There’s something special about those New Year’s Day good luck recipes that have been passed down from grandma’s kitchen. From smoky Southern black-eyed pea soup with skillet cornbread to tender collard greens, pork roast with sauerkraut, cabbage soup, lentil dishes, and baked salmon, these comforting plates are all about starting the year with warmth, abundance, and a little superstition. This collection of New Year’s Day recipes for good luck gathers cozy soups, slow-cooked pork and ham, golden cornbreads, and veggie-packed sides that feel like a hug at the table.

Smoky Southern Black-Eyed Pea Soup (Slow Cooker)

Smoky Southern Black-Eyed Pea Soup (Slow Cooker). Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This hearty slow cooker soup blends black-eyed peas, chipotle, and chili spices in a rich, smoky broth with sweet potatoes for a cozy Southern-inspired meal.
Get the Recipe: Smoky Southern Black-Eyed Pea Soup (Slow Cooker)

Classic Cast Iron Southern Cornbread

Classic Cast Iron Southern Cornbread. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Baked in a cast iron skillet, this crumbly, golden cornbread has deep corn flavor and crispy edges — a true taste of old-fashioned Southern comfort.
Get the Recipe: Classic Cast Iron Southern Cornbread

Southern Black-Eyed Peas and Collard Greens with Bacon

Southern Black-Eyed Peas and Collard Greens with Bacon. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

A soul-warming classic made with tender greens and savory black-eyed peas simmered together with smoky bacon — perfect for holiday traditions or everyday comfort.
Get the Recipe: Southern Black-Eyed Peas and Collard Greens with Bacon

Sweet Potato Cornbread with a Southern Twist

Sweet Potato Cornbread with a Southern Twist. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This moist sweet potato cornbread has a tender crumb and a touch of cinnamon, adding veggie-rich flavor to your favorite Southern sides.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Cornbread with a Southern Twist

Slow Cooker Collard Greens with Smoky Ham Hock

Slow Cooker Collard Greens with Smoky Ham Hock. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Simmered to perfection in the slow cooker, these collard greens are smoky, silky, and rich with the flavor of tender ham hock in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Collard Greens with Smoky Ham Hock

Carrabba’s-Style Sausage Lentil Soup

Carrabba’s-Style Sausage Lentil Soup. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

This copycat lentil soup is packed with Italian sausage, hearty lentils, and rustic herbs — a rich, comforting dish for chilly days.
Get the Recipe: Carrabba’s-Style Sausage Lentil Soup

Oven-Baked Pork Roast with Sauerkraut

Oven-Baked Pork Roast with Sauerkraut. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Sweet apples and brown sugar balance the tangy sauerkraut in this savory one-pan pork roast — a nostalgic, no-fuss comfort dish.
Get the Recipe: Oven-Baked Pork Roast with Sauerkraut

Southern Vegan Collard Greens

Southern Vegan Collard Greens. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

These plant-based collard greens offer smoky, tangy, and sweet flavor with maple, vinegar, and optional liquid smoke — a comforting side without the meat.
Get the Recipe: Southern Vegan Collard Greens

Slow Cooker Glazed Ham with Pineapple

Slow Cooker Glazed Ham with Pineapple. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Juicy ham slow-cooked with a sweet glaze of brown sugar, pineapple juice, and mustard — a holiday-worthy main that’s low-effort and crowd-pleasing.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Glazed Ham with Pineapple

Hearty Cabbage and Hamburger Soup

Hearty Cabbage and Hamburger Soup. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This comforting one-pot soup is full of tender cabbage, ground beef, potatoes, and carrots simmered in a savory tomato broth — perfect for cozy nights.
Get the Recipe: Hearty Cabbage and Hamburger Soup

Sticky Slow Cooker Pork Loin Roast

Sticky Slow Cooker Pork Loin Roast. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Tender pork loin slow-cooked in a sweet and sticky glaze — ideal for easy weeknight dinners or special-occasion comfort food.
Get the Recipe: Sticky Slow Cooker Pork Loin Roast

Creamy White Bean and Kale Soup (One Pot)

Creamy White Bean and Kale Soup (One Pot). Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This cozy one-pot soup blends white beans, kale, and coconut milk for a creamy, herb-scented dish that’s vegan, hearty, and freezer-friendly.
Get the Recipe: Creamy White Bean and Kale Soup (One Pot)

Skillet Apple Cinnamon Pork Chops

Skillet Apple Cinnamon Pork Chops. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Seared pork chops are roasted with tart apples and warm spices for a cozy, fall-inspired dinner that’s easy enough for weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Apple Cinnamon Pork Chops

Crockpot Grape Jelly Meatballs

Crockpot Grape Jelly Meatballs. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

These three-ingredient meatballs are sweet, savory, and stress-free — just toss in the crockpot and serve warm for an effortless party favorite.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Grape Jelly Meatballs

Cream Cheese Deviled Eggs

Cream Cheese Deviled Eggs. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

A rich twist on the classic, these deviled eggs use cream cheese for an ultra-smooth filling — perfect for gatherings and ready in under 40 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Cream Cheese Deviled Eggs

20-Minute Maple Dijon Pork Chops

20-Minute Maple Dijon Pork Chops. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

