10 New Year’s Day Food Traditions for Good Luck and Prosperity

New Year’s Day isn’t just about resolutions it’s about rituals, food traditions that go way back, and meals that make your whole house feel warm and hopeful for the year ahead. Across the U.S. and beyond, folks serve up dishes that are believed to bring luck, wealth, longevity, happiness, and forward momentum in the coming year. Many of these traditions tie right into the recipes below and the symbolism that makes them meaningful.

Instant Pot Spicy Black Eyed Peas

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Black eyed peas are a classic New Year’s Day tradition, said to bring luck and prosperity in the year ahead. This Instant Pot version is bold, smoky, and comforting thanks to the sausage and spices, and it comes together fast with very little effort. It’s the kind of dish that feels meaningful but still easy enough to pull off on a laid-back holiday morning.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Spicy Black Eyed Peas

Slow Cooker Collard Greens

Collard greens are often served on New Year’s Day because their deep green color symbolizes money and abundance. This slow cooker version turns tender and flavorful as it simmers, making it a low-stress side dish that pairs perfectly with peas, pork, or cornbread. Just set it and let it work its magic while you enjoy the day.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Collard Greens

Dutch Oven Pork Tenderloin

Pork is traditionally eaten on New Year’s Day to represent moving forward and making progress in the year ahead. This Dutch oven pork tenderloin is juicy, hearty, and full of rich flavor, making it a perfect centerpiece for a lucky holiday meal that still feels cozy and comforting.
Get the Recipe: Dutch Oven Pork Tenderloin

Sweet Skillet Cornbread

A skillet of cornbread with a slice topped with butter, next to a bowl of honey and a honey dipper. — Sweet Skillet Cornbread. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Cornbread is a New Year staple thanks to its golden color, which is often linked to wealth and good fortune. This sweet skillet cornbread bakes up soft inside with crisp edges and pairs beautifully with greens and black eyed peas. It’s simple, nostalgic, and exactly what belongs on a traditional New Year’s plate.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Skillet Cornbread

Hibachi Noodles

Long noodles are served in many cultures on New Year’s Day to symbolize longevity and a long, happy life. These hibachi-style noodles are buttery, savory, and incredibly satisfying, making them a fun and flavorful way to work a meaningful tradition into your holiday meal.
Get the Recipe: Hibachi Noodles

Kielbasa and Sauerkraut

Pork and cabbage or sauerkraut are often served together on New Year’s Day as symbols of luck, wealth, and abundance. This kielbasa and sauerkraut dish is hearty, tangy, and comforting, making it a great option for anyone who loves old-world traditions with bold, savory flavor.
Get the Recipe: Kielbasa and Sauerkraut

Pomegranate Orange Sparkler

Two champagne pomegranate cocktails in coupe glasses on a dark blue background scattered with pomegranate seeds. — Pomegranate Orange Sparkler. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Pomegranate has long been associated with prosperity and good fortune, making it a natural fit for New Year celebrations. This sparkling pomegranate orange cocktail is bright, festive, and refreshing, adding a pop of color and meaning to your holiday toast without feeling heavy.
Get the Recipe: Pomegranate Orange Sparkler

Fried Cabbage with Onions and Bacon

Cabbage is another New Year favorite tied to wealth and prosperity, and this fried version brings serious comfort-food appeal. Cooked with onions and bacon, it’s rich, savory, and simple, making it an easy side dish that still feels deeply rooted in tradition.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Onions and Bacon

Italian Lentil Soup (Zuppa di Lenticchie)

Lentils are traditionally eaten on New Year’s Day because their round shape resembles coins, symbolizing financial luck in the coming year. This Italian lentil soup is warm, hearty, and satisfying, making it a comforting way to start the year with both flavor and meaning.
Get the Recipe: Italian Lentil Soup (Zuppa di Lenticchie)

Tres Leches Bundt Cake

A thick slice of plain pound cake with a light glaze sits on a white plate, with a bundle of plates and a striped cloth napkin in the background.

Round desserts are often served on New Year’s Day to represent completion and a fresh full circle. This tres leches Bundt cake is rich, moist, and perfect for sharing, making it a sweet and symbolic way to end your New Year’s meal on a celebratory note.
Get the Recipe: Tres Leches Bundt Cake