A Simple Plant Forward Menu With Vegan Options (Plus Leftovers for New Year’s Day)

If you want a New Year meal that feels festive but does not leave you wiped out, this is my kind of plan. It is simple, flexitarian, mostly plant based, and every recipe has a fully vegan option plus easy flex add ons if you want them.

I also built this menu around foods that many cultures associate with luck, prosperity, and a fresh start.

Important note on nutrition: the nutrition facts below are estimates (brands and portions vary). Use a tracker like Cronometer if you need exact numbers.

Before we cook, here’s what’s fun about New Year food traditions: people all over the world eat symbolic foods for the year ahead.

• In the U.S. South, black eyed peas are linked with “coins,” greens with “money,” and cornbread with “gold.” Food Network+1
• In Spain, people eat 12 grapes at midnight, one for each month, for good luck. Allrecipes+1
• In Japan, many families eat toshikoshi soba (year crossing noodles) tied to wishes for longevity and letting go of the old year. SAVOR JAPAN+1

And because you asked for unique recipes, I checked your Recipes tag list and avoided repeating what’s already featured there. Plant Based Flex

The New Year menu (simple + celebrational)

Appetizer snack board: Za’atar Crispy Chickpeas with Pomegranate (plus veggies and crackers)
Bright salad: Shaved Brussels Sprouts Apple Citrus Salad
Main: Lucky Lentil Mushroom Ragù over Creamy Polenta (or mashed cauliflower)
Lucky side: Black Eyed Pea and Collard Skillet with Smoky Lemon
Dessert: 12 Grape Citrus Skewers with Vanilla Yogurt Dip

Leftovers plan: I included a full “New Year’s Day” remix at the end.

1) Za’atar Crispy Chickpeas with Pomegranate

Crispy, salty, and bright. This is the kind of appetizer people keep “just tasting” until it is gone.

Serves: 6 (as a snack)
Serving size: about 1/2 cup

Ingredients

• 2 cans chickpeas, rinsed and well dried
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp za’atar seasoning
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt (start here)
• 1/3 cup pomegranate arils
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Optional flex: 2 tbsp crumbled feta

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 425°F.
2. Dry chickpeas very well. Toss with olive oil, za’atar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and salt.
3. Roast 22 to 28 minutes, shaking once, until crisp.
4. Finish with lemon juice and pomegranate arils. Add feta if using.

Serving suggestions

• Serve in a bowl with cucumber slices, bell pepper strips, and seeded crackers.
• Add a small bowl of olives for a “midnight snack board” vibe.

Estimated nutrition (per serving, vegan)

• Calories: ~180
• Protein: ~7 g
• Carbs: ~26 g
• Fat: ~6 g
• Fiber: ~7 g

Healthy benefits

• Chickpeas bring fiber plus plant protein for more stable snacking and better fullness.
• Pomegranate adds color and polyphenols that support overall wellness patterns. (General nutrition pattern support.)

Leftover tip: Toss leftovers onto your salad tomorrow like crunchy croutons.

2) Shaved Brussels Sprouts Apple Citrus Salad

This is your fresh, crisp “reset” plate. It balances the cozy main dish perfectly.

Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 5 cups shaved Brussels sprouts (thin sliced)
• 1 crisp apple, thin sliced
• 1/3 cup dried cherries or raisins
• 1/3 cup toasted walnuts or pecans
• 2 tbsp hemp seeds or pumpkin seeds
• Optional flex: shaved parmesan or goat cheese

Citrus Dijon dressing

• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp fresh orange juice
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp maple syrup
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Whisk dressing.
2. Toss Brussels sprouts with half the dressing and let sit 5 minutes to soften.
3. Add apple, dried fruit, nuts, seeds. Drizzle remaining dressing.
4. Add cheese if using.

Serving suggestions

• Serve family style on a big platter.
• For extra protein: add a side of smoked salmon (flex) or baked tofu cubes (vegan).

Estimated nutrition (per serving, vegan)

• Calories: ~230
• Protein: ~6 g
• Carbs: ~18 g
• Fat: ~15 g
• Fiber: ~6 g

Healthy benefits

• Cruciferous veggies like Brussels sprouts support a nutrient dense pattern.
• Nuts and seeds add satisfying fats that help your body absorb fat soluble nutrients from greens.

Leftover tip: This salad holds up well. It is even better the next day.

