Slow-Cooker Recipes for New Year's Celebrations

Southern tradition says that eating nutrient-rich greens and black-eyed peas will bring good luck in the new year. This hearty dish pairs fresh collards and cooked ham with black-eyed peas and calls for sweet onion, apple cider vinegar, crushed red pepper, brown sugar, and Dijon mustard to create deep, rich flavor.

Chili is the perfect party food for casual New Year's celebrations. Simply brown the beef with chopped onion and place in your slow cooker, then add the remaining four ingredients and cook at HIGH for 5 hours. Set out bowls of condiments so guests can tailor their chili to their own tastes, and serve with a platter full of homemade garlic toast.

Rice pudding is a comforting dessert seasoned with sugar and nutmeg; it's a welcome sweet treat on chilly winter nights. Preparing your dessert in the slow cooker frees you up to focus on the rest of your New Year's Eve preparations.

This irresistible meatball appetizer recipe not only cooks in the slow cooker, but it also calls for just five ingredients! Guests will love the spicy-sweet flavor notes from the cherry preserves and chipotle peppers.

Add a little spice to your New Year's party with these easy beef nachos.

Champagne may be the traditional New Year's drink, but this warm mulled wine punch features festive pomegranate juice, cinnamon, and cardamom. This drink makes a nice alternative to the bubbly and can be served straight from the slow cooker.

Don't let the name intimidate you - you'll find Gruyère cheese in the deli case along with other imported cheeses like Gouda, Edam, and Reggiano. This simple dip is delicious served with sliced raw vegetables or crackers.

Make your own Buffalo wings in the slow cooker for a delicious appetizer that's well suited to New Year's parties.

Slow cookers are perfect for preparing fondue and keeping it warm during a party. This sweet caramel fondue calls for just two ingredients: caramels and sweetened condensed milk. Serve with apple slices and pound cake squares for dipping.

Wassail is another holiday drink that just seems made for the slow cooker. The fruity spiced concoction features bottled ale, apple cider, port, lemonade, diced apple, brown sugar, and traditional holiday spices like allspice, cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom. Garnish with lemon wedges and cinnamon sticks for a festive presentation.

Like your black-eyed peas with a little heat? This easy dish should bring you luck in the new year - and with all that jalapeño and ground red pepper, it may bring you clear sinuses too.