Source: Gkrphoto, AdobeStockThe main course is the culmination of any festive dinner, and everyone wants it to be beautiful and delicious. But no one wants to spend the entire evening in the kitchen while guests are having fun. That's why we've gathered 20 hot dish recipes for New Year 2026 that look festive and are prepared without much hassle!
1. Turkey with Orange Sauce
Source: AdobeStockA true find for the New Year's table!
You will need: 600 g turkey fillet, 4 oranges, 100 g butter, 4 cloves garlic, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 4 tsp flour, 2 tsp paprika, vegetable oil, salt, ground black pepper.
Preparation: Zest the oranges and squeeze the juice. Sauté the flour in butter, stirring, over low heat. Add the orange juice, zest, soy sauce, paprika, and a pinch of salt. Simmer this sauce over low heat, stirring constantly. When it thickens, add crushed garlic, stir, and remove from heat.
Slice the turkey pieces, lightly pound them, season with salt and pepper. Briefly fry them in vegetable oil on both sides until golden, then transfer to an oven at 180 degrees Celsius for 20 minutes, covered with foil, to cook through. Afterward, pour the prepared sauce over the meat and serve.
2. Grilled Beef Steaks
Source: AdobeStockMinimalist, juicy, delicious, and everyone will be delighted.
You will need: 4 beef steaks, vegetable oil, salt, ground black pepper.
Preparation: Trim the beef of membranes and fat, season with salt and pepper, lightly rub with vegetable oil, and let sit for 20 minutes at room temperature. Then grill the steaks on a well-heated grill or grill pan for about 1 minute per side; cooking time depends on desired doneness. Afterward, cover the cooked steaks with foil and let them rest for 3-5 minutes.
3. Roasted Leg of Lamb
Source: AdobeStockTender pieces of meat that simply melt in your mouth!
You will need: 1 leg of lamb, 50 ml olive oil, 50 ml red wine vinegar, 10 g honey, 3 cloves garlic, 3 sprigs cilantro or parsley, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp aromatic herbs, ground black pepper, chili pepper.
Preparation: Place all ingredients except the lamb in a blender and blend until smooth. Let this marinade sit for a while. Meanwhile, clean the leg of lamb and carefully remove both bones by cutting the meat with a sharp knife. Spread the lamb open like a fan, brush with some of the marinade, wrap the meat around the bone, tie with kitchen twine, and brush with the remaining marinade.
Place the leg of lamb in a roasting bag, leave for 2-3 hours at room temperature, then roast for about 2 hours in the oven at 180 degrees Celsius. During cooking, if you see the meat browning too quickly, reduce the temperature.
4. Roasted Veal with Rosemary and Garlic
Source: AdobeStockVeal is associated with strength and nobility, which perfectly aligns with the character of the Fire Horse – the symbol of New Year 2026.
You will need: 1 kg veal, 3 sprigs rosemary, 3 cloves garlic, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar, salt, ground black pepper, aromatic herbs.
Preparation: Mix olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, black pepper, and aromatic herbs. Thoroughly rub the veal with this marinade, then make small incisions and stuff them with garlic slices. Cover everything with cling film and let marinate for several hours at room temperature.
Afterward, quickly sear the veal on all sides in a hot pan over high heat and transfer it to a roasting bag. Add the rosemary to the bag, tie it, and roast the meat for 75-80 minutes in the oven at 180 degrees Celsius.
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5. Chicken Drumsticks in Soy-Honey Marinade
Source: AdobeStockAn easy and quick recipe, and the ingredients are probably already in your kitchen.
You will need: 1 kg chicken drumsticks, 50 ml soy sauce, 25 g honey, 25 ml lemon juice, 1 tsp paprika, 0.5 tsp ground ginger.
Preparation: Mix soy sauce, honey, lemon juice, paprika, and ginger. If desired, add other spices. Marinate the chicken drumsticks in the resulting mixture for 2-4 hours in the refrigerator, then place them in a baking dish and pour the remaining marinade over them. Bake for 40 minutes in the oven at 180 degrees Celsius.
