Source: Svetlana Kolpakova, AdobeStockNo New Year is complete without salads – they are an indispensable attribute of the holiday, like a Christmas tree, lights, and the scent of tangerines. The Year of the Fire Horse is ideal for culinary experiments – salads for it should be bright, colorful, and not too greasy or heavy. We share the best recipes for your New Year's table 2026!
1. Chicken, Pineapple, and Corn Salad
Source: AdobeStockA classic festive salad, but with a new twist.
You will need: 2 chicken fillets, 5 eggs, 200 g canned pineapple, 200 g canned corn, 100 g hard cheese, 1 pomegranate, mayonnaise or yogurt, salt.
Preparation: Boil, then dice the chicken fillet and eggs. Grate the cheese on a coarse grater and dice the pineapple. Add corn and pomegranate seeds, season with salt, and dress the salad with yogurt or mayonnaise.
2. Calamari and Egg Salad
Source: AdobeStockAnother traditional New Year's recipe with an interesting interpretation!
You will need: 4 squid tubes, 4 eggs, 2 cucumbers, 2 green apples, herbs, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp soy sauce, lemon juice, spices.
Preparation: Separately boil eggs and calamari for 1-2 minutes in boiling water. Cut calamari, cucumbers, and apples into julienne strips. Drizzle apples with lemon juice to prevent browning. Chop the herbs, grate the eggs on a coarse grater, and dress the salad with olive oil, soy sauce, and spices.
3. Tangerine and Cheese Salad
Source: AdobeStockWhat New Year is complete without the scent of tangerines?
You will need: 400 g tangerines, 200 g hard cheese, 2-3 cloves garlic, yogurt or light mayonnaise.
Preparation: Peel and slice the tangerine segments, and dice the cheese. Press the garlic through a press and dress the salad with yogurt or mayonnaise to taste.
4. Chicken and Pumpkin Salad
Source: AdobeStockServe it in a salad bowl or individually.
You will need: 300 g chicken fillet, 400 g pumpkin, 200 g salad mix, 2 handfuls peanuts, 100 g Parmesan, 2-3 cloves garlic, 8 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp grainy mustard, 1 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 3 tsp apple cider vinegar, salt, spices.
Preparation: Dice the pumpkin and add crushed garlic, salt, your favorite spices, apple cider vinegar, and 2 tablespoons of oil. Marinate for half an hour, then bake for 20 minutes in the oven at 180 degrees Celsius.
Rub the chicken fillet with oil and spices, wrap in foil, and bake for about 40 minutes. Mix the remaining olive oil, grainy mustard, honey, and lemon juice for the salad dressing, and pour it over the salad leaves. Slice the chicken, toast the peanuts in a pan, arrange everything on the greens, and sprinkle with grated Parmesan.
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5. Tomato and Pomegranate Salad
Source: AdobeStockAt the very least, it's definitely very unusual!
You will need: 5-6 tomatoes, 2 red onions, 100 g brined cheese, 100 g pomegranate seeds, 1 bunch cilantro, 2 tbsp olive oil, salt.
Preparation: Slice the red onion into half-rings, cut the tomatoes into medium pieces, and chop the cilantro. Add pomegranate seeds, cheese, season with salt, and drizzle the salad with vegetable oil.
6. Shrimp and Red Caviar Salad for New Year
Source: AdobeStockSeafood lovers will definitely enjoy this recipe.
You will need: 500 g shrimp, 6 eggs, 50-60 g cooked rice, 3 tsp red caviar, mayonnaise, salt.
Preparation: Cook rice and eggs in advance, separate the whites and grate them, and use the yolks for another recipe. Boil, peel, and chop the shrimp. Mix everything, season with salt, dress the salad with mayonnaise, and gently fold in the red caviar.
7. Chicken, Tangerine, and Cucumber Salad
Source: AdobeStockA crispy, aromatic, and simply beautiful salad – no downsides found.
You will need: 1 chicken fillet, 300 g tangerines, 200 g cucumbers, 1 bunch lettuce, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp grainy mustard, 0.5 tsp apple cider vinegar, salt, ground black pepper.
Preparation: Boil and cool the chicken fillet in advance. Cut the chicken, tangerine segments, and cucumbers into roughly equal pieces. Shred the lettuce leaves, and for the salad dressing – mix olive oil, grainy mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt, and ground pepper.
8. Crab Stick and Red Cabbage Salad
Source: AdobeStockLooks much more impressive and interesting than classic crab salad!
You will need: 300 g crab sticks, 300 g red cabbage, 4 eggs, 200 g canned corn, 1 bunch green onions, light mayonnaise, salt, ground black pepper.
Preparation: Boil and dice the eggs, shred the red cabbage, slice the crab sticks, and chop the green onions. Season with salt and pepper, and dress the salad with mayonnaise.
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9. Olivier Salad with Fresh Cucumber
Source: AdobeStockThe most suitable version of Olivier for welcoming 2026.
You will need: 1 chicken fillet or 400 g beef, 3 potatoes, 1 carrot, 4 eggs, 2 fresh cucumbers, 1 can canned peas, herbs, yogurt or light mayonnaise, salt, ground black pepper.
Preparation: Boil the meat, potatoes, carrots, and eggs. Once cooled, dice these ingredients, chop the herbs, add canned green peas, season with salt and pepper, and dress the salad with mayonnaise or yogurt.
10. Ham and Pineapple Salad
Source: AdobeStockYou can use homemade ham if you wish.
You will need: 400 g ham, 250 g canned pineapple, 1-2 bell peppers, 1 bunch green onions, light mayonnaise, salt, spices.
