I can’t remember the last time we were actually home for New Year’s Eve, but I always love to celebrate when given the opportunity. Personally, when I think of NYE, I think about decadence — to welcome the new year and say goodbye to the last one so that’s the theme of these menu suggestions! And also because I find that a tasty brut (dry) champagne pairs really well with those types of dishes. 😂
In regards to hosting a New Year’s Eve gathering, I love the idea of just offering an array of artisan nibbles and hors d’oeuvres for guests to help themselves to over the course of the night while mingling away, but I also love a more formal sit-down dinner with decadent dishes such as steak topped with lobster. I think it really just comes down to what your party vibe is going to be like!
If you’re searching for a bit of inspiration, I’ve gathered some delicious-sounding dishes in today’s post! The list will be a bit heavy in the appetizer section in case you lean in favor of having a variety of small bites at your fête! I’m also not very gifted in the kitchen so my additional criteria for including these recipes is that they have to be fairly approachable in their difficulty factor.
Additionally, there are many cultures that believe in certain eating foods to bring good luck or eating ones that represent good fortune so I sprinkled a few suggestions into this post. I’ll be sure to denote them with an asterisk next to their names in my roundup below in case you’d like to embrace some of these traditions!
– BEVERAGES –
KIR ROYALE
Boulevardier
CITRUS SPRITZER
Champagne Punch
Champagne Margarita
blood orange champagne mule
Whiskey Blood Orange Smash
Pineapple Margarita Sparklers
Sparkling Midnight Thyme Rosé
SPARKLING POMEGRANATE MARTINI
SALTED CARAMEL ESPRESSO MARTINI
Cranberry & St. Germain Sparkler
GRAPEFRUIT & SAGE CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL
Blackberry Raspberry champagne cocktail
…
– APPETIZERS –
Spiced Maple Rosemary Mixed Nuts
FRENCH ONION FILLO BITES
CREAMED SPINACH CUPS
Salmon Mousse Cups
CRAB RANGOON
Cacio e Pepe Chips
BANG BANG CHICKEN
Garlic Butter Steak Bites
turkey Sausage Bundles
BLACK-EYED PEA HUMMUS *
Crab Cakes w/ Peanut Sauce
CHAMPAGNE TURKEY MEATBALLS
Blistered Shishito Peppers & AIOLI
BAKED ARTICHOKES & SMOKY PAPRIKA AIOLI
Thyme-Roasted Grapes with Ricotta & Grilled Bread *
…
– MAIN COURSE –
Garlic Lemon Butter Scallops
Butter Poached Lobster Tails w/ Risotto
Mini Lobster Rolls
Lemon-Parsley Baked Cod *
STEAK & LOBSTER TAIL
Steak Au Poivre
GARLIC HERB BAKED PORK LOIN & POTATOES *
PORK & CABBAGE GYOZA *
ARUGULA CHICKEN SALAD WITH GRAPES
Chicken BELLAGIO *
Vegetarian POTSTICKERS *
…
– SIDES –
CHAMPAGNE RISOTTO
BLACK-EYED PEAS *
MANDARIN ORANGE SALAD *
COLLARD GREENS & BEANS *
CHEESY BAKED ASPARAGUS
Crispy Smashed Potatoes
ginger-sesame SOBA NOODLES *
Honey Balsamic Roasted Carrots
Asiago Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Lentils & Rice w/ Caramelized Onions *
…
– DESSERT –
DESSERT CHARCUTERIE BOARD
Fully Loaded Toffee Saltines
SUGARED CHAMPAGNE GRAPES *
GRAPE SORBET *
TIRAMISU CUPS
IRISH CREAM CRÈME BRÛLÉE
champagne POUND cake
MANDARIN ORANGE BUNDT CAKE *
Tiramisu Cheesecake
I hope this list helps you plan your menu for ringing in the new year! If you need even more food ideas you can find some here and additional beverage suggestions here.
Happy [early] New Year, friends!
I hope that 2023 treats you well. Cheers!
Sending hugs —
xx, Natalie