17 Lucky Foods to Eat on New Year’s Day

Lucky foods to eat on New Year’s Day are different all over the globe.

In Japan, it’s soba noodles. In China, it’s dumplings. And in the US, it’s collard greens and black-eyed peas. 

But no matter where you are, it’s the first meal for the New Year, so you want to make it good!

Even if you aren’t superstitious, you don’t want to tempt the fates, right? 

And luckily, you’re sure to find something to love in one of these lucky foods to eat on New Year’s Day. 

1. Black-Eyed Peas

During the Civil War, Americans felt lucky to have a plate of tasty black-eyed peas to keep their energy levels up during the long winters. 

Today, black-eyed peas are the ultimate good-luck dish. This time around, they include plenty of bacon and sausage!

The black-eyed peas lend creamy, earthy notes with smoky bacon and sausage in a rich gravy. 

2. Donuts

The old superstition says that anything that forms a circle is good luck food for New Year’s. 

And luckily, all types and flavors of donuts fall into that category. 

You don’t have to scrap your new year’s diet resolution for these tasty treats because they’re baked instead of fried. 

With a tender cake-like consistency and a chocolate glaze with sprinkles, I can think of no better way to kick off the new year. 

3. Baked Pork Tenderloin

Anything pork is considered good luck for a very interesting reason. 

When pigs root in the dirt for food, they always move forward, which signifies “moving forward” in your life. 

And this tasty baked pork tenderloin is the perfect way to bring good luck for the New Year. 

It bakes low and slow in the oven in a tasty sweet and savory sauce and goes great with sides like roasted potatoes or veggies. 

4. Soba Noodles

Soba noodles are Japan’s go-to good luck dish, and thankfully the luck transfers between continents. 

Buckwheat is a resilient plant, and the soba noodle has a signature snap that breaks once you bite into it. 

Biting into a soba noodle signifies breaking away from the previous year.

And this tasty soba noodle recipe comes together in minutes.

Simmered in a fragrant sweet and sour sauce, it’s simple yet delicious. 

5. Seasoned Grilled Fish

Like pigs, fish always swim forward, symbolizing moving forward in the upcoming year. 

For good luck, any fish will do, but this seasoned grilled fish recipe is perfect for welcoming the year to come. 

It’s light and healthy, which won’t undo any diet resolutions.

And the bright seasoning of Old Bay, lemon juice, and paprika makes your fish fillet sing. 

6. Candied Grapes

The superstition goes that you need to eat one grape at every chime of the midnight bell to receive good luck in the coming 12 months. 

So, why not make those grapes candied?

These candied grapes are so pretty that they almost sparkle. 

With a simple candy coating of sugar over green and purple grapes, they look so pretty.

They’re a wonderfully tasty (and healthy-adjacent) treat!

7. Collard Greens with Bacon

Need your good luck for the new year to be money related? 

The greens in collard greens symbolize money, bringing you financial prosperity in the upcoming year. 

Collard greens are notoriously earthy and slightly bitter.

So adding bacon transforms them into something meaty, smokey, and delicious. 

Serve them with black-eyed peas for a double punch of luck for the upcoming year. 

8. Pan-Fried Dumplings

Jiaozi, or dumplings, symbolize financial fortune because their shape resembles ancient Chinese money. 

These homemade dumplings are tender and crispy outside.

They host tasty fillings like pork (for even more good luck), chicken, and savory veggies. 

They’re a little time-consuming to make, so get the whole family involved in the dumpling-wrapping process!

9. Pomegranate Cream Tart

Stunningly red pomegranates are an ancient fruit that symbolizes life, fertility, and prosperity. 

And there’s no better way to enjoy poms than whipping them into this sweet, sour, and decadently creamy tart. 

It blends an easy store-bought crust with cream cheese, pomegranate arils, and jam for the toppings. Easy peasy. 

It’s stunningly gorgeous and easier to put together than you think. 

10. Sautéed Cabbage

Cabbage, like collard greens, is another green veggie that symbolizes wealth and prosperity.

If you don’t like collard greens, this sauteed cabbage recipe is a must-try. 

It’s a simple and affordable recipe that comes together in a jiffy. 

It pairs fresh cabbage with olive oil, simple seasoning, and a dash of apple cider vinegar to elevate all those savory flavors. 

11. Tamales

For the new year, Mexican tamales symbolize family. Families often gather to stuff masa (or corn dough) with tasty meat. 

And these authentic red tamales explode with savory and spiky flavors.

It combines tasty masa with bold seasonings like red chili sauce and garlic with tender beef shoulder roast. 

They take a long time to carefully stuff, so get the whole family involved to speed up the process!

12. Greek New Year’s Bread (Vasilopita)

Vasilopita is a classic Greek sweet bread gently spiced with orange zest and topped with sesame seeds. 

For the New Year, cooks place a coin at the base of the bread and spin it around on the table. 

Whoever picks the piece of bread with the coin will receive special blessings for the new year. 

I love this fun tradition. Even if you don’t get the coin, you still get a piece of delicately sweet bread!

13. Cornbread

Cornbread is a Southern staple on the New Year’s Day dinner table because it represents prosperity and hope for the coming year. 

This cornbread recipe is easy and pairs pantry stables to create a delicately sweet and crumbly cornbread. 

Pair cornbread with black-eyed peas or collard greens for even more good luck!

14. One-Pot Lentils

In Italy, the Italians love lentils on New Year’s Day because they deliver good fortune or buona fortuna. 

This one-pot lentil recipe is easy to whip together in a flash and blends savory, earthy lentils with rich Italian spices.

Bonus points: it only takes 20 minutes to make.

15. Honey Citrus Glazed Salmon

Fish is another good luck protein, and this honey citrus glazed salmon recipe is another great way to ring the New Year on a healthy note. 

It pairs tender, flakey salmon in a bright honey, orange, ginger, and garlic glaze. 

Serve this tasty dinner protein with a crisp garden salad and a loaf of freshly-made bread. 

16. Soft Pretzels

As far back as the middle ages, pretzels delivered good luck and prosperity for the New Year. 

Some even like to wrap a coin in foil and hide it in one of the pretzels for a bonus of good luck for one lucky snacker. 

These delightfully soft pretzels are chewy on the outside with tender insides and a gentle dusting of salt. 

Serve them with tasty pretzel dips like honey mustard, ranch, or beer cheese, and watch them disappear. 

17. Kielbasa and Sauerkraut

The Germans believe the kielbasa and sauerkraut bring good luck, or viel glück, for the new year. 

This classic German dish explodes with briny, salty flavors to make those tastebuds sing. 

The kielbasa is delightfully chewy and salty and pairs perfectly with the tangy of fresh sauerkraut.