75+ New Year’s Eve Recipes

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Looking for a list of delicious New Year’s Eve recipes to celebrate the upcoming year and say goodbye to the last? I have you covered! Serve a grand dinner or a quick and easy meal with tasty New Year’s Eve appetizers, a main dish paired with some delicious side dish options, and a fancy New Year’s dessert to treat your friends and family. Plus, a few tips on planning the perfect New Year’s Eve dinner menu!

When planning meals for New Year’s Eve, you’ll consider what to serve and how to best engage the spread into a long evening with friends and families. Getting the timing down and having fuel to get you through the night until the bell drops is fun, and you have many recipes to choose from with this list of appetizers, desserts, entrees, and side dish ideas. Go with a theme or simply celebrate with good food for all to enjoy. Your New Year’s Eve dinner will be one for the books!

Tips for Making a New Year’s Eve Dinner

1. Include a few lucky recipes. Many cultures find that certain foods and recipes have a special meaning, and you can choose a few that serve tradition. Lebanese culture has traditional recipes we enjoy on New Year’s, such as fattoush salad, kafta, and potato stew.
2. Choose food that will last. Depending on when your gathering starts, you’ll want to include foods that will stay fresh for a few hours. The night is long, and having stable foods will ensure there is something to eat.
3. Small bites to keep you going. Keep the energy going with New Year’s Eve finger foods to nibble on throughout the night.
4. Pick a few recipes to make ahead. The day before or earlier in the day, spend some time making a few dishes so they are ready to go when guests arrive. This will give you more time to spend with friends and family and enjoy the end-of-the-year festivities.
5. Determine your guest count. Once you know how many people will be at dinner you can narrow down your menu, develop a shopping list, and know how much to prepare.
6. Choose a variety of recipes. Pick a few appetizers and finger foods, the main dinner, and a few desserts that will meet your expectations and satisfy everyone’s diet needs, whether vegetarian, dairy-free, or allergy-friendly. You want recipes that will please everyone’s palates.

How to Plan New Year’s Eve Dinner Menu

• For a traditional sit-down dinner. Start with an appetizer followed by the main course and some desserts. You can get more creative with New Year’s Eve finger foods, handhelds, sides, and a few different sweets for a party-style dinner that will give you the energy to get through the evening.
• Consider kid-friendly foods. You’ll love the variety of New Year’s Eve snacks that will keep sensitive palates happy and their bellies full all evening long. Offering a mix of familiar and fun treats for your youngest guests makes it more enjoyable for everyone.
• Opt for well-balanced New Year’s Eve dinner ideas. Choose an entree, a few sides, and bread for a New Year’s dinner menu that is full of flavor, and nourishment, and signifies the ending of another year. If you’re adventurous, try a Lebanese-inspired menu with recipes such as kibbeh and lamb. Lebanese cuisine is known for using wholesome and fresh ingredients and better-for-you cooking methods. Be sure to check out this extensive list of delicious Lebanese recipes.
• Make fun holiday-themed desserts. Finish the year with some of your best delectable desserts and walk into the New Year with a satisfied sweet tooth. From cakes and chocolates to fruity parfaits and cheesecakes, pick a few of your favorites to serve on this commemorative night.
• Set up a beverage table. Ensure you have enough glasses for a sharable drink when the bell drops. You can also set up a table specifically for drinks. Put ice in a bucket with a scoop, including cups and carafes of tea, lemonade, and ginger ale. A hot chocolate bar is always a hit! You can also make your fruit ice cubes for a fun, colorful, and tasty beverage.

What is a Traditional New Year’s Eve Meal?

New Year’s Even has a few traditional recipes that signify luck, good fortune, and well-being for the coming year, such as black-eyed peas, greens, fish, cornbread, lentils, and pomegranates. Don’t let this keep you from developing personal traditions, though! Create memories through food and choose recipes that resonate with your taste and that your family enjoys.