Preparation: Dice all ingredients and chop the green onions. Season and dress the salad with mayonnaise. An alternative dressing option is a little vegetable oil with soy sauce.
11. Beetroot, Pumpkin, and Persimmon Salad
Source: AdobeStockBright salads with red and orange hues are well-suited for welcoming the Year of the Fire Horse.
You will need: 4 beetroots, 200 g pumpkin, 4 tangerines, 2 persimmons, 200 g salad mix, 1 handful walnuts, 5 tbsp olive oil, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp honey, 1 pinch ground nutmeg, 1 pinch ground red pepper.
Preparation: Roast, cool slightly, peel, and slice the beetroots thinly. Cut the pumpkin into sticks, sprinkle with nutmeg, and fry in a pan until soft. If the pumpkin is not sweet, sprinkle it lightly with sugar during cooking. Slice the peeled tangerine segments and persimmon, and combine all ingredients. Mix olive oil, honey, soy sauce, and spices for the salad dressing.
12. Red Fish and Green Bean Salad
Source: AdobeStockIt's better to use lightly salted, not smoked, fish.
You will need: 200 g red fish, 200 g bell pepper, 200 g green beans, 50 g red onion, 1 tbsp olive oil, salt, ground black pepper.
Preparation: Lightly blanch the green beans, cut the bell pepper and red onion into julienne strips, and thinly slice the red fish. Season with salt and pepper, and drizzle the salad with oil.
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13. Turkey and Orange Salad for New Year
Source: AdobeStockIf you don't have turkey, chicken breast will also work.
You will need: 300 g turkey fillet, 2 oranges, 100 g walnuts, 200 g dried cranberries or dried cherries, 150 g hard cheese, mayonnaise or yogurt, salt, ground black pepper.
Preparation: Boil and cool the turkey fillet, peel the orange segments, and dice everything. Grate the cheese, chop the nuts, add cranberries, and mix the salad. Season with salt and pepper and dress to taste.
14. Chicken and Grape Salad
Source: AdobeStockIf the grapes are large, cut them in half.
You will need: 2 chicken fillets, 500 g Napa cabbage, 4 eggs, 250 g grapes, 2 bell peppers (fresh or pickled), herbs, light mayonnaise, salt, ground black pepper.
Preparation: Separately boil and cool the chicken fillet and eggs. Shred the Napa cabbage, chop the herbs, and slice the remaining ingredients. Season with salt and pepper and dress the salad with mayonnaise.
15. Korean Carrot and Cucumber Salad
Source: AdobeStockA moderately spicy, moderately hearty, and quite festive salad for the New Year's table 2026.
You will need: 1 chicken fillet, 250 g Korean carrots, 2 cucumbers, 100 g hard cheese, mayonnaise or yogurt, garlic.
Preparation: Boil and finely chop the chicken. Similarly, chop the cucumbers, grate the cheese on a coarse grater, and lightly chop the Korean carrots. Press the garlic through a press and dress the salad with mayonnaise or yogurt.
16. Calamari and Shrimp Salad
Source: AdobeStockThe advantage of seafood is also that it cooks almost instantly.
You will need: 400 g calamari, 300 g shrimp, 3 eggs, 1 bunch parsley, 2 cucumbers, light mayonnaise.
Preparation: Boil calamari for 1-2 minutes in boiling water and dice them. Boil, peel, and chop the shrimp and eggs. Then peel and chop the cucumbers, chop the parsley, and dress the salad with mayonnaise.
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17. Beetroot, Carrot, and Pomegranate Salad
Source: AdobeStockIf desired, add another handful of dried fruits or candied fruits.
You will need: 2 beetroots, 2 carrots, 1 red onion, 1 pomegranate, 2 handfuls walnuts, 3 tbsp vegetable oil, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tsp honey, salt, spices.
Preparation: Mix vegetable oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and spices to taste. Separately grate the beetroot and carrots on a coarse grater, finely chop the onion, chop the walnuts, and deseed the pomegranate. Mix all ingredients together with the previously prepared dressing.
18. Persimmon, Tangerine, and Feta Salad for New Year
Source: AdobeStockSalty feta wonderfully complements sweet fruits.
You will need: 200 g Iceberg lettuce, 4 tangerines, 3 persimmons, 150-200 g feta, 2 handfuls walnuts, 6 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp grainy mustard, 2 tbsp honey, juice of 1 lemon.
Preparation: Peel the tangerine segments and arbitrarily chop all ingredients, including Iceberg and feta. Mix olive oil, grainy mustard, lemon juice, and honey, pour this dressing over the salad, and sprinkle with chopped nuts.
19. Carrot and Orange Salad
Source: AdobeStockAn interesting idea to add something sweet and healthy to the New Year's table.
You will need: 4 carrots, 2 celery stalks, 3 oranges, 2 handfuls of your favorite nuts, 50 g raisins, 100 g prunes, 1 lemon, 6 tbsp olive oil, honey, salt, spices.
Preparation: Grate the carrots on a coarse grater and thinly slice the celery. Chop the nuts, coarsely chop 2 peeled oranges, rinse the raisins, and chop the prunes. Mix everything together. Separately mix the juice of the remaining orange, lemon juice, oil, honey, salt, and spices to taste. Pour the resulting dressing over the salad and serve.
20. Crab Stick and Pineapple Salad
Source: AdobeStockBoth family and guests will love it – it's that good!
You will need: 400 g crab sticks, 400 g canned pineapple, 6 eggs, 150-200 g hard cheese, light mayonnaise.
Preparation: Boil and cool the eggs in advance. Dice all ingredients into roughly equal pieces, but you can grate the cheese on a coarse grater. Dress the salad with mayonnaise. Done!