6. Shrimp in Orange Sauce for New Year's
Source: AdobeStockLarge king prawns are best suited for the New Year's table.
You will need: 600 g shrimp, 2 oranges, 1 onion, 2-3 cloves garlic, 50 ml olive oil, salt, ground black pepper.
Preparation: Chop and sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil. Cut a few orange slices, and squeeze the juice from the rest. Pour the orange juice into the pan, bring it almost to a boil, add the shrimp, and stir. Season with salt and pepper, and simmer for 3-5 minutes, then add the orange slices and simmer for about 1 more minute.
7. Salmon in Creamy Mustard Sauce
Source: AdobeStockThe delicate flavor makes the dish exquisite but not overwhelming.
You will need: 1 kg salmon, 2 cups heavy cream, 4 cloves garlic, 2 sprigs thyme, 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tsp grainy mustard, salt, ground black pepper, aromatic herbs.
Preparation: Gut and cut the fish into serving pieces, season with salt and pepper, place in a baking dish, drizzle with vegetable oil, and add thyme sprigs on top. Mix cream, crushed garlic, grainy mustard, aromatic herbs, and more spices to taste. Pour this sauce over the salmon and bake for 20 minutes in the oven at 200 degrees Celsius.
8. Pasta with Spinach and Pesto
Source: AdobeStockFor those who prefer something meat-free on New Year's Eve.
You will need: 600 g spaghetti or other pasta, 200 g frozen green peas, 150 g spinach, 200 ml heavy cream, 75 g Parmesan cheese, 1/2 bunch basil, 5 tbsp pesto sauce, salt, ground black pepper.
Preparation: Cook spaghetti according to package instructions. Separately, pour boiling water over spinach and peas for 3-4 minutes, drain, and transfer to a blender. Add pesto sauce, basil, grated Parmesan, and cream, and blend lightly again. Mix the spaghetti with the resulting sauce, cook for another 2 minutes, and season with salt and pepper at the end.
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9. Chicken Skewers in Kefir Marinade
Source: AdobeStockTender marinade and nothing heavy. A wonderful healthy New Year's recipe!
You will need: 1 kg chicken fillet, 400 ml kefir, 2 onions, 4 cloves garlic, 4 tbsp soy sauce, salt, ground black pepper.
Preparation: Cut the chicken fillet into pieces, chop the onion, finely mince the garlic, and add the remaining ingredients. Mix and leave the chicken to marinate in this mixture for 4 hours in the refrigerator.
Soak wooden skewers in cold water for half an hour and thread the chicken pieces onto them. Arrange the skewers on a rack, place it on a baking sheet, and bake for 35-40 minutes in the oven at 190 degrees Celsius, turning periodically.
10. New Year's Duck with Apples and Oranges in Glaze
Source: AdobeStockAn impressive dish for a large family or numerous guests.
You will need: 1 duck, 3 apples, 2 oranges, 4 sprigs thyme, 3 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp olive oil, 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp dried garlic, ground black or red pepper.
Preparation: Thoroughly wash and pat dry the duck, make several punctures in the skin. Mix olive oil, a spoon of honey, salt, and spices, and thoroughly rub the duck with this marinade inside and out. Then place it in a bag and leave to marinate overnight in the refrigerator.
Slice the apples and one orange, then stuff the duck with the fruits and thyme. Secure the opening with toothpicks, place the bird in a baking dish breast-side down, and you can also arrange fruits around it. Cover everything with foil and bake for approximately 1 hour in the oven at 180 degrees Celsius.
Afterward, remove the foil, flip the duck, and bake for another 45 minutes. Mix the juice of the second orange, its zest, 2 spoons of honey, and heat until dissolved. Brush the duck with the resulting glaze and bake for another 15 minutes. Then flip again, brush with glaze, and bake for another 45-60 minutes, continuing to brush it every 15 minutes.
11. Meat Patties with Herbs
Source: AdobeStockA time-tested classic that no one will remain indifferent to.