• Black-eyed peas or lentils bring good luck! You can make them as a side dish, add them to soup, or stuff squash. Learn how to cook lentils to use them in various dishes.
• Cornbread is a traditional food for New Year’s and signifies gold for wealth and luck. This vegan cornbread recipe is healthier and easy to make. Serve with some of your favorite main dishes, and even spice them up by adding chopped jalapenos.
• Greens represent financial prosperity and include collards, cabbage, mustard, or turnip greens. Two of my favorite recipes are roasted cabbage and kale Tabbouleh salad.
• Pomegranate represents a lively New Year to come with fresh starts. Use pomegranate seeds in appetizers, mains, sides, and desserts. It adds a nice burst of tartness and a welcoming pop of color to dishes.
• Seafood is traditionally served on New Year’s Eve for abundance and progress. Fish, shrimp, and scallops are all tasty foods to serve and symbolize a prosperous year to come.

Best New Year’s Eve Recipes

From the best New Year’s Eve appetizers to a sumptuous dinner spread and finishing off the night with delectable New Year’s desserts, you’re sure to find the perfect well-rounded New Year’s Eve dinner ideas here. Whether you’re hosting a cozy gathering of close family and friends or a large dinner party, let this collection of mouthwatering recipes help you celebrate the New Year.

New Year’s Eve Appetizers

• Focaccia Charcuterie Board – This focaccia charcuterie board is a new trend made by baking a wheel of brie right into focaccia bread and then serving it together topped with charcuterie items like deli meats, sliced cheese, fresh fruit and nuts.
• Brie Stuffed Meatballs – These cheese stuffed meatballs use brie, your ground meat of choice and the air fryer to make a delicious cheesy meatball appetizer that is so good!
• Mezze Platter – Enjoy the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean with a mezze platter made wihh tabbouleh, hummus and baba ghanoush! A colorful spread of delicious cold dips, veggies, cheese, and more.
• Smoked Salmon Platter – This smoked salmon platter is the perfect appetizer! The presentation is jaw-dropping and the accompaniments are delicious! Great for holidays and potlucks!
• Sheet Pan Nachos – This easy Sheet Pan Nacho recipe layers crispy tortilla chips with beef, beans, and cheese and is loaded with all your favorite nacho toppings.
• Spinach Artichoke Dip – Made with cashews, this vegan and dairy-free dip bakes in the oven for a gooey appetizer everyone will love. Perfect for dipping with crackers, pita chips, or fresh veggies for a flavorful start to your festive gathering.

• Cheese Stuffed Tomatoes – Elevate your New Year’s Eve finger foods with these unique treats. Whipped goat cheese is filled inside these bite-sized Campari tomatoes for a creamy and fresh flavor.
• Cucumber Sushi Roll – Gluten-free cucumber sushi rolls are so easy to make, and are such a colorful and pretty appetizer – they will be a sure hit to your spread of New Year’s Eve appetizers! Fill with fresh veggies, seasoned cream cheese, and your favorite sushi add-ins.
• Crostini with Roasted Tomatoes –  The ultimate party food or appetizer to serve to guests. They look fancy but are made with only three simple ingredients.
• Vegetarian Stuffed Mushrooms –  Flavorful, cheesy, crowd-pleasing finger foods filled with a mixture of chickpeas and walnuts, offering a satisfying and indulgent bite for your guests to enjoy.
• Avocado Shrimp Salsa – This recipe makes the perfect appetizer with hearty chunks of shrimp, creamy avocado, and zesty onion for a flavorful and protein-rich start to your celebration.
• Shrimp Cocktail – There is a reason classics never go out of style, and this gorgeous platter of chilled juicy shrimp and spicy cocktail sauce is a cause for celebration! Ring in the New Year with sophistication with this timeless app.
• Stuffed Dates – Stuffed dates can be filled with a medley of sweet and savory flavors that promise to satisfy every taste preference.