3) Lucky Lentil Mushroom Ragù over Creamy Polenta

This is comfort food that still feels clean and energizing. Lentils are a popular New Year symbol in several places because they resemble coins and are linked with prosperity traditions. Sightseeing Experience

Serves: 6

Ingredients

Ragù

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 cups mushrooms, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 1/2 cups cooked lentils (or 1 can lentils, drained)
• 1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• Salt and pepper
• Optional: pinch red pepper flakes

Polenta base

• 1 cup polenta
• 4 cups vegetable broth (or water + salt)
• Vegan creamy option: 2 tbsp olive oil
• Flex creamy option: 2 tbsp grated parmesan

Instructions

1. Start polenta: bring broth to a simmer, whisk in polenta, cook until creamy (about 15 to 20 minutes).
2. While polenta cooks, sauté onion and carrots in olive oil 5 minutes.
3. Add mushrooms and cook 5 minutes. Add garlic, thyme, smoked paprika.
4. Stir in lentils, tomatoes, balsamic, salt, pepper. Simmer 10 to 12 minutes.
5. Serve ragù over polenta. Finish with herbs if you have them.

Serving suggestions

• Vegan: top with chopped parsley and a drizzle of olive oil.
• Flex: add a poached egg or parmesan.
• If you want seafood: serve with a side of lemony salmon or shrimp.

Estimated nutrition (per serving, vegan)

• Calories: ~420
• Protein: ~18 g
• Carbs: ~62 g
• Fat: ~10 g
• Fiber: ~14 g

Healthy benefits

• Lentils are rich in fiber and folate and have slow digesting carbs that support steadier blood sugar patterns. The Nutrition Source

Leftover tip: Ragù makes an amazing next day stuffed sweet potato topping.

4) Black Eyed Pea and Collard Skillet with Smoky Lemon

This is your New Year “luck bowl” inspired by Southern tradition. Many people serve black eyed peas and greens because they symbolize prosperity and good fortune. Food Network+1

Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cans black eyed peas, rinsed and drained
• 3 cups chopped collard greens (or kale)
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• Salt and pepper
• Optional: 1 cup cherry tomatoes (adds brightness)

Optional flex add ons

• Top with a soft cooked egg
• Or serve with a side of fish

Instructions

1. Sauté onion, celery, and bell pepper in olive oil for 6 to 8 minutes.
2. Add garlic and spices. Stir 30 seconds.
3. Add black eyed peas and 1/2 cup water. Simmer 5 minutes.
4. Add collards, cover, and cook until tender (5 to 7 minutes).
5. Finish with lemon juice, salt, pepper.

Serving suggestions

• Serve over brown rice, quinoa, or as a warm side next to the lentil ragù.
• Add cornbread on the side if you want the classic “gold” pairing that often shows up in this tradition. Food Network

Estimated nutrition (per serving, vegan, without rice)

• Calories: ~240
• Protein: ~13 g
• Carbs: ~36 g
• Fat: ~6 g
• Fiber: ~10 g

Healthy benefits

• Beans + greens bring fiber and micronutrients that support digestion and heart healthy eating patterns.

Leftover tip: Turn this into breakfast hash tomorrow with diced potatoes.

5) “12 Grapes of Luck” Citrus Skewers with Vanilla Yogurt Dip

A simple New Year dessert that doubles as a midnight snack. In Spain, the tradition is to eat 12 grapes at midnight, one for each month.

Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 72 grapes (aim for small, easy to eat)
• 2 oranges, peeled and segmented
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tsp lime zest
• 1 tbsp chopped pistachios (optional)

Dip

• Vegan: 1 cup unsweetened coconut yogurt + 1 tsp vanilla + 1 tbsp maple
• Flex: 1 cup Greek yogurt + 1 tsp vanilla + 1 tbsp honey

Instructions

1. Thread grapes and orange segments onto skewers.
2. Lightly drizzle or brush with lime juice and add zest.
3. Mix dip ingredients.
4. Sprinkle pistachios over dip or skewers if you want.

Serving suggestions

• Put the skewers on a platter with a little bowl of dip in the middle.
• If you want a party moment: set these out 10 minutes before midnight with sparkling water and citrus slices.

Estimated nutrition (per serving, vegan dip)

• Calories: ~190
• Protein: ~3 g
• Carbs: ~34 g
• Fat: ~6 g
• Fiber: ~2 g

Healthy benefits

• Fruit centered dessert keeps things lighter while still feeling celebrational.
• Yogurt option adds protein and creaminess without needing heavy desserts.

Leftover tip: Skewers become the easiest next day brunch fruit plate.

New Year’s Day leftovers plan (easy and intentional)

Brunch bowl:

• Reheat black eyed pea collard skillet + top with an egg (flex) or add avocado (vegan).
• Add a scoop of leftover salad on the side for crunch.

Lunch:

• Lentil mushroom ragù over leftover polenta, or spoon ragù onto toasted sourdough.
• Add a quick arugula side salad.

Dinner:

• “Clean out the fridge” power bowl: salad + chickpeas + black eyed peas + a drizzle of lemon and olive oil. Done.

Closing note for your post vibe

If you want a New Year table that feels festive but still supports your energy, this is it. Simple. Symbolic. Plant powered.

Flex Your Plant Power, set your intentions, and step into the new year with a little Heart Pounding Fun. 💚✨

Disclaimer:
This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or lifestyle, especially if you have existing conditions or take medication.

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