You will need: 300 g beef, 400 g pork, 80 g white bread, 35 ml milk, 1 onion, 1 egg yolk, 2 cloves garlic, 1 bunch herbs, flour, salt, spices.
Preparation: Soak the bread in milk and lightly squeeze it. Chop and sauté the onion until soft, finely chop the herbs with garlic, and pass both types of meat through a meat grinder. Add the egg yolk, mix all ingredients, season the resulting mince with salt and spices.
Knead it, let it rest for half an hour, then form patties with wet hands. Roll them in flour and fry on both sides over medium heat. Afterward, reduce the heat, cover the pan, and cook the patties until done, turning occasionally.
12. Pork Roll with Prunes and Nuts
Source: AdobeStockPork symbolizes prosperity, and nuts – wisdom. An excellent recipe for New Year 2026!
You will need: 1 kg pork, 200 g prunes, 100 g walnuts, 2 eggs, breadcrumbs, salt, ground black pepper, other spices.
Preparation: Soak prunes for 10 minutes in hot water, rinse, pat dry, and finely chop. Chop walnuts and mix them with prunes. Separately, slice pork into pieces about 10 mm thick, pound them lightly through cling film, season with salt, pepper, and spices to taste. Place the filling on each cutlet, roll up, dip in beaten eggs, roll in breadcrumbs, and fry on medium heat on all sides until cooked through.
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13. Beef Stew with Vegetables
Source: AdobeStockCombines vibrant flavor and accessible ingredients perfectly.
You will need: 1 kg beef, 4 potatoes, 2 carrots, 2 bell peppers, 2 tomatoes, 1 eggplant, 1 zucchini, 1 onion, 3 cloves garlic, herbs, salt, spices.
Preparation: Chop all ingredients for the stew. Sauté the onion until translucent, add garlic, and after 2 minutes – the beef. Continue cooking until golden brown, pour in 1.5 cups of water, reduce heat to low, and season the meat to taste. Simmer for 1 hour, covered, stirring occasionally. If needed, add more water.
Separately, sauté carrots, bell peppers, eggplant, and zucchini until soft, add chopped tomatoes, and simmer for another 2 minutes.
Add potatoes to the meat, pour in another 1 cup of water, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Add the remaining vegetables, stir gently, cook for another 10-12 minutes, and sprinkle the finished stew with chopped herbs.
14. Chicken Stuffed with Bulgur
Source: AdobeStockA whole roasted chicken looks elegant and festive even for New Year's!
You will need: 1 chicken, 1 cup bulgur, 1 tomato, 1 onion, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tbsp tomato paste, 3 tbsp vegetable oil, salt, chicken spices.
Preparation: Sauté bulgur in a small amount of oil for 2-3 minutes, stirring. Pour in 2 cups of water, cover, and cook for 10 minutes. Peel and chop the tomato, add it to the bulgur, mix with tomato paste, salt, and simmer for another 5 minutes.
Rub the chicken with the remaining oil and your favorite spices, stuff with garlic, and place a whole onion inside. Stuff it with bulgur, and place the remaining filling in a baking dish. Place the chicken on top and bake for 1.5 hours in the oven at 190-200 degrees Celsius, periodically basting it with the juices.
15. Chicken Fillet in Yogurt Marinade with Turmeric
Source: AdobeStockGolden spicy turmeric seems to enhance the fiery symbol of 2026.
You will need: 2 chicken fillets, 400 ml yogurt, 10 sprigs mint, 2 cloves garlic, 2 tsp starch, 1 tsp turmeric, salt, ground black pepper.
Preparation: Mix yogurt, turmeric, salt, ground pepper, chopped mint, and garlic. Cut the chicken fillet into large pieces, marinate for 1 hour, then place in a baking dish. Mix the remaining marinade with starch to avoid lumps, and pour over the chicken. If desired, starch can be omitted – it's only for thickening. Bake the dish for 30-40 minutes in the oven at 180 degrees Celsius.