New Year’s Eve Salads

• Kale Pear Salad – Loaded with sweet pears, candied walnuts, and creamy feta, all tossed in a tangy vinaigrette, this salad adds a burst of flavor and richness to your traditional New Year’s eve meal.
• Brussels Sprout Salad – Made with shaved Brussels sprouts instead of romaine lettuce, and topped with savory homemade croutons for a perfect contribution to your New Year’s Eve dinner ideas.
• Apple Quinoa Salad – Whip up this incredibly delicious salad that features amazing texture, seasonal ingredients, and vibrant colors.
• Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad – Make the most of winter squashes with this seasonal salad. Bursting with flavor and texture, this salad is made with roasted butternut squash, kale, cooked quinoa, and pomegranate seeds.
• Roasted Beet Salad – ‘Tis the season for root veggies to shine. Humble roasted beets are added to a bed of arugula and topped with candied nuts, feta, and dressed with a simple vinaigrette.
• Lentil Salad – Simple to make, this green lentil salad is made with chickpeas and fresh veggies for a refreshing and satisfying salad. You’ll love the wholesome touch to your traditional New Year’s Eve meal with this tasty number.
• Massaged Kale Salad – The simple act of rubbing kale leaves between your hands mellows the flavor and makes them irresistibly soft and delicious! Add a flavorful vinaigrette, briny feta, toasted pecans, and sweet cranberries, and you have a tasty salad that even kale skeptics can’t resist.
• Beet Orange Salad – This simple salad balances the sweetness of beets with the tanginess of winter citrus to create a light, flavorful, and vibrant dish.

New Year’s Eve Side Dishes

• Roasted Delicata Squash – A sweet and savory side that serves as a blank canvas for delicious and seasonal toppings. Try mint, pomegranate seeds, and toasted pecans for fun texture.
• Sauteed Green Beans with Garlic – This one pan side dish comes together with just green beans, butter, garlic and a little salt and pepper but makes a delicious side dish to go with any main course.
• Crispy Parmesan Roasted Potatoes – You will love the rich butter, refreshing herbs, and crispy parmesan, all soaked up into each potato for a mouthwatering bite. Serve them with homemade ranch for dipping.
• Garlicky Garlic Mashed Potatoes – Two heads of garlic infuse the creamy sauce and potatoes for an indulgent mashed potato side dish that pairs well with almost any main entree. This will easily become one of your favorite sides for New Year’s Eve.
• Smashed Sweet Potatoes – Transform your side dish game with these roasted, smashed, and baked sweet potatoes, infused with garlic parmesan cheese to crispy perfection. It’s a delicious departure from mashed sweet potatoes and one that will be a huge hit at your New Year’s party!
• Rosemary Focaccia – No special skills or ingredients are needed to enjoy the delight of freshly baked bread that pairs well with many dishes.
• Stuffed Cabbage Rolls – Filled with a mix of ground meat and rice, these cabbage rolls can serve as a hearty side dish or even one of your main meals for New Year’s Eve. It’s a labor of love but oh-so-worth-it and oh-so-delicious!
• Mediterranean Cauliflower Rice – Seasoned with garlic, herbs, and spices, this side dish is a great low carb alternative that is bursting with fresh flavors.
• Creamy Pasta with Pine Nuts – Creamy, tangy, and easy to make, this yogurt pasta is similar to alfredo and pairs deliciously with traditional Lebanese recipes such as kibbeh. But it’s also a great accompaniment to chicken, steak, or shrimp.

