This Keto New Year’s Day menu solves that. We built a complete plan for January 1 with a simple, pre-made brunch and a cozy, symbolic dinner. Each recipe is keto, designed for real life, and fits into a timeline that allows you to actually enjoy your day off.
Consider this your blueprint. You get the delicious food and the relaxing start to 2026.
The Ultimate Keto New Year’s Brunch Spread
A great New Year’s brunch should feel generous and comforting, but you don’t have to commit to the stove. This spread is built around one central make-ahead dish, supported by a few easy, hands-off sides. You can put most of it together the night before, so your morning is all about coffee, company, and a hot meal that appears with minimal effort.
Keto Breakfast Casserole
Start Christmas morning with our simple breakfast casserole. Fluffy eggs, melted cheese and savory sausage come together with a strong Tex-Mex flavor. It is low-carb, gluten-free and only takes 20 minutes of hands-on time. Less effort, better breakfast, no morning stress.
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Why this works on New Year’s Day:
- Fully assembled on December 31st
- One dish feeds everyone at the same time
- High protein and fat content make for a satisfying brunch
Recipe: Keto breakfast casserole with sausage, egg and cheese
Easy protein sides
While the casserole bakes, you can add two classic breakfast proteins with virtually no active work. The key is to use methods that don’t require you to stand over a sizzling pan.
Oven bacon (in a cast iron skillet!)
Perfectly crispy bacon made in the oven with minimal effort and no mess on the stovetop. This method produces consistent results every time and works for meal prep, breakfasts, and keto-friendly recipes.
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Keto Breakfast Sausage Patties
Savory, spicy keto pork breakfast sausage made from simple ingredients and ready in about 20 minutes. These juicy patties go perfectly with eggs or keto sides.
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A fresh, fresh side to find balance
With all the rich, savory flavors, a fresh element is non-negotiable. It cleanses the palate and makes the entire meal feel more complete.
We recommend one Simple avocado tomato salad. This is not so much a recipe as a formula.
The cozy “Good Luck” Keto New Year’s dinner
Dinner should feel intentional but easy. This menu uses classic New Year’s symbolism while remaining completely keto.
The main course: prosperity and ease
The center of this dinner offers two clear paths. You can opt for a quick-cooker roast or a slow-cooker meal that you can set and forget. Both bring their own kind of happiness.
Keto pork tenderloin with garlic herb butter
Succulent, herb-infused pork tenderloin, seared and then oven-roasted, finished with a rich herb butter drizzle for maximum flavor.
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Mississippi stew
Tender, slow-cooked beef shoulder roast simmered with butter, hot cherry peppers, onions and aromatic herbs for rich flavor and melting texture.
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The Greens “Good Luck”.
This is where we lean into the old superstition in the most delicious way possible. Leafy greens such as kale, kale and cabbage are said to symbolize paper money and financial prosperity. We make them because it is a fun tradition, but especially because they provide a delicious, healthy counterbalance to a rich main course.
Recipe for fried cabbage and kale
Quick, savory sauteed cabbage and kale with onion, garlic and spicy herbs, ready in about 20 minutes.
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Keto Comfort Side
No cozy dinner is complete without something soft, rich and comforting to go with it. For a keto table, that role is perfectly filled by the Keto Mashed Cauliflower recipe.
Easy cauliflower puree recipe
Creamy, buttery cauliflower puree made with garlic, cream cheese and a hint of parmesan cheese. A perfect low-carb, keto-friendly comfort side that tastes like the real deal without the carbs.
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Keto New Year’s Day Cooking Timeline
This timeline eliminates decision-making on January 1.
Two days before (December 30)
- Shopping
- Pantry check
- Checking the equipment
Tools required:
- 9×13 baking dish
- Sheet pan
- Cast iron frying pan
- Slow cooker if you use stew meat
- Blender or food processor
Day before (December 31)
Morning or afternoon:
- Assemble the breakfast casserole
- Prepare cauliflower puree
- Season the pork if using
Evening:
- Set the table
- Stage cooking utensils
Brunch schedule on New Year’s Day (11:00 AM)
9:30 am
Remove the casserole from the refrigerator. Preheat the oven.
10:00 am
Baking casserole.
10:15 am
Prepare bacon.
10:30 am
Fry bacon.
10:45 am
Prepare an avocado salad.
11:00 am
Leftover casserole. Slice and serve.
New Year’s Dinner Schedule (6:00 PM)
If you are using Mississippi Pot Roast
- 10:00 AM: Start the slow cooker on LOW for 8 hours
If you use pork tenderloin
- 3:00 PM: Remove pork from refrigerator
- 5 p.m.: Sear pork
- 5:15 p.m.: Roast in the oven
Last hour for both:
- 5:15 p.m.: Reheat cauliflower puree
- 5:40 p.m.: Stir-fried kale
- 5:50 p.m.: Rest pork or shredded roast
- 6:00 PM: Serve dinner
More Keto Recipes for New Year’s Hosting
Related keto resources:
- Keto New Year’s Eve Appetizers
- Keto New Year’s Eve Desserts
- Keto Success Tips
Each supports holiday eating without breaking the keto structure.
Conclusion
This Keto New Year’s Day menu is practical, repeatable, and designed for real kitchens. It prioritizes preparation over panic and structure over improvisation. Save it. Reuse it. Start 2026 without cooking fatigue.
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