16. Potato Gratin with Mushrooms and Cheese
Source: AdobeStockA cozy family dish that embodies home comfort and stability.
You will need: 1 kg potatoes, 500 g mushrooms, 300 g onions, 300 ml cream, 100 g hard cheese, 2 eggs, 4 cloves garlic, salt, ground black pepper, ground nutmeg.
Preparation: Slice the onion into feathers, thinly slice the mushrooms, and sauté them together until the moisture evaporates. Season with salt and pepper. Peel and slice the potatoes into the thinnest possible rounds.
Grease a baking dish with oil and arrange a layer of potato slices, overlapping. Add half of the mushrooms, sprinkle with chopped garlic, and repeat the layers. Mix cream, eggs, grated cheese, and nutmeg. Pour the resulting sauce over the preparation, cover with foil, and bake for 45 minutes in the oven at 180 degrees Celsius. Afterward, remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes.
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17. Rice with Vegetables
Source: AdobeStockThe most versatile side dish that everyone will surely enjoy.
You will need: 300 g rice, 100 g frozen green peas, 100 g frozen or canned corn, 1 bell pepper, 100 g green beans, 2 carrots, 1 onion, vegetable oil, salt, ground black pepper, aromatic herbs.
Preparation: Chop all vegetables into small pieces and rinse the rice. Sauté the onion, and after 2 minutes, add the carrots. After another 3 minutes – bell pepper and green beans, and after another 3 – peas and corn. Season with salt, pepper, sprinkle with aromatic herbs, add a little more oil, and add the rice.
Fry for 1 minute, stirring, then pour enough water to cover everything. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer for 12-15 minutes over medium heat. When the water is fully absorbed, stir gently and heat for another 5 minutes over low heat.
18. Chicken Rolls with Dried Apricots for New Year's
Source: AdobeStockThe rolls look neat and festive, and the orange color of the filling is very appropriate.
You will need: 600 g chicken thigh fillet, 200 g onion, 150 g dried apricots, 150 g prunes, 3 cloves garlic, salt, spices.
Preparation: Cut, unfold, lightly pound, and season the chicken thigh fillet. Soak dried apricots and prunes for 10 minutes in hot water, rinse, pat dry, and finely chop. Place this filling on the chicken cutlets, add crushed garlic, and roll them up.
Secure them with twine or toothpicks and fry until golden on all sides. Afterward, set the rolls aside and sauté the onion sliced into feathers in the same pan. Then place the chicken rolls on the onion bed, cover, and simmer for another 15 minutes over low heat.
19. Baked Trout with Lemon and Herbs
Source: AdobeStockFor the Year of the Fire Horse, refreshing citrus will be especially appropriate on the festive table!
You will need: 2 trout carcasses, 40 g butter, 1/2 lemon, 4 sprigs parsley, 4 sprigs basil, salt, ground black pepper.
Preparation: Gut and clean the trout. With a sharp knife, make an incision along the spine from the belly to the tail; the goal is to carefully remove the spine and open the fish. Use tweezers to remove smaller bones.
Season with salt and pepper and brush the fish with butter. Arrange herbs and lemon slices, close the fish, and season with salt on top. Then place them on a rack and bake for 15-20 minutes in the oven at 200 degrees Celsius.
20. Lamb Roast with Potatoes
Source: AdobeStockPerhaps one of the most hearty dishes in this selection!
You will need: 600 g lamb, 600 g potatoes, 1 bell pepper, 1 tomato, 1 carrot, 1 onion, 1/2 bunch parsley or cilantro, vegetable oil, salt, spices.
Preparation: Cut the lamb into medium pieces and fry in a pan until browned. Then add chopped onion and carrot, and fry for 10 minutes over medium heat, stirring. Add the chopped pepper to the meat, season, and simmer for another 40 minutes, covered, over low heat.
Separately, fry the chopped potatoes until semi-cooked. Add the potatoes and chopped tomato to the meat and vegetables, cover, and simmer for another 15 minutes. At the end of cooking – season and sprinkle the roast with chopped herbs.