New Year’s Eve Dinner Ideas

Vegetarian Meals for New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Desserts

• Hot Cocoa Bombs – These are so fun to make and drink! Drop them into warm milk and watch the explosion of cocoa and marshmallows pop out and mix into a delicious beverage. It makes a memorable New Year’s dessert for both kids and adults.
• Cranberry Cake – Cranberries, oranges, and almonds come together for a perfect dessert with seasonal flavors. A dusting of powdered sugar or sweet glaze will round out this cake and makes a perfect addition to your New Year’s dessert spread.
• Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies – Chewy and delicious, these cookies are perfect for serving at gatherings with their festive appeal. For a personalized touch, consider switching out the chocolate for white chocolate and writing a message on them with a food-safe pen or frosting.
• Cream Cheese Vanilla Cupcakes – These simple vanilla cupcakes recipe with cream cheese frosting is perfect for any occasion or holiday. It makes a perfect blank canvas for your New Year’s Eve celebration because you can customize it with a food-safe pen to commemorate this holiday.
• Strawberry Sauce over Ice Cream – Get everyone involved to make their own ice cream shaken in mason jars with their favorite toppings! You have the whole evening to work with and this will be a great way to fill up the time with fun activities for the kids and adults, too!
• Holiday Sugar Cookies – Dipped in white chocolate and crushed peppermint, these are a wonderful holiday treat. For a personalized twist, try dipping them in different candies.
• Chocolate Peppermint Bark – The combination of rich chocolate and refreshing peppermint creates a wonderful flavor contrast, making it a crowd-pleaser for both children and adults alike. It’s simple, visually stunning, and oh-so-delicious!
• Vegan Lemon Bars – These delicious lemon squares, featuring an oatmeal walnut crust and zesty lemons. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and tart, making them a delightful vegan treat for all your guests to enjoy.
• Chocolate Souffle – Decadent yet delicate – this chocolate souffle hits the mark for a truly special and intimate dessert to ring in the new year. The airy texture and rich chocolate flavor make it a sophisticated sweet finale to your celebrations.
• Lebanese Baklava – This aromatic dessert has rich flavors and delicious textures. The simple syrup-soaked pastry, filled with crushed walnuts, is a special occasion dessert – perfect for adding a touch of Lebanese sweetness to your New Year’s Eve festivities.

New Year’s Eve Snacks

• 7-Layer Dip – Try this easy Mediterranean twist on the popular dip for your next party; perfect snack to keep the crowd going all evening long. With its flavorful layers, this dip is a satisfying and convenient choice for continuous and wholesome snacking.
• Corn Salsa – This super quick and easy salsa. It’s loaded with vibrant Mexican flavors, takes less than 10 minutes, and can be made ahead of time. Serve with homemade tortillas or your favorite tortilla chips.
• Lentil Cakes – Keep your snack game strong with these small bites. These lentil cakes are perfect for dipping in creamy dill and lemon yogurt and will give you the energy you need to keep the festivities going.
• Berry Chia Pudding – This healthy treat is made with strawberries, almond milk, and chia seeds – it’s satisfying and oh-so-delicious that it’s good enough to be enjoyed as a snack.
• Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies – Good old-fashioned oatmeal cookies are soft and chewy, with chocolate chips in every bite! A classic treat that promises a perfect blend of comforting oats and indulgent chocolate, creating a satisfying sweet snack to keep you going all night long.
• Banana Pudding Parfaits – Made with simple, fresh ingredients for a decadent, delightful, and delicious treat that everyone will love! You could also make this in a larger dish for easy dipping – it’s perfect for sharing a sweet moment of celebration that also serves as a wholesome snack.
• Coconut Date Balls – Frosted with shredded coconut, these little bites are made with dates and nuts for a sweet and healthy New Year’s Eve snacks. These bite-sized treats bring a perfect balance of sweetness and nuttiness to your festive gathering.

Bonus: Recipes To Cook On New Year’s Day!

