Traditional New Year’s Day Foods for a Delicious January 1st

After all the excitement and anticipation of New Year’s Eve is over, many get to enjoy a day off work to spend January 1 with family and friends. That often means getting together around the table for a hearty meal, and certain foods have become staples of the New Year’s Day menu. Of course, these are often influenced by family heritage and vary significantly from region to region, so there’s no “right” or “wrong” way to celebrate New Year’s Day. 

But what are some of the foods that have become part of New Year’s Day tradition, and how did they earn that status? Since many of us look to the new year with optimism and wishes for good fortune, health, and prosperity, many of the things we eat on New Year’s Day are imbued with superstitious or auspicious meanings. Others, however, are just there because they taste great or are fun to eat and drink!

Traditional New Year’s Day foods

These are some of the most traditional ingredients and foods you’ll find being served in homes on New Year’s Day.

1. Greens

Many traditional New Year’s Day foods have become that way due to their symbolism. Leafy greens represent the color of money, so it’s no surprise to find that households all over the country serve green vegetables to symbolize their hopes for prosperity in the new year. Collard greens are a popular choice in America’s south, but equally, you might find mustard greens, kale, green peas, and other green vegetables being enjoyed with your New Year’s Day meal.

2. Cornbread

Again, it’s all about the symbolism. Just as greens represent money, cornbread represents gold and is a staple of New Year’s Day celebrations in the south. 

3. Sauerkraut

Sauerkraut is believed to bring luck, in part because of its green leaves but also because its long shreds represent longevity and good health.

4. Black-eyed peas

In New Year’s Day tradition, black-eyed peas are to coins what cornbread is to gold.

5. Hog jowls

Pork is a meat that many associates with New Year’s Day. Fatty pork jowls are usually cured and smoked, giving a flavor that is the perfect complement to your new year greens or black-eyed peas. 

6. Pomegranate

Pomegranates have been associated with good luck and strength, dating all the way back to ancient Greek culture. They’re still an integral part of New Year’s celebrations in modern-day Greece, but in the United States, they also pop up on New Year’s dinner tables as ingredients in everything from salads to cocktails.  

New Year’s Day soups

Soups are a perfect starting point for a New Year’s Day meal and can be prepared in large batches, leaving you with enough leftovers to feed your family and friends for days. These soups both utilize ingredients that are traditionally thought to be auspicious, and they’re also perfect for warming up your guests if you live in a colder climate.

1. Potlikker

Potlikker utilizes the rich, savory broth left behind after boiling collard greens in water. Add smoked meat to the boil for extra flavor.

2. Pea soup

Split pea soup or black-eyed pea soup are both great ways of incorporating those good-luck ingredients into your New Year’s Day meal. 

Traditional New Year’s Day entrees

We’ve already identified some of the ingredients that have become part of the fabric of New Year’s Day for families, but of course, we don’t eat them all separately. These dishes incorporate one or more traditional New Year’s Day foods into delicious entrees that are enjoyed every new year. 

1. Pork and sauerkraut

Pork comes up time and again on New Year’s Day menus worldwide. You may not realize it, but pork is the preferred meat for many families on New Year’s Day because pigs move forward as they eat; thus, pork represents progress in the new year. Roasted pork served with sauerkraut is a longstanding New Year’s tradition for many. 

2. Fish

Often associated with good fortune, fish is another option you can consider serving up for your New Year’s Day lunch or dinner.

Best sides for New Year’s Day meals

As a New Year’s Day host, your job is to ensure that your guests are so full they fall asleep in front of the TV within minutes of finishing the meal. Offering up a selection of hearty, filling sides to pair with your mains is a great way of getting you there. 

1. Creamed spinach

The more money-green vegetables you have on your New Year’s Day table, the better. This one combines spinach and cream to an enjoyable effect.  

2. Mac and cheese

Mac and cheese is year-round comfort food, but it’s also a popular holiday side, and with good reason. 

3. Potatoes au gratin

This dish of sliced potatoes in a creamy sauce with a crispy baked cheese topping is so rich it could almost be an entree. 

New Year’s Day cocktails

Start your New Year off with these brunchy drinks, but be sure to offer non-alcoholic beverages for the non-drinkers. 

1. Bloody Mary

The quintessential hair-of-the-dog drink combines vodka, tomato juice, a celery stick, and a mix of spices. Buy a Bloody Mary mix to make preparation a cinch.

2. Mimosa

This brunch favorite combines sparkling wine and orange juice for a bright, peppy, and vitamin C-powered start to your new year.

3. Bellini

A cousin of the mimosa, the bellini marries peach puree with sparkling wine. Another fun drink ideally suited to a celebration with friends and family. 

4. Aperol Spritz

Aperol, prosecco (or other sparkling wine), and club soda, usually served with a slice of orange. Serve this popular aperitif to your guests upon arrival to kick off your New Year’s Day celebration in style. 

What not to eat at New Year

Just as generations of people have placed their faith in the belief that eating certain foods will bring them luck in the new year, some foods have ended up on the flip side of that coin. Here are some of the items you might choose to leave out of your New Year’s Day meal plan. 

1. Lobster

Lobsters can swim backward, which can be seen as signifying possible setbacks.  

2. Chicken

As with lobster, chicken is often left off the New Year’s Eve menu due to their habit of scratching backward.

Get ready to celebrate with Instacart

After all the preparation for the holiday season, you definitely don’t want to leave your New Year’s Day shopping until the last minute. Use Instacart to find all the ingredients you need to bring good luck in the new year and much more besides.

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