To kick off the new year right, make sure you serve these traditional, Classic Southern New Year’s Day Menu for good luck and prosperity. It’s out with the old and in with the new, and it all starts with this delicious menu!
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New Year’s Day has always been one of my favorite days of the year. Growing up, my whole family and many of us gathered at my Grandmother’s house for lunch on the first day of the year.
The incredible memory of walking through the back door and smelling amazing aromas of incredible food that would soon be served up is something I will cherish forever.
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Why This Meal Is So Special
There were and still are three traditional New Year’s Day foods – pork, greens, and black-eyed peas. These three simple things were, always, had to be on everyone’s plates. There were NO excuses, and my Grandmother and Aunts didn’t care if you liked them. You were taking a bite. Of. Each. One.
Now, as this New Year’s Day meal rolls around, my boys are asking, “So, are we doing the New Year’s meal thing?” The answer is a resounding YES. And this year, more than ever, we are going all in and doing it right!
The Meanings Behind The Tradition
There are always 3 classic recipes on every Southern New Year’s Day menu. They are pork, greens, and black-eyed peas. Some folks throw in a fourth – cornbread – but for me, it’s the perfect thing to go along with the other three. Here’s why we do what we do:
- Pork – we eat it for a very, very good reason. Pigs move, actually snort, forward, not backward. I am all about moving forward, learning from the past but not living there. Several yummy pork recipe options include Smoked Pulled Pork, Brown Sugar Mustard Ham, and Easy Crock Pot Ham.
- Greens – symbolize wealth. I prefer collard greens, but any leafy healthy greens that are cooked will do. I like to serve them with a dash or two of hot sauce and a sprinkle of apple cider vinegar or even Pickled Swet Red Peppers. If you are not into cooked greens, you could enjoy a Spinach Salad or even hot spinach dip and still fall under the “Southern tradition” rules.
- Black Eyed Peas – are for luck (no bad luck allowed) and good fortune. In my family, we’ve always said they represent the “coins” we’d have in the new year, so, my advice is to grab a dish and eat up!
All these years later, I still keep those special memories alive. It’s a tradition. So, I do it. I have changed a few recipes to a bit more modern versions of Southern comfort food for my family.
Classic Starters
Welcome the New Year with a taste of Southern hospitality and charm by featuring classic appetizers that are full of down-home goodness. These starters are not only delicious but also embody the warmth and festivity of Southern New Year’s Day traditions.
Easy 3-Ingredient Sausage Dip
Three-ingredient Spicy Sausage Dip is the perfect (and quick) appetizer to whip up for your next party, game-day gathering, potluck, or snack on over the weekend. Delicious, homey ingredients are combined for a taste that will leave everyone wanting more.
Homemade Pimento Cheese
Homemade Pimento Cheese is a classic Southern recipe that’s rich, creamy, and so easy to make. This cheesy spread made with pimentos and just the right amount of peppery seasoning is perfect served with crackers, and celery, as a sandwich, or slathered on a burger.
Sweet Heat Pickles
Sweet heat pickles made from kosher pickles, red pepper flakes, garlic, herbs, and sugar are a delicious and crazy twist on traditional pickles. They are a fabulous balance of sweet and spicy flavors, perfect for layering on burgers, and sandwiches, served on charcuterie boards, or just eating right out of the jar!
Crock Pot Spinach Artichoke Dip
Spinach Artichoke Dip is rich, creamy, and super easy to make in the slow cooker. This cheesy, warm dip with swirls of fresh spinach and artichokes is a crowd-pleasing appetizer that's perfect for your next party, game day celebration, or when you're entertaining.
Creamy Southern Deviled Eggs
Extra creamy deviled eggs are a classic, crowd-pleasing appetizer and a must for any southern holiday celebration. This deviled egg recipe is simple to make with no frills or fancy extras. They are the perfect finger food for holidays, parties and gatherings any time of the year.
New Year’s Day Dinner Main Dishes
Get ready to ring in the New Year with a mouth-watering spread of Southern favorites that are sure to make your celebration special! These traditional Southern main dishes are not just recipes; they’re a tribute to comfort, family, and the hopeful start of a prosperous New Year!
Crock Pot Country Style Pork Ribs
Slow-cooked country-style pork ribs are fall off the bone tender and juicy! These meaty ribs are coated in a thick rich sauce flavored with garlic, honey, soy sauce, and chili powder and are perfect for weeknight meals or weekend gatherings. So, forget heading to the local BBQ joint. You can make delicious ribs at home!
Slow Cooker Balsamic Brown Sugar Glazed Pork Roast
Sweet, tangy balsamic vinegar, rich brown sugar, a few herbs and spices covering a lean pork roast, all cooked low and slow for a few hours.
