10 Southern New Year’s Day Recipes to Bring Good Luck

We are no strangers to food traditions, including those that welcome good luck in the new year with black-eyed peas, all of our greens (collards, kale, or cabbage), sweet cornbread, and pork in any form. New Year’s traditions span back as far as we can look. Maybe you eat 12 grapes under your table while making wishes for the new year. A kiss at midnight is common among lovers, and we can’t forget hanging onions at your door for good health. You might spend all day January 1 stewing your field peas and turnips while your pork and cornbread cook in the oven. This is where we come in to help. This New Year’s, we gathered 10 recipes that pull from Southern roots and traditions, while also adding in a sweet bonus: an ounce or two of good old-fashioned Southern luck.

Black-Eyed Peas One-Pot Meal

While there are many ways to serve black eyed peas, this one is best served all in one pot with a side of mouthwatering buttermilk biscuits. This black-eyed peas recipe originated in New Orleans and combines ground turkey, pork, spicy Creole seasoning, and Camellia black-eyed peas for a meal that’s sure to bring good luck in the new year. 

Chili-Braised Lamb Ribs with Field Peas, Turnips and Greens, and Chili Vinegar

This dish by Maude & The Bear chef Ian Boden takes a spicy twist on a traditional turnip greens and field peas recipe, adding a rack of chili-braised lamb ribs. You’ll need four pounds of lamb ribs, seared in a Dutch oven until they are a deep brown. Smothered in Red Boat fish sauce and Bourbon Barrel Bluegrass Soy Sauce, these ribs complement Boden’s field peas and turnip greens plated underneath. 

Lucky 32 Collard Greens

Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen chef Jay Pierce in North Carolina shared this equally lucky sautéed collard greens recipe. These collards are sautéed with sliced carrots, yellow onions, ham hock, pork fat back, and savory spices, making way for a dish perfectly placed next to your main course. 

Collard Greens Soup

Not looking for sautéed collards? Since it is also soup season with the temperatures steadily dropping, this collard greens soup can be upgraded to a main course. Mixed with bacon, onions, celery, potatoes, and heavy whipping cream, Charleston chef Beth Price knew exactly what she was doing when crafting this recipe. And, since pork and collards are included, you’re good to have this as your New Year’s Day meal— Just add a side of field peas and cornbread.

Turnip Greens Country Ham Dip

Even New Year’s Day lunches and dinners need a delicious dipping appetizer. Columbia, South Carolina, chef Jessica Shillato gave The Local Palate an up-close look at the prep and execution of this creamy dish. Mixed with sour cream, soft cream cheese, parmesan cheese, and fragrant garlic, the turnips and ham are sure to check your boxes for good luck in the new year ahead. 

Cornbread Dressing with Andouille Sausage 

This recipe came straight from our test kitchen, courtesy of chef Christina Oxford. While considered a Thanksgiving dish, this cornbread dressing mixed with andouille sausage can be the perfect main or side dish at your New Year’s celebration feast. Just add one of our greens recipes to round out your menu. 

Bacon Fat Cornbread

If cornbread is more of a side rather than a main dish for you, we’ve got you covered. And, this isn’t just regular cornbread. Infused with bacon fat, Kentucky chef Sarah Bradley wanted a cornbread that tasted just like her grandmother’s. You won’t regret dipping this Southern cornbread into any of the soups, turnips, or dips we’ve already chosen for you.

Oyster and Andouille Cornbread Dressing

This cornbread dish comes from Homewood, Alabama, chef Chris Zapalowski, and adds in oysters for a Gulf twist on a Southern andouille sausage dressing. For this, you’ll make your own homemade cornbread to crumble into your dressing. After your cornbread turns golden brown, crumble it up and pour your savory oyster and sausage dressing mixture on top.

Raven’s Nest Blackberry Jalapeño Bacon Wrapped Dates

Straight from The Local Palate Marketplace are these exquisite bacon-wrapped dates using Raven’s Nest Blackberry Jalapeño Jam. This jam is infused with a delicious blend of handpicked blackberries and that subtle heat we love in the South. These are a perfect pork starter for your New Year’s Day meal. 

Collard Greens with Smoked Ham Hocks

This collard greens and smoked ham hock soup is anything but ordinary. Chef and cookbook author Todd Richards recommends mixing one cup of bourbon or whiskey into this dish alongside smoked bacon, pickled collard stems, and other aromatic additions for a perfectly mixed side dish. Richards suggests making pickled collards alongside this soup, to add a little brininess.

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