Whew, I can’t believe it’s already time to usher in a new year. I hope your year in the kitchen was amazing and full of good food experiences!
What are some new year traditions you grew up with? Are there any you still do?
I have to admit that as a child, I had a love/hate relationship with new year’s traditions and superstitions. My mother insisted on ensuring we rang in the new year without any dirty laundry or dishes to do, so I had to help with my least favorite chores on the Eve. Luckily (no pun intended), on New Year’s Day, she ensured we filled up on cooked greens, black-eyed peas, and pork – a good hearty meal in any Southern family’s new year repertoire. I was the kid excited to eat, especially if she decided to fry up pork steaks or chops.
Fast forward 20-something years, and I’m rushing to get the laundry done and will likely make my favorite leafy green side dish: Swiss Chard Gratin. I now appreciate these traditions and look forward to celebrating the new year each year. Even if I go to a restaurant for New Year’s Eve, I look for dishes that fit the theme.
Here’s the Round-Up…
New year traditions can be fun, memorable, and delicious!
As 2022 comes to a close, I wanted to take the time and share some festive recipes from fellow food creatives. Therefore, I created this round-up of 28 recipes that will help us all ring in the new year in the most delicious way.
Below you’ll find several categories of celebratory foods and recipes! Some are traditional new year’s foods from varying cultures, and some are foods tied to superstitions. Others are festive crowd-pleasers for your party that are worth serving yearly.
Happy New Year, everyone! I wish you the best in 2023.
Lucky New Year Foods from Around the World
Korean Rice Cake and Dumpling Soup
This easy, 30 minute Tteok Mandu Guk, or Korean Rice Cake and Dumpling Soup, is perfect for a cold winter's day! A light and flavorful Asian-style broth is filled with chewy rice cakes and mandu dumplings before being topped with seaweed and egg strips. Cozy, delicious, and soothing! It's also a traditional New Year's dish in Korean culture.
Check out this recipe by Balanced with Jess
Savoy Cabbage Salad
In Germany and Ireland, green cabbage is considered lucky. Enjoy it in a lemony Savoy Cabbage Salad that's flavorful and easy to prepare in 15 minutes.
Check out this recipe by Veggies Save the Day
Vietnamese Garlic Noodles
This easy Vietnamese Garlic Noodles recipe is the perfect New Years dish! Long noodles represent longevity and luck. Chewy Asian-style noodles are coated in a buttery garlic sauce that's great with shrimp, chicken, or beef.
Check out this recipe by Balance with Jess
Marzipan Pig Candy
Marzipan pigs are gifted on New Year's Day in Germany to wish family and friends good luck. Horseshoe, chimney cleaner, four clover and a red mushroom count as good luck givers as well.
Check out this recipe
Jiaozi or Chinese Dumplings
Dumplings symbolize fortune and prosperity. Why not try these delicious, homemade Chinese dumplings?
Check out this recipe by Homemade World Cuisine
Black Eyed Pea Recipes for Prosperity
Easy & Quick Black Eyed Pea Hummus
A twist on classic hummus, with lucky Black-eyed peas in place of the chickpeas. This smoky black eyed pea hummus is a wonderful appetizer or snack that's gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan.
Check out this recipe by The VGN Way
Texas Caviar (aka Cowboy Dip)
This recipe for Texas Caviar (aka Cowboy Caviar) is loaded with black-eyed peas, black beans, corn, tomatoes, avocado, and peppers. And if you are from the south it is a tradition on New Year’s Day to eat black-eyed peas.
Check out this recipe by Casual Epicure
Black Eyed Pea Curry
This classic Indian curry with black eyed peas is made with basic pantry staples. It's a very flavorful dish to celebrate the new year with family and friends. The recipe includes instructions for both the Instant Pot and stovetop.
Check out this recipe by Flavours Treat
Crockpot Black Eyed Peas
These crockpot black eyed peas are perfect for New Year’s Day! Let your crockpot do all the work with this easy recipe.
Check out this recipe by Two Pink Peonies
Leafy Greens for Good Fortune
Swiss Chard Gratin
My recipe for Swiss Chard Gratin is a warm and creamy side dish. It's simple to make and has a richness that you'll enjoy.
