There are many different ways to try to create luck in this world—but the best, in our opinion, is eating your way to a charmed future. There are several foods and dishes from around the world said to bring prosperity, longevity, and wealth to those who consume them—and we’re not just talking pink hearts, yellow stars, green clovers, and purple horseshoe marshmallows, either.
Ranging from sweet to savory, hearty to hoppin’, the dishes below are believed to boost your luck. If nothing else, you’ll feel lucky to have them on your table. Some are great with sausage. Others lean more dessert-forward. Either way, there are few better ways to press your luck than treating yourself to one of these lucky foods from around the world.
Grapes
If you’re looking for a full year of luck, do as the Spanish do and eat 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight on January 1. It’s said that this tradition brings 12 months of prosperity and good fortune to whoever eats the fruit. (Big question, though: If you only eat 11 grapes, will it only bring 11 months of good luck?) Some also say that if you eat the grapes while sitting under a table, you’ll have extra luck in the love department.
Will it sausage?: There’s no reason a dozen grapes can’t be followed by a dozen slices of sausage. That’s a solid snack board, friend.
Longevity Noodles
Across many Asian cultures, long noodles symbolize long life and prosperity, which is why some form of longevity noodle appears on the Lunar New Year table or at celebratory occasions like birthdays and weddings. There are many options when it comes to longevity noodles: hand-pulled biang biang noodles are known for their chew, Japanese soba offer a nutty flavor, and yi mein, or wok-fired egg noodles, are often paired with mushrooms and leafy greens.
Will it sausage?: Chicken works beautifully with just about everything that goes into Longevity Noodles, and our Classic Roasted Chicken Sausage is the perfect addition.
Make it yourself: Our recipe only takes 20 minutes—a deliciously short time for extra life.
Hoppin’ John
The classic combo of black-eyed peas, rice, and often a ham hock is how the Southern U.S. likes to ensure the new year is filled with luck. Black-eyed peas are supposed to represent coins, and many add collard greens to the plate (the veg is said to symbolize cash) for extra fortune.
Will it sausage?: The more meat, the merrier—chicken sausage and ham hock make a great pair.
Make it yourself: Serious Eats has a tasty way to boost your luck.
Marzipan Pigs
Americans might tell you that you’re a “lucky duck,” but Austrians and Germans have lucky pigs—candy pigs, to be exact. Called Glücksschwein, the charming little marzipan pigs symbolize wealth and good fortune, and are a sweet way to hand loved ones prosperity. The candy pigs are typically made by hand, and some even feature four-leaf clovers or horseshoes for extra luck, making them an unlikely fit for St. Patrick’s Day.
Will it sausage?: As delicious as sweet and savory can be, it’s probably best not to combine these two things.
Pickled Herring
Someone passing you a giant tray of pickled fish might not look like they’re wishing you well, but if that tray is lined with pickled herring, they might be your number one cheerleader. In countries like Poland and throughout Northern Europe, the silver sheen of the fish represents coins, making it a symbol of abundance. In Scandinavia, pickled herring is often coated with a creamy sauce or lots of dill and served on crisp bread with boiled potatoes.
Will it sausage?: It will, and it does—a classic Scandinavian bord is never complete without pickled herring and a healthy dose of sausage.
Ring-Shaped Cakes
There are several cakes across many cultures that are considered lucky. Their one commonality? They’re all ring-shaped, which symbolizes things coming full circle. In New Orleans, there’s the iconic king cake, baked with a plastic toy baby hidden inside (careful with those bites). In Greece, there’s vasilopita, served on New Year’s Day. France has gâteau des rois, and in Spain and parts of Latin America there’s rosca de reyes. Many of these cakes are baked with a coin hidden inside, and the person who finds it is granted extra luck.
Will it sausage?: Not in any format that would be considered delicious.
Lentils
Thanks to their round, coin-like shape, lentils are believed to symbolize prosperity and abundance in Italian culture. The custom is said to originate in ancient Rome, where lentils were exchanged as New Year’s gifts. The idea is that the more lentils you eat, the more wealth you’ll attract. While we can’t guarantee monetary riches, lentils are full of fiber, and a properly functioning digestive system is its own kind of wealth.
Will it sausage?: There are few things that pair better than lentils and chicken sausage...
Make it yourself: ...except maybe Melty Cheddar Chicken Sausage, lentils, and apples, which come together in our hearty/healthy lentil soup.
Ozoni
Ozoni is a Japanese soup eaten on New Year’s Day to bring good luck, good health, and good fortune in the year ahead. It’s also delicious. Traditionally made with a light soy- or miso-based broth, ozoni typically includes vegetables like carrots, daikon, and mushrooms, along with fish cake and a piece of toasted mochi.
Will it sausage?: You could (and should) sneak a few pieces of Classic Roasted Chicken Sausage into the soup.
Make it yourself: Chopstick Chronicles is ready to bring the flavor.
Pork & Sauerkraut
If you’ve ever needed a good excuse to eat a pile of pork, make sure to do it on New Year’s, with a large scoop of sauerkraut. The combination is believed to bring good luck and prosperity, and it’s a custom for many families across the Midwest, especially in places with strong German and Eastern European heritage. Historically, pork is considered a symbol of wealth because pigs are a valuable source of meat, and sauerkraut is associated with health, longevity, and good gut health.
Will it sausage?: A side of Melty Cheddar Chicken Sausage and some mashed potatoes are great additions to a pile of pork and sauerkraut. Or, if you want to skip the pork pile, our sausages have a snappy pork casing.
Make it yourself: Our chef’s sauerkraut recipe gets punched up with a splash of IPA.
Spring Rolls
Good thing it’s easy to eat approximately a dozen spring rolls when you get Chinese takeout, because this crispy snack is said to bring great luck when it comes to wealth. The golden color and cylindrical shape make spring rolls resemble bars of gold. Unlike the latter, you can actually eat these without breaking your teeth.
Will it sausage?: Classic Roasted would make a great addition to your spring roll filling, especially when chopped or crumbled.
Make it yourself: Inspired Taste’s recipe is pure gold.
Good Luck, Great Food, and a Lot of Sausage
Across cultures and celebrations—from Lunar New Year feasts to Fat Tuesday splurges—food has long been tied to luck, prosperity, and long life. And sausage has often been part of the tradition. It shows up in ancient lore and time-honored recipes alike. It’s front and center at holiday markets and Mardi Gras bashes, and tucked into dumplings, stews, and celebratory spreads around the world. So if you’re setting a table meant to bring good fortune, adding a little sausage to the mix certainly can’t hurt—especially when it’s sliced into coins for an extra bit of symbolic wealth.