20 Best New Year's Eve Dinner Recipes for a Memorable Meal
They feel special—without the stress!
Before you break out the party hats and pop a bottle of champagne, there's one New Year's tradition that shouldn't be forgotten: eating the last meal of the year! Whether you sit down to an elegant dinner or host a cocktail party with lots of small bites, this list has all the New Year's Eve recipes you need to ring in 2026. There are plenty of decadent main courses, finger foods, and even a few good luck New Year's foods. Best of all, they're easy to make so you can get back to singing the best karaoke songs or simply making memories with your friends and family.
Not sure where to begin planning your holiday meal? Start with a few fancy New Year's Eve appetizers and festive New Year's cocktails. The melty baked brie, fried deviled eggs, and shrimp cocktail pair perfectly with the crowd-friendly champagne punch! Then focus on the main course. With options for light pasta recipes, easy seafood, and steak dinners, there's something here for everyone. In fact, the surf and turf dinner is the best of both worlds! Round out the meal with delicious sides like Ree's Hoppin' John and a fresh collard green salad. And don't forget an impressive New Year's dessert! Champagne cupcakes will wow any crowd.
Chipotle-Orange Pork Roast
Try making a restaurant-worthy dinner right at home! This tender, juicy meat is paired with big, bright flavors—and isn't hard to pull off! Rub with a smoky, garlicky spice blend, then roast with a chipotle-orange glaze is brushed on top.
Get Ree's Chipotle-Orange Pork Roast recipe.
Cosmopolitan Cocktail
A round (or two) of these pretty pink cocktails is sure to keep party guests feeling bubbly. Made with bright winter citrus flavors like cranberry and orange, they're served in elegant coupe glasses and finished with a zesty garnish for a festive final touch.
Get the Cosmopolitan Cocktail recipe.
Easy Baked Brie
Take any cheese board up a notch with a warm wheel of baked brie. Smooth, creamy, and lightly sweetened with a drizzle of honey, it's perfect for spreading over toasted bread or crisp crackers.
Get the Easy Baked Brie recipe.
Cheese Straws
Put that holiday stash of frozen puff pastry to good use with these irresistible twists. Serve them as an appetizer alongside champagne or tuck them into the bread basket as part of a dinner spread that everyone will reach for.
Get Ree's Cheese Straws recipe.
Little Smokies
New Year's Eve is all about honoring the past while welcoming what's next—and the menu should do the same. Little smokies deliver that nostalgic bite you remember, coated in a tangy-sweet sauce that never goes out of style.
Get Ree's Little Smokies recipe.
Hoppin' John
This traditional black-eyed pea dish is often eaten as a symbol of luck in the upcoming year. It's delicious served over rice (another symbolic New Year's food!).
Get Ree's Hoppin' John recipe.
Pimento Cheese Thumbprint Crackers
These little bites will surprise everyone at the party. They're cheesy and spicy with a hint of chipotle chile powder and a pepper jelly filling.
Fried Deviled Eggs
Crisp up your favorite party snack by covering these deviled eggs in a golden panko and parmesan shell. They're both crunchy and smooth with every bite.
Get the Fried Deviled Eggs recipe.
Steak au Poivre
Why go to a steakhouse, when you can make this decadent dish right at home?! Don't be shy with covering the peppercorn-crusted filet in the rich and savory sauce.
Get Ree's Steak au Poivre recipe.
Pomegranate Martini
Don't forget to shake up a seasonal cocktail with your New Year's Eve dinner. This one has sweet-tart pomegranate juice and orange liqueur.
Get the Pomegranate Martini recipe.
Shrimp Scampi
Garlicky, lemony, and downright delicious—this pasta recipe is only made better by the fact that it'll be on the table in just 15 minutes.
Get Ree's Shrimp Scampi recipe.
Roast Beef
Say so long to dry, tough roast beef forever thanks to this recipe. The pan sauce made from caramelized onions, red wine, and beef stock makes the most scrumptious gravy.
Get the Roast Beef recipe.
Champagne Punch
Add something sparkly to your meal! This holiday punch is made with champagne (or sparkling wine) and white-cranberry-strawberry juice for that subtle pink color.
Get the Champagne Punch recipe.
Surf and Turf
For a restaurant-worthy meal that you can make right at home, look no further than this elegant surf and turf. It comes seared steak with creamy, lemony shrimp.
Get the Surf and Turf recipe.
Collard Greens
Collard greens are often considered a good luck food on New Year's Eve. They're the color of fortune and so darn tasty.
Get the Collard Greens recipe.
Collard Green Salad
In case you didn't know, collard greens can be eaten raw! In fact, they're the perfect hearty base for this "good luck" salad. Note: it's also loaded with black-eyed peas.
Get the Collard Green Salad recipe.
Seared Scallops
This is a very simple yet very impressive way to make scallops for dinner. They sear up quickly in a buttery lemon-garlic sauce.
Get the Seared Scallops recipe.
Sparkling Margarita
This cocktail is everything you love about a classic margarita (including the lime and tequila) plus the added twist of sparkling wine or champagne! It's a fun twist on traditional champagne cocktails.
Get the Sparkling Margarita recipe.
Champagne Cupcakes
Pair your glass of bubbly with a cupcake infused with actual Champagne! It uses the sparkling beverage in both the vanilla cake batter and in the buttercream.
Get the Champagne Cupcakes recipe.
Shrimp Cocktail
Give this classic appetizer an upgraded twist by poaching the shrimp in garlic, lemon, and Old Bay seasoning. It's perfect for snacking throughout the night.
Get Ree's Shrimp Cocktail recipe.
7 Gardening Trends Set to Bloom Big in 2026
Spinach Artichoke Dip Is An Easy, Cheesy Classic
Here's the Best Time to Take Down a Christmas Tree
Ree Shares a Memory She’s Taking Into the New Year
