Some believe eating black-eyed peas the first thing in the new year brings great luck. I don’t know if it’s true, but we take a bite of one of these 6 Lucky Black-Eyed Pea recipes just after midnight every single year!
Whether you are superstitious or not, I see no harm in kicking off a new year with some lucky food! I take it seriously in my household. My family is lined up and fed at least one spoonful of a lucky dish after the clock chimes midnight on New Year’s Eve!
I didn’t always feel this way. In fact, I did not really know that different cultures view specific foods as lucky or unlucky until the last five to ten years. In the United States it’s a common tradition, especially in the south to ring in the new year with a helping of black-eyed peas. Today I’m sharing six recipes to help your new year start on a lucky track.
The most familiar of these lucky dishes is Hoppin’ John. It is a rustic, soulful recipe of black-eyed peas and ham in a savory broth. It’s just the type of recipe I love. A peasant-feeling dish that is unpretentious, with chunky texture and great flavor. I have both a regular Hoppin’ John version and Slow Cooker Hoppin’ John for those not wanting to keep an eye on the stove!
A family favorite for us and one we’ll most likely be taking a bite of at the stroke of midnight this year is Coconut Black-Eyed Pea Soup. I originally found a Tanzanian recipe when my eldest was in elementary school celebrating international cultures and needed to bring a food from Africa. We were instantly smitten with the coconut spicy broth. It’s just the thing to slurp up at midnight after a night of rich foods and sparkling drink too.
Black-eyed pea Fritters with Hot Sauce (Akara) are another African recipe and are delicious! They are a bit time consuming to make but my family has been wild for them when I’ve made them.
Hummus can be made from any bean and my version of black-eyed pea hummus is Smoky Black-Eyed Pea Bacon Hummus. Cumin, hot paprika, bacon and other palate-pleasing ingredients make this a dip to remember.
Slow Cooker Black-Eyed Peas with Ham and Bacon is another rustic dish with carrot ‘coins’ (lucky) that fits the belief of ‘eating poor on New Year’s Day leads to eating rich the rest of the year’. A perfect wintery dish that is fully of spicy flavor.
I love checking out international lucky foods and traditions to start the new year too. You may be surprised what you are eating that is and isn’t lucky!
Reesa Lewandowski says
I have never tried black eye peas before! Maybe I should for some new year luck!!!
Brianne says
These recipes look super yummy! I will have to save this page for my new year cooking!
dawn says
i hae always loved black eye pease.my granny used to make them all the time. this recipe looks delish.
Foodie Finds Home says
I have a couple of black eyed peas recipes from my grandmother, but honestly I’d love to try a couple of these soon. I foresee black eye peas on the menu a few time throughout the year!
Melissa Dixon says
These are all great sounding and looking recipes. I have to try some of these this new year. I am super excited about the possibilities because I actually have some black eyed peas in the kitchen right now that I didn’t know what to do with until now. I may have to pick up a few other ingredients like ham and bacon now but it will be worth the trip!
Valerie says
This is a great round-up. I love the variety. This reminds me I forgot to buy Black-eyed Peas at the grocery store yesterday.
I think I’d like to try the dip first.
Happy New Year.
Toni Dash says
Happy New Year to you too Valerie!
Theresa says
I just bought a bunch of black eyed peas for the New Year. These sound like amazing recipes, but I’d definitely love to try the hummus!
censie says
I love knowing that others do these traditions. we always have black Eyed peas for luck and cabbage for money on New Years Day! 🙂 Fun! I am intersted in trying some of these recipes too. Great way to twist our traditions a bit.
sher says
those blue containers are too cute! i’ll have to give these recipes a go.
Sara Phillips says
We usually eat out black-eyed peas straight. However, I have a ton of leftover ham that would be perfect in that first recipe! Thanks for these!
Lisa Bristol says
I need to try these great recipes. I will have to start with the Coconut Black-Eyed Pea Soup. I am sure it will be a big hit with my family.
Ann Bacciaglia says
These look like fantastic recipes. I will have to try the Coconut Black-Eyed Pea Soup this week.
Alicia says
These are great recipes for the new year! I’m going to have to make one of these for good luck in 2017 🙂
Lisa Favre says
Slurp! These all look delicious and healthy. Definitely some recipes here that I’ve got to try for my family.
Tara says
I didn’t know about this New Year’s tradition. I’ll have to make a black-eyed pea recipe. All these recipes do look delicious.
Janell Poulette says
I just recently moved to the south and have been introduced to black eyed peas and collard greens for new years tradition. I am desperate for new ways to eat black eye peas and this is a great list to start with.
Amy Desrosiers says
My aunt use to make black eyed peas on New Years. I am not sure I have had them since she passed years ago.
Chelley @ A is For Adelaide says
These all look great! We always make a classic New Year’s dish with black eyed peas to celebrate!
MJ L says
I have never had black eyed peas! These recipes look great I will have to try some!
Liz Mays says
Ooh, coconut black eyed pea soup! I might like that. I’m always ready for a good Hoppin’ John recipe on NYE eve too.
Pam Wattenbarger says
These are all great recipes to get your new year off on the right foot. I think that the black eyed pea fritters would be my favorite.
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
All terrific ways to ring in the new year! Hope you had a wonderful holiday and wishing you and yours a very Happy New Year!
Jen Rattie says
I have to make that slow cooker recipe with the bacon. Whenever you add bacon to anything, it immediately becomes a million times better.
Toni Dash says
Isn’t that so true? It’s a great recipe; easy and delicious! And lucky of course!
Colleen Lanin says
Thank you so much for sharing these recipes. We’ve been eating the same New Years dish since the kids were born. It’s definitely time for a change.
Toni Dash says
Ha, ha! What do you eat Colleen?
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
I LOVE these! I live in Georgia, so we always have our black eyed peas, onion, and ham for the New Year. I’m not sure if it’s actually brought us luck, but it sure is good!
Toni Dash says
Once you start eating it you never want to stop in case it IS lucky!