It’s easy to start the new year off right when you’re serving up a classic southern New Year’s Day dinner. We’re talking black eyed peas, savory greens and lots of pork- food that’s been showing up on everyone’s New Year’s Day menu all around the south for more than a century.
And while many of us eat those dishes year round, if you’re in the know, then eating them on New Year’s Day means spooning up a plate full of good fortune, prosperity and a little folding money.
For instance, on January 1, black eyed peas aren’t just a humble garden pea. Symbolizing little coins, eating them on the first day of the year is supposed to bring good luck, or good fortune.
And what should we serve with those lucky peas?
Well, nothing goes better with coins than a little green folding money for our pockets. Any leafy green will do, but collard greens or cabbage are what tend to show up most on our plates. Representing stacks and stacks of crisp bills just waiting for us out there in the new year, they are the perfect partner for our black eyed peas.
Last but not least, we certainly can’t forget about the pork. On New Year’s Day, eating pork is said to bring about all-around prosperity. Why? Because pigs root forward when looking for food, signifying a forward trajectory in life. No “one step forward, two steps back” kind of year for those who do New Year’s Day right!
Looking to whip up a little New Year’s wealth and fortune of your own? Here are a few recipes that are sure to have you moving in the right direction with high hopes and a little spending money tucked away.
What To Eat For New Year's Day
Beefy Roasted Cabbage Steaks
Beefy Roasted Cabbage Steaks are tender, roasted slices of cabbage with tempting crispy, caramelized edges and a subtle beefy flavor. They make for a tantalizingly savory vegetable side dish, perfect for almost any meal!
Deep South Hoppin' John Black Eyed Peas
As Southern as it is delicious, this traditional black eyed pea recipe enjoys the rich flavors of pork, bell peppers, onion, celery, herbs and spices served over rice. Hoppin’ John is comforting, stick-to-your ribs, real kind of food. And even though it’s a favorite New Year’s Day dish, just one bite will have you wanting to dig in all year long!
Cranberry Bacon Walnut Stuffed Pork Tenderloin with Collard Greens
In this stuffed pork tenderloin recipe, juicy roasted tenderloin wraps around a seasonal filling of bacon, collard greens and walnuts combined with cranberries and goat cheese to create a beautiful holiday and special occasions dish that looks fancy but is so easy to make!
Skillet Fried Cabbage & Bacon
Fried Cabbage done right is a crisp tender southern side dish loaded with smoky bacon, tender onion and creole seasonings. As it lightly cooks, fried cabbage develops a mellow sweetness that complements just about any main dish. Even if you don’t think you like cabbage, get ready to be won over. You’re going to find yourself loving this classic recipe!
Easy Cheddar Jalapeno Cornbread Muffins
Cheddar Jalapeno Cornbread Muffins are the perfect way to round out almost any meal with a little pizzazz! This easy to follow cornbread recipe has plenty of cheesy goodness, a hint of sweetness & just the right amount of jalapeno kick all baked right into moist tender, buttermilk cornbread.
Southern Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Savory, seasoned beef and pork with rice, onions and peppers are wrapped in tender cabbage leaves then baked in a rich, tangy tomato sauce in this classic Southern Stuffed Cabbage Rolls recipe.
Southern Slow Cooker Black Eyed Peas & Ham
No time to tend a pot? No problem! This easy, no-soak, crock pot black eyed pea recipe delivers THE BEST Southern Black Eyed Peas & Ham with a deliciously subtle jalapeno kick. Simple, effortless and oh-so tasty. Your vegetable side dish game is about to change!
Southern Cornbread Pudding
A classic southern side dish that falls somewhere between a sweet, buttery cornbread muffin and a creamy, rich soufflé, Southern Cornbread pudding is the ultimate easy comfort recipe. Whipped up quick with Jiffy corn muffin mix, sour cream, sharp cheddar cheese, creamed and whole kernel corn, this simple dish will find it’s way onto your weeknight & holiday tables!
Cherry Cola BBQ Pulled Pork
Your family is going to love eating Cherry Cola BBQ Pulled Pork! It’s a simple recipe that can be thrown together and cooked low and slow in the oven or in the crock pot. A little salt and pepper, BBQ sauce and our secret ingredient of cherry cola make for a “fall apart” tender pork roast that you’re going to want to eat all the time!
Parmesan Brussel Sprouts with Bacon
Rich & delicious brussel sprouts with bacon, simmered in white wine, butter, garlic, salt & pepper and topped with shredded Parmesan make some kind of side dish! Cooked just right in a cast iron skillet, these sprouts have it all- carmelized edges, golden outsides and sweet centers. Say hello to your new favorite veggie!
Southern Pecan Crusted Ham
Easy Southern Pecan Crusted Ham is as delicious as it is gorgeous! This showstopping stunner bakes up golden brown with a rich brown sugar, molasses, apple juice glaze and buttery pecan crust. Savory, sweet and holiday perfect, you won’t believe how easy it is to bake up this amazing ham!
Southern Black Eyed Pea Salad
This classic Southern Black Eyed Pea Salad combines the savory goodness of creamy black eyed peas with the zesty crunch of crisp red and green bell peppers and purple onion. Marinated in Italian salad dressing, this easy salad is the perfect side dish for every meal from New Year’s Day to cookouts and potlucks.
Easy Sweet Potato Cornbread
Sweet and earthy with warm spices, a hint of molasses and a humble cornbread crumble, Easy Sweet Potato Cornbread is the perfect side dish for a hot bowl of soup or chili, Sunday’s fried chicken, even Thanksgiving!
Creamy Southern Coleslaw
With just the right amount of that sweet and tangy dressing we all love, this is the best coleslaw recipe! It’s simple, keeps its crunch, has loads of creamy flavor and is perfect for every occasion. Creamy Southern Coleslaw is a quick and easy side dish that’s hard to resist.
The Perfect Peppered Pork Tenderloin
This easy-to-follow Pepper Crusted Pork Tenderloin recipe uses a simple, wonderfully aromatic cracked peppercorn rub, plus Dijon mustard, to create a delightful main dish that is perfect for family meals or holiday dinners. First, seared in a cast iron skillet to seal in the juices then baked in an oven, this Perfect Pepper Crusted Pork Loin is melt in your mouth tender with a fiery little pepper kick!
Creamy Brussels Sprouts Au Gratin
This Brussels Sprouts Au Gratin recipe is made with tender, shredded Brussels sprouts smothered in a rich, creamy cheese sauce made with smoked gouda, shaved Parmesan, garlic and heavy cream. Topped with crisp panko and salty bacon, these veggies becomes a classic Thanksgiving side dish everyone is guaranteed to love!
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