Check out my recipe here.
Instant Pot Stuffed Cabbage Stew
Cabbage Stew is full of cozy, hearty and comforting vibes. This vegan dish perfect for healthy and filling start of the new year!
Check out this recipe by Profusion Curry
Vegan Stuffed Mushrooms with Ricotta and Spinach
hese festive vegan stuffed mushrooms are a perfect appetizer for the holiday season. Umami-packed mushrooms filled with cheesy vegan ricotta, spinach and garlic and topped with vegan parmesan.
Check out this recipe by Happy Kitchen
Kale Celebration Salad
Kale Celebration Salad is a beautiful array of colorful vegetables, crunchy walnuts, and delicious flavors!
Check out this recipe by My Pretty Brown Eats
Pork for Progression
Air Fryer Glazed Pork Tenderloin
Many families have a long ritual of eating pork on New Year’s Eve. Because pigs root roughly with their snouts pushing forward, pork represents progress for the following year.
Check out this recipe by Cooking School Dropout
Acorn Squash and Pork Chops
It's a quick, easy, and fun way to welcome in the new year. It's also conveniently made on a sheet pan!
Check out this recipe by Peel with Zeal
Slow Cooker Pork and Sauerkraut
This slow cooker pork and sauerkraut recipe is the easiest way of cooking a traditional German dish—tender pork infused with those delicious sauerkraut flavors.
Check out this recipe by Where is My Spoon
Drinks to clink at the Stroke of Midnight
Pomegranate Gin Fizz
n easy, boozy and fruity holiday cocktail. This pomegranate gin fizz is a simple yet classy drink that is quick to make in a large batch or just for one or two people at a time.
Check out this recipe by The Littlest Crumb
Smoky Rosemary-Strawberry Cocktail
Cheers to this flavorful tequila cocktail! It is fun to make and refreshing.
Check out this recipe by The Foodies’ Kitchen
Chandon Garden Spritz
This aromatic sparkling wine is combinwse with ed with just a few simple ingredients to make a beautiful cocktail that is perfect for end-of-year celebrations.
Check out this recipe by The Foodies’ Kitchen
The Old Fashioned
This classic cocktail is perfect for any bourbon fans at your New Year's Eve get-together.
Check out this recipe by Backroad Blugrass
5 Minute French 77 Cocktail
Take your New Year’s celebration up a notch and serve this French 77 Cocktail instead of champagne. The gin, elderflower liqueur, and lemon juice mix not only tastes sweet and floral but can be made well before your guests arrive.
Check out this recipe by Cup of Zest
Non-Alcoholic Pomegranate New Year’s Drink
Toast on new beginnings with a homemade elegant pomegranate mocktail, royalty amongst fresh fruits, and the symbol of good fortune and prosperity!
Check out this recipe by My Chefs Apron
Crowd-Pleasers for your New Year’s Eve Party
Chicken Salad with Roasted Grapes
Eating 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight is said to bring good luck for the year to come. Why not make them extra tasty with this Chicken Salad with Roasted Grapes!
Check out this recipe by Brunch & Batter
Mushroom Wellington with Port Wine Reduction
This dish will surely please and impress your guests! It's an elegant recipe worth making for your celebration. It also includes spinach if you're looking for another way to incorporate greens into your menu.
Check out this recipe by A Pug in the Kitchen
Cranberry Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip
Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip is a festive holiday appetizer you will be making all season long! Sweet, tart, creamy and with a hint of spice, this cranberry dip is delicious crowd pleaser.
Check out this recipe by iRealFood
Smoked Salmon Crostini
In search of easy appetizer to feed a crowd? This Smoked Salmon Crostini is elegant and tasty party appetizer to serve at your New Year's Eve party.
Check out this recipe by iFoodReal
Roasted Grapes and Brie
Here's another delicious recipe featuring grapes for good luck. This appetizer has a great balance of sweetness from roasted grapes and nutty flavors from the brie.
Check out my recipe here.
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Scallops
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Scallops are an easy-to-make yet impressive and elegant appetizer. The perfect finger food for serving at your special occasion.
Check out this recipe by Recipes From A Pantry
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