9 Lucky Foods to Eat on New Year's Day (2024)

Pork

Pork for progress! Pigs root around with their snouts moving in a forward motion, which is why many cultures around the world eat pork on New Year's Day to symbolize progress for the coming year.

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Grapes

In Spain and Mexico, eating 12 grapes at midnight is said to bring you luck for the 12 months ahead. (It's not as easy as it sounds. Make this recipe for your New Year's Eve party, and hold some grapes aside for your good-luck gobble.

Pomegranates

Seeds have always been associated with fertility. In Greece, they hurl whole pomegranates to the floor to release a flood of seeds that symbolize life and abundance.

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Fish

So many fish in the sea. Maybe that's why they symbolized abundance in the new year around the world: Asian cultures feast on whole fish to celebrate Lunar New year, while on the other side of the globe, Europeans eat cod, herring, and carp. And while you don't eat the silvery scales, they do stand for an abundance of coinage.

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Noodles and Rice

Noodles, especially extra-long noodles, are thought to bring long life if eaten without breaking them in the middle. Rice symbolizes fertility and wealth.

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Cakes

Ring-shaped cakes and other rounded sweet treats bring a full circle of luck to the eater. In some traditions, a coin is baked inside to bring an extra serving of fortune to the one who finds it.

Black-Eyed Peas

Even folks who aren't from the South go all in on eating black-eyed peas for good luck on New Year's Day. Cook up an irresistibly soft, hearty dish that will also bring you good fortune.

Collard Greens

Greens symbolize monetary abundance in the new year, but the real riches are found in the flavor of this classic Southern dish. "I absolutely love this recipe!" shares one Allrecipes user. "I make it for my family every year on New Year's Day and I won't make collards any other way again."

Cornbread

Our community of home cooks can't get enough of this sweet, fluffy cornbread - and we're sure you'll feel the same way too. Use simple pantry ingredients to create a classic New Year's dish that symbolizes gold and all of the good things to come.

More Inspiration

• 20 New Year's Eve Finger Foods
• New Year's Food Traditions From Around the World
• New Year's Day Dinner Recipes

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