Small Plates, Big Flavors: New Year’s Eve Recipe Roundup

As the final hours of the year tick near, we find ourselves pausing between what has been and what might become. The table becomes our meeting place, the kitchen our sanctuary, and each small plate a promise that celebration can be quiet, joyful, and shared.

Contrary to what we might see on our FYP pages, New Year's Eve doesn't ask for grand banquets. It asks for bites that linger, sips that sparkle, and recipes that carry warmth from your hands to the hearts of those gathered.

It is with that heartfelt intention that we curated this year's NYE recipe roundup. Below, you'll find my favorite New Year's appetizers and finger foods featuring bold flavors wrapped in small packages alongside simple wine pairings to help each dish stand out.

Mix and match, prepare ahead where you can, and welcome the coming year with grace, gratitude, and a hint of magic.

🎊 Small Plates, Big Flavors

Our theme this year focuses on finger foods and appetizers. There is an ease and an elegance to delicate bites and individual servings. I often say, "I could make a meal of just appetizers," and this year, I plan on doing exactly that.

Below are tips on creating showstopping grazing boards, canapés, and hors d'oeuvres. In conclusion, we have also compiled a complete wine and cocktail menu to accompany your favorite bites.

Showstopping Grazing Boards

• Artisan Charcuterie Board - Grazing boards tell a story: cured meats, olives, fruit, nuts, bread- a tapestry of textures and colors. They invite guests to return again and again, building plates that feel personal and abundant. The perfect charcuterie board offers a medley of everything. Add marinated cheese, a good dip, and a fresh element to bring it to life.
• Italian Antipasto Board - If you're looking for something more region-specific, we love a good antipasto board and mezze plates. This one features mini, individual pies, some cured salamis, marinated peppers, and olives.
• French Cheese Board - Sometimes, a good cheese platter is all you need. It's a perfect foundation for flavor building. You can go for something a bit more unexpected, like a whipped cheese dip, a nut-encrusted cheese ball, or baked brie in a flaky pastry shell.

Delicious Canapés

• Steak Bruschetta with Sweet Pepper Relish - If you're looking for more bite-sized appetizers, canapés are the perfect option. This steak bruschetta is heartier than other appetizers, but will surely impress with its sweet, savory, and smoky combination.
• Truffle Goat Cheese and Pignoli Crostini - For a lighter canapé, go with a simple cheese crostini. From goat cheese to cream cheese, you can elevate it in various ways. Additional toppings can transform the flavor profile. If you're looking for a more festive touch, try candied cranberries and fresh, fragrant rosemary.
• Grilled Peach and Jalapeno Crostini - I love incorporating fruit into savory bites, but I especially love a sweet and spicy combo. Peaches, apples, and pears are perfect here and pair deliciously with grilled jalapenos.

Hearty Hors d'oeuvres

• Lemon Chicken Wings - Wings are the language of gatherings- sticky, savory, impossible not to share. Whether you lean sweet, smoky, or gently fiery, wings carry bold flavor without asking much in return and hold well on a platter. We love these lemon and cheese wings for their ease and bright flavor.
• Fried Italian Shrimp Balls - Golden and fragrant, these little bites offer a crisp crunch on the outside, while inside, they soften into savory tenderness. Serve with a bright dipping sauce or a squeeze of lemon- a gentle reminder that new beginnings can be light and satisfying all at once.
• Onion Fritters - There's something so satisfying about a fritter. These onion fritters are one of our favorites and perfect to make ahead. I like serving them alongside a creamy or cool dip.

Classic Appetizers

• Shrimp Cocktail - Plump, chilled shrimp served with a bright, tangy cocktail sauce - simple, elegant, and forever timeless. This classic appetizer feels refreshingly light, yet celebratory, and it always finds its way to the center of the table. Perfect for guests to enjoy between sips and conversation.
• Deviled Eggs - Familiar yet quietly refined, deviled eggs are a bridge between nostalgia and something new. A hint of mustard, a whisper of heat, maybe a dusting of paprika - they arrive elegant, ready, and utterly dependable.
• Stuffed Mushrooms - These bite-sized stuffed mushroom caps are salty, spicy, and satisfying. With the toasted breadcrumb topping, they add a little crunch and texture.

LTG Picked Favorites

• Salami and Cheese Puff Pastry Twists - These are deceptively easy to make and require only three ingredients. If you make anything this year, make these. You'll be so impressed.
• Spinach Empanadillas - Traditionally, these little pies are fried, but we've baked ours to a flaky perfection with a delicious spinach and currant stuffing that is sweet and savory. These have long been a favorite appetizer of mine.
• Chorizo Meatballs with Hot Honey Sauce - If you love something with a sticky glaze and intense flavor, these smoky meatballs are what you're looking for.

🍸 Cocktails and Wine Menu

• Ginger Rum Cocktail - Spicy yet refreshing, this ginger rum cocktail is the perfect choice for a New Year's gathering.
• Canelazo (Spiced Herbal Cocktails) - If you're looking for a cozier vibe for a quieter and subdued holiday, this canelazo is one of my favorite winter drinks.
• Vodka Martini - You can never go wrong with a dirty martini. Need I say more?

• Sparkling Wines - Lively bubbles cleanse the palate which is why a sparkling wine is perfect for richer and more decadent foods. Champagne and prosecco will pair deliciously with grazing boards and deviled eggs.
• Crisp Whites - Think Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or an unoaked Chardonnay. Their brightness lifts richer appetizers and refreshes between plates. Think cheeses, crostini, and shrimp.
• Light to Medium Reds - Pinot Noir and Grenache offer gentle tannins and quiet elegance.

Browse our extensive cellar for more wines to serve this holiday season! If you have any questions or need more suggestions, leave a comment below, and our in-house Sommelier will get back to you immediately.

And that concludes our New Year's Recipe Roundup! May your New Year begin softly with clinking glasses, shared plates, and recipes that remind us that small things can still hold great joy.

Here's to the beautiful promise of what lies ahead. Cheers!

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