Southern New Year’s Menu

This Southern New Year’s Menu is perfect for celebrating the first day of the new year! Said to bring money, luck, and prosperity in the new year! Whether it does or not, it is always a favorite family meal full of delicious dishes!

Planning and Serving Tips for Southern New Year’s Menu

• Estimate the number of people and servings: A traditional Southern New Year’s meal usually includes pork, such as ham or pork roast, turnip greens, black eyed peas, mashed potatoes, cornbread, and a dessert. When I plan to serve my baked ham, I estimate the size of ham I need based upon these guidelines: 1/4 – 1/3 lb. per serving of boneless ham, and 1/3 – 1/2 lb. of meat per serving of bone-in ham. I plan for 4-6 ounces of cooked ham, 1 cup each of turnip greens, peas, and potatoes, and smaller servings of dessert per person.
• Traditions or superstitions: Pork symbolizes prosperity, some say good health in the coming year. Turnip greens represent money, such as folding money, and black-eyed peas represent coins. Cornbread represents money as well, such as gold.
• Make Ahead: Prepare as much of the food as possible before the New Year’s Day meal. Many of the recipes below list make-ahead options.
• Serving: Serve family-style on a buffet for easier access and mingling. Don’t forget the sweet tea!

Southern New Year’s Menu

Warm Brie with Honeyed Fruit Compote

Warm Brie with Honeyed Cranberry Walnut Fruit Compote Recipe

5 from 2 votes

Warm Brie with Honeyed Fruit Compote makes a beautiful, quick and easy appetizer. Made with a honeyed cranberry walnut fruit compote, this warm brie recipe is festive for the holidays!

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Baked Ham

Best Baked Ham Recipe

5 from 1 vote

This baked Ham recipe makes the most juicy, savory, and BEST ham! Easy variations for copycat Honey Baked Ham recipe or a cola glazed ham!

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Optional: Pork Roast

Pork Roast Recipe

4.93 from 140 votes

This Pork Roast recipe is tender, delicious and versatile to serve many ways. Made in the slow cooker from 3 ingredients for the best pork roast!

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Turnip Greens

Slow Cooker Turnip Greens Recipe

5 from 6 votes

Slow Cooker Turnip Greens makes easy work of a delicious Southern dish. This turnip greens recipe is a favorite and perfect for busy weeknights, Sunday suppers and New Year’s Day!

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Black Eyed Peas

Black Eyed Peas Recipe

5 from 11 votes

This Southern Black Eyed Peas recipe is full of flavor and has stovetop, slow cooker and Instant Pot methods! They are a Southern classic dish and family favorite! Delicious year-round, they are traditionally served on New Year's Day to bring luck.

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Mashed Potatoes

Easy Mashed Potatoes Recipe

5 from 4 votes

This Best Mashed Potatoes Recipe makes creamy, fluffy mashed potatoes with just 5 ingredients! A rich, delicious side dish for holidays or weeknights, and incredibly easy to make with proven tips for a foolproof recipe.

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Southern Buttermilk Cornbread

Southern Cornbread Recipe

4.97 from 32 votes

This Southern Cornbread Recipe delivers a crispy, golden crust and a tender center with just 5 ingredients. Baked in a cast iron skillet and ready in 30 minutes, it’s the perfect delicious partner for chili, soup, greens, and many Southern recipe favorites.

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Deviled Eggs

Classic Deviled Eggs

5 from 6 votes

Deviled eggs make the perfect appetizer or side dish for family meals, parties, showers, and other events. Get this family favorite deviled eggs recipe you are sure to love.

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New Year’s Day Desserts

Lemon Pound Cake

Lemon Pound Cake Recipe

4.91 from 127 votes

This easy Lemon Pound Cake recipe makes a dream dessert for lemon lovers! Made with fresh lemon juice and zest and topped with a lemon buttermilk glaze, this moist pound cake is bursting with delicious flavor!

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Cinnamon Roll Biscuit Wreath

Cinnamon Roll Biscuit Wreath Recipe

4.78 from 9 votes

Cinnamon Roll Biscuit Wreath Recipe – Quick and easy this treat has everything you love about a cinnamon roll with the ease of a biscuit in the shape of a festive wreath!

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Hope you and your family have a Happy New Year!
Robyn xo

From the Add a Pinch recipe archives. Originally published 2014.