We have the perfect New Year’s Eve Menu to ring in the new year right at home. Here you will find a few different recipes that are all easy to do and we know everyone will love.
New Year’s Eve is a Time to Celebrate!
New Year’s Eve is a time to celebrate with friends and family. What better way to do that than with a delicious meal? If you’re planning on staying in this year, here’s a few different options to help you create a menu that will make your New Year’s Eve party the talk of the town, or the talk of the couch (haha).
We wanted to break it down into Appetizers, Mains, Sides, Desserts, and Cocktails! You can pick and choose whatever works for you, whether you are shooting for a fancy bougie dinner or a casual sweat pants party we got you covered!
Let’s Start With Appetizers
Having one or two appetizers is always a good idea. It helps keep the crowd fed and happy while the main course is ready to serve. Depending on how many people you have coming we would say to have 2-3 for every 5 people. Picking something a little heavier with one or two lighter appetizers is a great strategy. Here are some of our favorites:
- Bacon Wrapped Dates: Bacon Wrapped Dates are such a great party trick to have up your sleeve. During hosting season, this is a great recipe to have on hand, because it is absolutely delicious and very easy to do. Think about it, is there anything better than walking into a party and finding a tray of Bacon Wrapped Dates?
- Baked Brie: We love this recipe because the baked brie recipe allows the cheese to shine. While many recipes slather the brie in jam and wrap it in phyllo dough or puff pastry, (See our Guava Cranberry Baked Brie) this is simply topped with salty marcona almonds and honey. The addition of pomegranate seeds and thyme add a flavorful and festive touch.
- Shrimp Ceviche Verde: This Shrimp Ceviche Verde tastes just as delicious as it looks. Right away you notice the vibrant, refreshing and unique. It is the perfect combination of cilantro, lime, tomatillos and other ingredients that combine with the shrimp for a zingy and flavorful Mexican style ceviche dish. We bet it’s unlike most of the ceviches you’ve made before
You can find all our Appetizer Ideas HERE
Every New Year’s Eve Menu Needs a Main Course
We feel that New Year’s Eve is a great time to celebrate and do something that you wouldn’t normally do. These recipes are a few different ideas to make something that feels special and makes a big statement. They are also not too complicated and won’t be too much hands on time. Just because we are doing something special, doesn’t mean we want to work a lot!
- Beef Tenderloin: Roasting a whole beef tenderloin is something you can do at home that is so easy and just feels extravagant. Whether you are making a fancy dinner at home for just the family or hosting guests for a dinner party, a whole Oven Roasted Beef Tenderloin is a way to splurge and do something that feels extra special without having to do too much work. If you are a smaller party, you can also opt for our Filet Mignon Recipe
- Butter Herb Turkey: Butter Herb Turkey Breast is a great recipe to have up your sleeve. It is the simpler and quicker version of our Whole Roasted Turkey. There is no marinating, no brining. It’s a just season and roast kind of recipe. Turkey breast gets a bad rap for being dry and flavorless. This recipe is going to change all of that for you.
- Paella: Paella, is a traditional iconic dish that comes from Spain. It is another beautiful example of how simple ingredients are amplified and taken to a new level to create a delicious and very impressive dish. Here the short grain rice is toasted and flavored with a chorizo sofrito, cooked gently in a saffron fish broth and studded with a generous amount of seafood.
- Truffle Mushroom Pasta: This Recipe walks the line between rustic and refined. Simple ingredients are elevated with the truffle lined cheese. Earthy wild mushrooms are cooked until they are deeply golden brown and tossed with herbs and fragrant truffle cheese for a creamy finish.
You can find all our Entree Ideas Here
Sides
A New Year’s Eve Dinner Menu needs a side or two. The truth is, the perfect side will really help your main course stand out. Keep in mind that if you did something like Paella, we highly recommend keeping your side to something fresh and light like a salad (see below). However the Beef or Turkey would be even better paired with something that helps it shine. See some of our favorite suggestions below:
- Creamy Greens: We call this recipe Creamy Greens because you can use a multiple amount of greens. Take your pick from spinach, kale or swiss chard. They can all be used as a combination or interchangeably for this recipe. They are mixed in with cheese, which you can substitute mozzarella with any creamy cheese that melts well such as cheddar or gruyere.
- Instant Pot Risotto: This recipe will take your favorite restaurant dish and make it a weekday possibility with the help of our favorite friend, Instant Pot. Most people don’t have the patience to make risotto, because you have to stand over it for 30 minutes. This recipe simplifies all of that. Once three pressure sets it will take 5 minutes.
- Chopped Salad: We call this our Summer Chopped Salad, but it’s perfect all year round. It really is a crowd pleaser, since all the veggies are chopped in a similar size the salad stays crunchy even when it’s been dressed for a couple hours. Nobody wants a soggy salad. This salad is a light fresh bite and goes perfectly with most entrees.
You can find all our Sides Ideas Here
Dessert
It is well established law, every good meal has to finish with dessert. We think when hosting a dinner party on a night like this, you want to make something that you can make ahead. This will ensure that not only will the dessert be delicious, but it will also be as easy as pulling out of the fridge when the time comes. Here are some of our favorites:
- Basque Cheesecake: Basque cheesecake may be viewed in some circles as the gourmet version of cheesecake, but it’s actually easier than the traditional cheesecake. There is no crust, no water bath and no need to worry about the top cracking. It’s a dream dessert: low maintenance, tastes even better when made in advance and impressive.
- Tiramisu with Fresh Berries: This Tiramisu recipe is eggless, and we think you are going to love it as much as we do. We love making an eggless tiramisu because it’s a lot lighter. Something about it just makes the flavor of the vanilla and mascarpone really shine through. Every bite is ethereal.
- Apple Pie with Homemade Caramel Sauce: Apple Pie is one of those desserts that is always a good choice. It is sweet and gooey, and it balances perfectly with the crisp crust. It’s a labor of love, but we think you will find it’s easier than you think, and the results are worth the effort.
You can find all our Dessert Ideas Here
Drinks
We love having a signature cocktail. This helps set a great vibe for the night, and makes your guests feel special. Here are a few of our favorite cocktails that help keep the mood right:
- Alina Dirty Rum Martini: this Rum Martini comes courtesy of our friend, Gio Guttierez, of Chat Chow TV. It’s a great cocktail for a party and it meets the level of sophistication that New Year’s Eve begs for.
- Guava Moscow Mule: In this recipe, we wanted to take the traditional Moscow Mule and give it a little dose of our favorite tropical flavors. You will still find the classic ingredients, vodka, ginger beer and lime juice, but we added sweet and fragrant guava nectar and flavored sparkling water for an extra fizz.
- Spanish Hot Chocolate: This of Spanish Hot Chocolate as a decadent treat. It really is more of a dip than a drink. Almost every café and bakery in Spain offers “chocolate caliente” to accompany churros, magdalenas, panetela or any other of their sweet treats. And with good reason, a good cup of hot chocolate pairs well any dessert and a cold day.
This menu is sure to please everyone at your party, and it’s easy to make at home. So put on your party hat, pop some bubbly, and get ready to ring in the new year with a delicious feast!