• Vegan Cinnamon Rolls – Soft, sweet, and mouthwateringly delicious, these cinnamon rolls can be made ahead of time and served for breakfast on New Year’s Day! You’ll love starting off the year with soft and delicious flavors as the sweet aroma fills your home.
• Cranberry Lemon Muffins – Treat yourself to freshly baked muffins with a burst of citrus flavors – perfect for a lovely pick-me-up after a long night. The zesty combination of cranberries and lemon creates a refreshing treat that you won’t resist.
• Tall Banana Pancakes – Wake up and whip up a batch of the fluffiest banana pancakes for all to enjoy. Serve with strawberry chia jam and top with freshly sliced bananas for a sweet treat to start the year off.
• Homemade Granola and Yogurt – Make granola up to two weeks ahead of time and enjoy over a bowl of yogurt, in a smoothie bowl, or with cereal.
• Skillet Dinner Rolls – Take your dinner table to the next level with an inciting aroma of fresh rolls, baked in a cast iron skillet. This rustic method adds a touch of homemade warmth to any meal.
• Pan Seared Scallops with Pasta – Keep the festivities going with more dinner ideas like this delicate pan-seared scallop recipe over pasta. With perfectly seared scallops and al dente pasta, you’ll create an elegant dish that adds a fancy touch to your food spread.
• BBQ Chicken Pizza -Have leftover chicken? Slice it up and make a tasty homemade chicken pizza with onions and BBQ sauce for lunch or dinner. This easy-to-make pizza is a delicious way to repurpose leftovers and enjoy a satisfying meal. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to get the kids involved.
• Couscous with Shrimp – Use leftover shrimp to toss with couscous and some Mediterranean flavors for a quick and easy lunch or dinner to enjoy New Year’s Day. It’s simple, convenient, and oh-so delicious!

How To Keep Food Warm on New Year’s Eve

• Oven: As long as you’re not cooking anything in the oven, you can set it to 200°F and store dishes in there to keep them warm.
• Aluminum Foil: If your oven is not free, you can use aluminum foil, which has reflective properties that protect the food from light and oxygen. The foil reflects the thermal energy of the food, maintaining moisture, flavor, and texture.
• Crock Pots and Instant Pots: Think of recipes that can be made in your crock pot or Instant Pot that will keep food warm during the party. You can use them to keep food warm even if you don’t cook in them.
• Insulated coolers: You can use a cooler to keep food hot as well as cold. The insulation technology that keeps out the heat to maintain cold foods also traps heat and keeps food hot for hours. You can even line the cooler with aluminum foil for even better results.
• Chafing buffet set: You can use disposable chafing dishes to keep everything warm. Set up a table to display all the hot dishes for easy access and maintain temperature throughout your meal.

How To Store the Leftovers

• Consider the specific recipe instructions. Some dishes require refrigeration immediately, while others can be safely stored at room temperature. Always consult the recommended storage guidelines provided in the individual recipe post to maintain freshness and ensure food safety.
• Divide into smaller portions. That way you’ll have ready-to-go individual servings that can easily be reheated or incorporated into other recipes, streamlining your meal prep.
• Store dry and wet foods separately. If possible, keep the salads undressed and have salad dressing on the side to maintain freshness and proper textures.
• Freeze for longer storage. Following the individual recipe recommendations, many recipes are freezer-friendly. Not only does this extend the lifespan of your leftovers, it also provides the convenience of having ready-made meals on hand for busy weeknights.
• Pack a complete meal for your guests. Using compartmentalized containers, create a well-balanced complete meal for your guests to take home with them. This way, they can enjoy a little bit of everything when they’re home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get ready to impress your guests with this collection of New Year’s Eve recipes. Whether you’re looking for snacks to keep the littles full or need a full blown dinner, complete with fancy appetizers and delightful desserts, this compilation has you covered to ring in the New Year with style!

Full List of Recipes

Check out the picture cards for all the recipes listed above. You can click on any recipe cards to take you directly to those recipes.

For more similar roundup of recipes, be sure to check out: Recipes to Make this Winter, Favorite Healthy Soup Recipes, Vegetarian Dinner Recipes, and Healthy Picks for Holiday Appetizers.

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