Looking for new years day dinner ideas that give you a little room to choose? Black-eyed peas, glazed ham and bowls of stew are all on the table here.
There are smaller dishes to round out your menu too, plus a brunch-inspired option if breakfast for dinner sounds good.
You can keep things simple or go all out with a whole spread. Pick a main you love, then decide whether you want greens, cornbread or a few toppings to go alongside it.
Dinner ideas for the first day of the year
black-eyed peas and greens
We’re starting off strong with this bowl of black-eyed peas and leafy greens. I love how the bright green leaves cover one side while those saucy peas fill the other.
If you want something alongside it, I’d choose a wedge of cornbread for scooping up what’s left in the bowl.
golden meat and shredded cabbage
If you like a platter you can pass around the table, this is a lovely starting point. Browned pieces of meat sit over a generous bed of shredded cabbage, with chopped herbs scattered on top.
For your own version, try pork with sauerkraut and keep the same simple serving arrangement.
black-eyed peas over rice
Don’t want to plan a whole spread? No problem!
Take inspiration from these black-eyed peas spooned over white rice. The little green onion rings are my favorite finishing touch.
Keep extra sliced green onions at the table if you want everyone to add their own.
golden cornbread casserole
That browned top is reason enough to save this idea. The cut side shows a yellow cornbread-style bake with black-eyed peas and crumbled filling tucked inside.
I’d pair a square with a simple green salad rather than adding another big main.
honey-glazed ham
If you are looking for a centerpiece for your dinner table, this one is for you. The sliced ham has a deep golden-brown glaze, with another spoonful being drizzled over the top.
Keep the sides simple if you go this route. I’d choose mashed potatoes and greens to serve beside it.
lentil soup with greens
I love this lentil soup with its big carrot rounds and curly green leaves. There’s plenty to scoop up in every spoonful, plus a scattering of red pepper flakes across the top.
A loaf of bread would be my pick for turning this into a simple soup dinner.
apple cider braised pork
This apple cider braised pork may just be one of my favorites here. The browned outside opens into loose strands of meat, with onion wedges sitting in the sauce around it.
I’d serve it over mashed potatoes so that lovely pool of sauce has somewhere to go.
cabbage rolls in red sauce
How pretty is this pan of cabbage rolls? I love the folded green leaves with red sauce spooned across them.
They’re nestled together so closely that the whole pan feels ready for the center of the table.
Choose a filling you enjoy when picking your recipe. The photo keeps that part tucked away.
noodles with colorful vegetables
Want to go in a different direction from a roast dinner? Try a noodle bowl inspired by this one.
Flat noodles are tossed with red and green vegetable pieces, green onions and a pale crumbled topping.
For your version, crumbled tofu would be one option to pair with the noodles and vegetables.
greens with onion and meat
This is another lovely way to bring greens to the table. Broad cooked leaves are mixed with onion strips and chunky pieces of browned meat.
I’d serve these as a side with the black-eyed peas and rice above. You don’t need a separate centerpiece for every dish.
whole fish with lemon
I am in love with this whole-fish platter. The lemon slices, red and yellow tomatoes and little pomegranate seeds make it look so colorful.
Follow the serving idea with an oval platter and herbs tucked around the fish. A cucumber and tomato salad, like the one beside it, would be a pretty addition.
chili and a toppings spread
If you love giving everyone options, then this one is for you. There’s a pot of chunky chili surrounded by shredded cheese, chopped onions, corn chips and bread.
You don’t have to copy the entire spread. Start with your chili, then set out a few toppings you actually want to eat. I’d keep the cheese and green onions.
dark stew and mashed potatoes
How good does this bowl look? The dark sauce spills over a swirl of mashed potatoes, with carrots, mushrooms and large chunks filling the other half.
The little chopped chives are such a pretty finishing touch. Keep that serving arrangement if you want your stew and potatoes in one bowl.
a brunch-inspired dinner
This picture is a brunch menu rather than a dinner spread, but you can borrow the idea for breakfast for dinner. It pairs a browned casserole with bacon, a colorful fruit platter and iced drinks.
I especially love the fruit arranged around the little dipping bowls. Try that alongside your favorite savory breakfast bake.
pulled meat and slaw sandwich
Don’t want a formal sit-down dinner? This piled-high sandwich is a fun direction to take. Shredded meat fills the browned bun, with pale slaw and purple cabbage spilling over the top.
For a pulled-pork version, set out the buns, meat and slaw separately so everyone can build their own.
sausage and colorful peppers
I love these browned sausage rounds with the red and yellow pepper strips. The green onion rings make the whole bowl even more colorful.
Serve a similar combination over rice if you want a base, or tuck it into rolls for another sandwich option.
dumplings with sesame sauce
These pleated dumplings are so pretty on the turquoise plate. A reddish sauce runs over the folds, with sesame seeds scattered across the dumplings and the dipping bowl.
If you’re planning a dumpling dinner, I’d add a cucumber salad on the side. Let the dumplings stay the main event.
sausage cabbage and potatoes
This is another sausage idea, but it’s a little different from the pepper bowl above. Browned sausage pieces share the pan with potato halves, cabbage and chunks of onion.
I like this one for a dinner served straight from the pan. A little chopped herb garnish is all I’d add to the presentation.
baked dip and tortilla chips
Looking for something to put out before dinner? This baked dip is a starter rather than a full main, with a browned cheesy top covered in chopped tomatoes and green garnish.
Read also: 20 One Dish Dinners With Cheesy Bakes, Chicken and Colorful Veggies
I love the ring of tortilla chips around the dish. Borrow that arrangement for a casual table with chili or sandwiches.
sliced pork with herbs
Last but definitely not least, we have this sliced pork with browned edges and herbs. The overlapping slices sit in two rows, with long herb sprigs tucked down the sides.
Keep the same presentation on a serving platter if you’re bringing it to the table. I’d pair it with potatoes and the cabbage side you like best.
Related stories