Brown Sugar Mustard Baked Ham
Get ready to fall in love with this scrumptious Brown Sugar Mustard Baked Ham! Trust me, after just 15 minutes of prep, you'll have a mouthwatering dish featuring a heavenly combo of whole grain and Dijon mustard, along with the sweetness of Coca-Cola.
6-Ingredient Crock Pot Pulled Pork
Easy to make with six ingredients, slow-cooked pulled pork infused with spices and brown sugar practically melts in your mouth with each tender bite! This simple barbecue-style recipe is great for serving piled high on sandwich buns or as a main dish, and is terrific when you're feeding a crowd.
Copycat Honey Baked Ham Recipe
Honey Baked Ham with a sweet, caramelized glaze is the star of the show on any holiday table! There's no need to spend extra time and money ordering this popular main dish when you can make this delicious, impressive copycat baked ham recipe at home.
Delicious Sides
No Southern table is complete without a steaming pot of black-eyed peas, and tender greens, and what better to sop up all that flavor than with a slice of golden, buttery cornbread. What makes these dishes and other must makes so special? They’re staples of Southern tradition, promising a year of happiness and prosperity with every bite!
BEST Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas
Grab your Instant Pot and make the BEST Black Eyed Peas ever! This no-soak recipe makes tender, flavorful peas that are perfect for any family dinner, Sunday supper and a must-make for New Year’s Day.
Best Creamed Corn Cornbread Muffins
These cornbread muffins are bursting with corn flavor and are great served alongside your favorite chili, soup, or stew. Creamed Corn Cornbread Muffins, made in less than 30 minutes, are amazing right out of the oven slathered with butter, and great to serve at any meal, any time of the year.
Collard Greens
If you like greens, then this recipe is for you! I’ve been making collar greens this way for years and they have become somewhat famous. Every fall, the Southern Soul hot line lights up with folks asking
Southern Fried Corn Fritters
Sweet, savory, and studded with corn, and fried to golden perfection, these Southern Fried Corn Fritters are outrageously delicious! They're crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, make the perfect small bites for appetizers or snacks, and are irresistible served as a side dish.
Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing
Spinach Salad has a great combination of flavors and textures, making it so delicious and satisfying. Drizzle on warm bacon dressing, which is sweet and savory all at once, for a nutritious salad or main dish.
Crock Pot Creamed Corn
Rich, creamy Crock Pot Creamed Corn, with a hint of sweetness, might be the ultimate side dish. It's easy to make since the slow cooker does all the work! Free up your stove top or oven space during the holidays or busy weeknights with the Crock Pot.
Southern Caviar ~ Black Eyed Pea Appetizer
This dip, salsa, salad or whatever you want to call it goes by many names! I call it by it’s traditional name – Southern Caviar and tend to serve it as an appetizer along with corn chips
Sour Cream Cornbread
Sweet cornbread with creamed corn and sour cream is so easy to make! This moist cornbread starts out with a boxed mix then taken to a whole new level with just a few simple ingredients. It's perfect served alongside soups, chilis, and stews or any dish you're serving this fall.
Pear And Spinach Salad With Balsamic Vinaigrette
Fresh pears, spinach, toasted pecans, red onion, and Parmesan cheese are all tossed in a homemade dressing to make a fall salad masterpiece! It's the perfect combination of crunchy, creamy, salty, and sweet.
Sweets And Desserts
These beloved desserts aren’t just the finale to your meal; they’re a sweet promise of good things to come in the New Year!”
Million Dollar Pound Cake
Million Dollar Pound Cake is buttery, soft, has rich flavors of vanilla and almond, and is a dessert that's worthy of its name! This classic recipe not only looks impressive but also tastes amazing and, believe it or not, is very simple to make with just 7 ingredients.
Easy Southern Fruit Cobbler Recipe
Classic Southern cobbler made with sweet, juicy fruit and a buttery, crispy topping is so delicious and easy to make with just a few simple ingredients. Topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, this is comfort food taken to a whole new level!
Old Fashioned Chocolate Southern Pound Cake
This velvety dessert combines the richness of chocolate with the dense and moist texture of a traditional pound cake. Old Fashioned Chocolate Pound is soft with a tender texture that melts in your mouth with every heavenly bite.
Best Southern Sweet Potato Pie
Sweet potatoes bring out appetites, sweet potato pie brings out helpers.
Here’s wishing you a beautiful New Year full of happiness and health. May your days be blessed with peace, your table with plenty, and your home with love. I’m praying that the coming year will be filled with joy and prosperity for you and your loved ones.❤️
Happy New Year!
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