10+ Traditional New Year's Day Recipes

If you are looking for good luck and prosperity in the new year, ensure your menu on New Year’s Day includes traditional dishes including greens, pork, black-eyed peas, and cornbread. This may be folklore, but after the year we have had, we need all of the good luck we can muster.

I have rounded-up these tasty and lucky recipes to give you the best chance of a happy and prosperous new year! I’ve also thrown in a festive cocktail recipe because every new year should be a celebration!

Southern Black-Eyed Peas

In the South, Black-Eyed Peas are considered a classic New Year’s Day tradition! And, according to tradition, eating Black-Eyed Peas on New Year’s Day will bring good luck and prosperity in the new year! My healthy Southern Black-Eyed Peas recipe is also perfect when paired with brown rice for a delicious, low-calorie, nutritional bonanza!

Black-Eyed Pea Soup – Southern-Style

Black-Eyed Pea Soup, full of carrots, celery, onions, and collard greens, is the epitome of a lucky New Year’s Day dish. With black-eyed peas for luck and greens, which symbolize money, you can’t go wrong with this nutritious and delicious soup to welcome in the new year.

Healthy Southern Collard Greens

Healthy Southern Collard Greens are made without traditional ham hocks or other pork products. This simple, straightforward method of cooking the greens enhances the mild flavor of the fresh collards and keeps them crisp and tender. According to tradition, greens are the same color as money, and making a dish using green, leafy vegetables ensures good fortune for the coming year.

Easy Southern Hoppin’ John

Another New Year’s Day tradition in the South is eating Hoppin’ John for dinner. Hoppin’ John is nothing more than cooked Black-Eyed Peas served over white or brown rice, and this recipe couldn’t be easier. Some folks also like to serve Hoppin’ John with a side of cooked turnip or collard greens and a piece of cornbread to soak up all the delicious juices.

The Best Oven-Baked Baby Back Ribs

Oven-baked baby back ribs are mouthwateringly juicy and fall-off-the-bone tender. When slathered with tangy barbecue sauce, they are plain finger-lickin’ good! According to tradition, the more pork you have on New Year’s day, the more good luck you will have! And that’s good enough for me!

Black-Eyed Pea Hummus

New Year’s Day is coming up, and we have established that you need black-eyed peas so that you will have the best chance for good luck and prosperity. How about serving this hummus as an appetizer on New Year’s Eve, and then another black-eyed pea recipe for New Year’s Day? You can never have too much good luck.

Old-Fashioned Southern Buttermilk Cornbread

Hot out of the oven, this Old-Fashioned Southern Buttermilk Cornbread with its delicious corn flavor and crispy, crunchy edges has been a family favorite for generations. And, it’s a quick and easy, gluten-free recipe. Classic Southern cornbread made in a cast-iron skillet is a true Southern staple and, according to tradition, it symbolizes gold.

Lucky Black-Eyed Pea Salad

We have already established that eating Black-Eyed Peas on New Year’s Day brings prosperity and good luck in the year ahead. That’s why this delicious and nutritious dish is called Lucky Black-Eyed Pea Salad.

Brown Sugar Bourbon-Glazed Ham

Nothing says New Year’s Day dinner like baked ham! Lots of it, especially this classic bourbon-glazed ham with pineapple! I know you and your family or guests will love this easy baked ham recipe. It’s complete with traditional pineapple rings and maraschino cherries. Don’t forget the more pork you have, the better your luck will be!

Traditional Southern Cornbread

Easy traditional southern cornbread, made with buttermilk and stone-ground cornmeal, is full of rich corn flavor and has a deliciously crunchy crust. A true reflection of southern goodness, this cornbread is made in a cast-iron skillet. It’s versatile, easy to prepare, and it’s a welcome addition to any meal. It is also amazing straight out of the oven topped with just a pat of butter. Try either this recipe or my gluten-free Old-Fashioned Southern Buttermilk Cornbread recipe. And, plan to serve it with your black-eyed peas and collard greens.

Bonus: Meyer Lemon French 75

See, just reading this roundup post about lucky foods has already brought you good luck! You are lucky to find this recipe for an elegant champagne cocktail to welcome in the New Year! It is a celebration after all. Not only is this cocktail delicious, but it is a great way to use up some of your Meyer lemons.

I guarantee all of these recipes taste great! The lucky part is up to you! Happy New Year!

If you are planning a New Year’s Eve celebration, be sure to check out my round-up post 47 Fun & Festive Holiday Party Appetizer recipes. If you need more menu ideas, you can find all of my appetizer recipes here.

★ If you make any of these recipes, please leave a comment. I would love to know how you liked it!

Thanks so much for visiting Grits and Pinecones!