The new year is a great time . to hit the reset button and start a new. You can set yourself up for success by drafting a New Years foods, resolution or kick things off. with an inspirational New Year’s blessing. But if you’re looking for other ways. to guarantee your 2024 is the best year yet. try serving up one of these ,New Year’s Foods That’s right one of our favorite things. to do on New Year’s is eat, especially .when it means it might bring luck in the year ahead . Whether you’re planning a New Year’s Eve dinner party .or New Year’s Day brunch, check out this list of ideas (and recipes) .that symbolize prosperity, health, or happiness (depending on the food).
New Years Foods to Bring Good Luck in2024
Of course, not everyone believes in New Year’s superstitions . but that doesn’t mean these tasty foods aren’t worth a try. « I’ve always eaten black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day, » Ree Drummond says, « I figure starting the new year .by indulging in a juicy superstition can’t hurt. » And it’ll taste good, too ! Along with black-eyed peas, some cultures believe that grapes, noodles, pork, or pomegranates can be considered lucky when eaten on New Year’s. Pick and choose a few of these traditional New Year’s foods like sesame meal noodle salad (thought to symbolize longevity) or .orange-vanilla scones (representing gold and wealth) or opt for a full menu of Southern comfort foods that incorporate some of these ingredients, like Hoppin’ John, skillet cornbread, and collard greens. Whichever you choose. just be sure to serve it up with a glass of champagne and a New Year’s toast.
New Year’s Foods
Ring-Shaped Cakes
It’s always a good time for cake—especially if you’re celebrating a special occasion like ringing in the New Year. A round, ring-shaped cake in particular is known to represent the full circle of life. Try one of Ree’s crowd-pleasing Bundt cakes in pumpkin spice or lemon lime. flavor or go for something unexpected like a round-shaped monkey bread
Cornbread
Here’s another symbol of gold for your New Year’s table . cornbread ! Combine this Southern favorite with. black-eyed peas and collard greens for triple the luck.
Oranges
During Chinese New Year, citrus fruits like kumquats, tangerines, and oranges are all considered good luck. Their bright color is associated with happiness .and fortune, which is why they’re often shared among family and used in decorations. They have a refreshing burst of flavor, too.
Cabbage
In parts of Eastern Europe, cabbage is considered lucky .because of its green color (similar to kale and collards), but it’s also a traditional New Year’s food due to timing—cabbage is harvested in late fall .and often fermented or made into sauerkraut just in time for New Year’s. Try your hand at making your own sauerkraut or incorporate cabbage in quicker recipes like colorful coleslaw.
Black-Eyed Peas
Legend has it that if you want to bring good luck in the new year, you need to eat 365 black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day—one for every day of the year ! A serving of Ree’s Hoppin’ John .will likely do the trick. You can also enjoy black-eyed peas, which are actually a type of bean, in a hearty veggie burrito or a black-eyed pea dip that’s loaded with cheese
Greens
This one might seem obvious, but collard greens are the color of paper money, so they’re thought to symbolize a prosperous year ahead. This is especially true if eaten alongside black eyed-peas (which are round like coins) and cornbread (the color of gold). Of course. you can also swap collard greens or any other leafy green, like kale, spinach, or Swiss chard.
Onions
The Greek tradition of hanging a bag of onions on your door is meant to symbolize growth and rebirth. It all started back in ancient times when people realized that onions would sprout even when they were left alone. It was the ultimate sign for luck and fertility. So go ahead and grab some onions, then put them to use in these tasty recipes. Air fryer onion rings are a great place to start !
Tamales
In Mexico, the tradition of making tamales symbolizes family. That’s because families will often set aside a special time (usually between Christmas and New Year’s) to make this labor-of-love that consists of masa (a type of corn dough mixture). that’s wrapped and streamed in corn husks or banana leaves. If you’re looking to enjoy tamales with your family, but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, try Instant Pot tamales or a quick and easy tamale pie !
Rice
If you’ve ever seen rice thrown at a wedding ceremony, you already know that it can be a symbol of prosperity and fertility. Enjoy it with beans (another symbol of luck) for a filling New Year’s Eve meal
Doughnuts
In the Netherlands, eating fried doughnut-like pastries called oliebollen is said to be lucky. They usually have a good dusting of powdered sugar on top.
Dumplings
Dumplings, which symbolize wealth, are often eaten as part of the Lunar New Year feast. While that celebration .takes place in January or February depending on the lunar calendar, you can also make them for New Year’s Eve !
Soft Pretzels
Many Germans ring in the New Year with a big soft pretzel to symbolize good luck, health, and prosperity in the year ahead. According to History.com children in the 17th century also wore pretzel necklaces on New Year’s.
Buttered Bread
An old Irish custom considers New Year’s Day to be known as the Day of Buttered Bread. The tradition of leaving a slice of bread .with butter on it outside your door was a way to banish hunger. Of course, you can always make the tradition your own by baking up a batch of fresh Irish soda bread for New Year’s brunch.
Grapes
Here’s a fun New Year’s tradition : as soon as the clock strikes midnight, eat 12 grapes as fast as you can. It’s a good luck custom in Spain and Mexico to represent the 12 months of the year. Of course, if you want to really guarantee your luck, you can also try one of these tasty grape recipes below
Noodles
Many countries serve noodles for their New Year’s celebration to symbolize the longevity of life. Try the sesame pork noodle salad or beef curry with sweet potato. noodles, but whatever you do, don’t break the noodles before you eat them (it’s all part of the tradition)
Lentils
Similar to black-eyed peas, lentils are a type of legume that look like little coins. They’re typically eaten in Italy (and in other countries) on New Year’s to bring luck and good fortune. The red lentil hummus would make a great New Year’s eve party snack. while the Mediterranean .lentil salad would be a refreshing dish on New Year’s Day.
Fish
Depending on the culture or country, fish is eaten on New Year’s. for different reasons : It can be considered a symbol of abundance because fish swim in big schools or a sign of good fortune. for their shiny scales. Either way, you can’t go wrong with. one of these tasty fish recipes.
Pomegranates
Pomegranate seeds add a pop of color and flavor .to festive New Year’s eve cocktails, like pomegranate sparklers. but they’ll also bring fertility and life to those who eat them. At least, according to some people Turkey, Greece, and the Mediterranean.
This is some New Year’s Foods to Bring Luck in2024 enjoy.