These quick pork chops are seared and glazed with maple syrup and Dijon mustard for a flavorful sweet-and-savory dinner in just 20 minutes.
Get the Recipe: 20-Minute Maple Dijon Pork Chops

Slow Cooker Pork Chops in Mushroom Gravy

Slow Cooker Pork Chops in Mushroom Gravy. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

These bone-in pork chops simmer in a homemade cream of mushroom sauce until fall-apart tender — an easy and comforting slow cooker meal.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Chops in Mushroom Gravy

Sweet and Sour Pineapple Meatballs (Slow Cooker)

Sweet and Sour Pineapple Meatballs (Slow Cooker). Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Juicy meatballs, bell peppers, and pineapple simmer in a sweet BBQ-teriyaki sauce for a delicious main or appetizer made easy in the crockpot.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Sour Pineapple Meatballs (Slow Cooker)

Creamy Slow Cooker Pork Chops and Stuffing

Creamy Slow Cooker Pork Chops and Stuffing. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

A no-fuss comfort dish featuring pork chops, creamy sauce, and boxed stuffing all slow-cooked together for a hearty, satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Slow Cooker Pork Chops and Stuffing

Sheet Pan Pork Chops with Ranch Potatoes

Sheet Pan Pork Chops with Ranch Potatoes. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This simple sheet pan dinner pairs juicy pork chops with crispy, golden ranch-seasoned potatoes — a weeknight-friendly, all-in-one meal.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Pork Chops with Ranch Potatoes

Carolina Pulled Pork Loin (Slow Cooker)

Carolina Pulled Pork Loin (Slow Cooker). Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Slow-cooked with a tangy mustard-honey BBQ sauce, this lean pork loin delivers bold Carolina-style flavor perfect for sandwiches or meal prep.
Get the Recipe: Carolina Pulled Pork Loin (Slow Cooker)

Zesty Mexican Cabbage Slaw with Lime Dressing

Zesty Mexican Cabbage Slaw with Lime Dressing. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Fresh, crunchy, and full of lime and chili flavor, this Mexican cabbage slaw is a bright side dish for tacos, grilled meats, or potluck spreads.
Get the Recipe: Zesty Mexican Cabbage Slaw with Lime Dressing

10-Minute Lemon Butter Tilapia

10-Minute Lemon Butter Tilapia. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This quick pan-fried tilapia is flaky, buttery, and bright with lemon — a perfect last-minute dinner that’s light, fresh, and full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: 10-Minute Lemon Butter Tilapia

Crock Pot Pork Chops with Potatoes & Gravy

Crock Pot Pork Chops with Potatoes & Gravy. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

These slow cooker pork chops cook with creamy mushroom gravy and fluffy potatoes for an easy, hearty dinner the whole family will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Pork Chops with Potatoes & Gravy

Cheesy Broccoli Black-Eyed Pea Soup

Cheesy Broccoli Black-Eyed Pea Soup. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

A rich and velvety broccoli cheese soup inspired by a restaurant favorite, with added black-eyed peas for a hearty Southern twist.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Broccoli Black-Eyed Pea Soup

Cozy Homemade Lentil Soup

Cozy Homemade Lentil Soup. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

This budget-friendly lentil soup is hearty, healthy, and totally satisfying — vegan, gluten-free, and perfect for chilly nights.
Get the Recipe: Cozy Homemade Lentil Soup

How to Cook Perfect Lentils

How to Cook Perfect Lentils. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Learn how to cook lentils just right with this easy, versatile guide — ideal for meal prepping and healthy eating.
Get the Recipe: How to Cook Perfect Lentils

Easy 4-Ingredient Baked Salmon

Easy 4-Ingredient Baked Salmon. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

This baked salmon is sweet, savory, and ready in 20 minutes — made with just brown sugar, soy sauce, olive oil, and salmon.
Get the Recipe: Easy 4-Ingredient Baked Salmon

Buttermilk Mexican Cornbread with Creamed Corn

Buttermilk Mexican Cornbread with Creamed Corn. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This moist, spicy cornbread is made with buttermilk, cheese, and green chiles — a bold twist on the Southern classic, perfect for soups and stews.
Get the Recipe: Buttermilk Mexican Cornbread with Creamed Corn

Southern Boiled Cabbage with Bacon

Southern Boiled Cabbage with Bacon. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

A simple, budget-friendly side dish of tender cabbage simmered with smoky bacon — a classic pairing for Southern mains.
Get the Recipe: Southern Boiled Cabbage with Bacon

40 Slow Cooker Meals That Deliver Big Flavor with Almost No Work

A plate of mashed potatoes topped with pork chops in creamy mushroom gravy, garnished with chopped chives. A fork rests on the plate, which has an inspirational quote on the rim. A blue and white cloth is underneath.
40 Clow Cooker Meals Image Credit: Intentional Hospitality

When dinner needs to be rich, comforting, and almost entirely hands-off, slow cooker meals become the hero of the week. You’ll find cozy classics like chicken pot pie soup, navy bean soup, smothered turkey wings, white chicken chili, and hearty spaghetti sauce—all simmering low and slow for maximum flavor. If you’re craving slow cooker meals that make your house smell amazing and your evenings easier, these recipes prove you can get bold, delicious dinners with almost no work at all. See All the Recipes:
40 Slow Cooker Meals That Deliver Big Flavor With Almost No Work