National Roast Suckling Pig Day
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #RoastSucklingPigDay. Share your roasting process, from prep to plating, in a mouth-watering video.
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalRoastSucklingPigDay. Post stunning photos of your finished feast and tag your favorite culinary accounts.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #RoastSucklingPigDay. Share family recipes, tips for perfect crackling, and photos of your holiday gathering.
National Roast Suckling Pig Day Hero
Anthony Bourdain
History of National Roast Suckling Pig Day
No one is sure why or when National Roast Suckling Pig Day came about, but it’s no surprise that there’s a day dedicated to this delicacy. We’ve all probably seen similar pictures in children’s storybooks and cartoons of a pig on a large dish with an apple in its mouth in the center of a table surrounded by medieval festivities. Pigs and people have come a long way together in history. They’re one of the very first animals to have been domesticated by humans.
Suckling pigs are known to have been the centerpiece of feasts and banquets in various cuisines and are a traditional dish in several countries, such as China, Spain, the U.S., and the Philippines. Some of the earliest references to the suckling pig appear in ancient texts dating back to the sixth century, such as in the Salian Law: “If someone has stolen a suckling pig and this is proven against him, the guilty party will be sentenced to 120 denarii which adds up to three solidi [Latin coins].” Clearly, people had already quite valued their piggy property in those days.
However, Spain is generally recognized as the true country of origin for the tradition of roasting a suckling pig, which they call cochinillo asado. The most well-known Spanish region for this dish is Castile and, more specifically, the city of Segovia. It is said to have been brought to Spain by the Roman invasion of what was then called Hispania in 218 B.C. There was an upsurge in the popularity of the dish in the 1930s, when the owner of a Segovian tavern began cutting the roast suckling pig with the edge of a plate, to demonstrate the tenderness of the meat, and add some showmanship to the way the dish was presented to its diners. This sparked a new trend, which continues to be performed in various Spanish restaurants to this day.
The delicacy is such a significant part of Spain that it’s even been alluded to by various literary greats. Miguel de Cervantes, in his novel “Don Quixote”, wrote that Don Quixote and his squire Sancho Panza come across a wedding in the Castilian countryside where they’re met with the sight of several suckling pigs roasting over a fire. Ernest Hemingway also famously enjoyed this dish and mentions his favorite Spanish restaurant, renowned for its roast suckling pig, in “The Sun Also Rises”.
National Roast Suckling Pig Day timeline
The Roman Empire invades Hispania, bringing with it the roast suckling pig tradition and kick-starting the dish’s popularity among the Spanish.
The earliest mention of the suckling pig appears in records dating from the sixth century, such as the Salian Law.
Casa Botin in Madrid opens, which is known as the oldest restaurant in Madrid and reportedly makes the best cochinillo asado.
Don Candido, a Segovian tavern-owner, begins entertaining his guests by cutting roast suckling pig with the edge of a plate to demonstrate its tenderness.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Roast Suckling Pig Day
Local restaurants and catering businesses can make National Roast Suckling Pig Day a highlight by offering special menus or catering packages featuring this delicacy. Butcher shops can promote their fresh, high-quality suckling pigs, providing preparation tips and recipes to customers. Culinary schools or cooking class providers could host workshops on traditional roasting techniques. Even food bloggers and local media can collaborate with eateries to showcase the best roast suckling pig dishes in their area, driving community engagement and culinary exploration.
National Roast Suckling Pig Day FAQs
When is National Roast Suckling Pig Day?
National Roast Suckling Pig Day 2026 falls on Friday, December 18. It’s the perfect occasion to gather friends and family for a festive pre-holiday feast.
How is suckling pig traditionally prepared?
Traditional preparation often involves seasoning the pig with a blend of herbs, spices, and garlic, then slow-roasting it whole in an oven, on a spit, or in a roasting box like a ‘La Caja China.’ The goal is incredibly tender meat with crispy, crackling skin.
Where does the tradition of roasting suckling pig come from?
The tradition of roasting suckling pig dates back centuries, with roots in various European, Asian, and Latin American cultures. It has historically been a celebratory dish, often served at holidays, weddings, and other significant feasts, symbolizing abundance and prosperity.
What is the ideal size for a suckling pig?
A suckling pig typically weighs between 15 and 25 pounds, which is ideal for serving 10 to 20 people. This size ensures the meat remains tender and moist, characteristic of a young pig that has not yet been weaned.
How To Celebrate National Roast Suckling Pig Day
Roast your own suckling pig, of course!
It’s not your typical after-work slapdash dinner. If you want a well-cooked piglet that’s tender on the inside and crispy on the outside, it will need to roast for about 1.5 hours. However, if you follow the traditional Spanish recipe, the preparation is pretty straightforward: simply season it with garlic, a generous amount of salt, and thyme. Pair it with a good red wine and buen provecho!
Dine out at a restaurant that does it in the traditional way
If you don’t have the time or energy to cook it yourself, treat yourself to the full experience at a restaurant that might do it even better. Although many restaurants in Spain and China specialize in authentic roast suckling pig, you can also experience it in your home-town. Various eateries around the U.S. serve this dish on National Roast Suckling Pig Day.
Throw a feast
Aside from roasting a suckling pig yourself, you could also make a whole do of it and invite over all your friends and family — a big meal like that needs to be shared, after all. Make it a medieval- or Spanish-themed dress-up party. Set a long table with silver goblets and crockery, and don’t forget to add the final touch before placing your centerpiece dish on the table: an apple in the mouth of your roasted porker.
5 Facts About National Roast Suckling Pig Day That Will Blow Your Mind
The oldest restaurant in the world serves it
According to the Guinness World Records, Casa Botin, which reportedly serves the best cochinillo asado is the oldest restaurant in the world.
It won’t increase your cholesterol
The meat of a suckling pig contains 40% less fat than an adult pig, so it won’t boost your cholesterol levels.
It’s a sign of prosperity
In China, a whole roast pig is a symbol of wealth and prosperity, so it’s often served at weddings and other special occasions.
Hemingway was an earnest fan
Casa Botin was frequented by famous American novelist, Ernest Hemingway, who took a particular liking to roast suckling pig and regularly indulged in the delicacy at a table in a corner beside the kitchen.
The plate-cutting tradition has become more spectacular
Nowadays, in some traditional Spanish restaurants, in addition to cutting your roast suckling pig with the edge of a plate, the chef ceremoniously holds up the plate and dramatically smashes it on the floor.
Why We Love National Roast Suckling Pig Day
It’s a traditional dish shared by many cultures
China, Spain, and the U.S. aren’t the only countries that have adopted roast suckling pig into their cuisine. Other places like Porto Rico, Hawaii, Cuba, and the Philippines also love it. So although it is practically universal, it is cooked in many different ways unique to each culture.
It’s not only delicious, but it’s healthier, too
Since the meat is more gelatinous, it can help strengthen your bones and the high collagen levels are good for your skin. Not to mention the 40% lower fat percentage than adult pigs!
It can feed a whole family, for days!
Don’t we all love a meal that can be dished up in generous portions, and still allows for second helpings? And if you’re only feeding a family of four, there will most probably be leftovers that can be enjoyed for a week.
National Roast Suckling Pig Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | December 18 | Friday |
| 2027 | December 18 | Saturday |
| 2028 | December 18 | Monday |
| 2029 | December 18 | Tuesday |
| 2030 | December 18 | Wednesday |
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