6 New Year’s Dinner Ideas

Seafood is another great New Year's dinner idea to get the party started, and no seafood fuels the occasion better than naturally light, slightly sweet, wonderfully addictive golden king crab legs. They arrive on your doorstep cooked and flash frozen for maximum freshness. Just defrost the legs and claws, rinse, and serve either chilled or slightly warmed with melted butter for dipping.

Crab legs pair perfectly with cornbread or corn on the cob, rustic potatoes (either roasted, baked, or fried), and almost any green salad. And for dessert, cut through all that buttery richness with something sweet yet slightly tart, such as a Pineapple Upside Down Cake. Or, for something even more elevated — and sure to impress — try your hand at making a Poached Pear Chocolate Cake starring the perfectly ripened Royal Riviera Pears.

Whether you feel like going all out to wrap up the holiday season or just have a lot to celebrate and be thankful for, surf and turf — a marriage of mouthwatering filet mignon and wild Maine lobster tails — is a great way to go. While preparing such a beloved dish at home might feel intimidating, this recipe actually requires little hands-on cooking and is ready in just over 30 minutes.

To round out this perfect pairing of proteins, stick with solid, traditional sides like a Caesar salad or even a simple Greek salad made with Romaine lettuce, feta cheese, cucumbers, tomatoes, and Kalamata olives. Or, consider a refreshing Wild Rice Salad featuring pears, cranberry, and blue cheese — a perfect mixture of fall and winter flavors.

And for dessert, impress guests with a “French" Bread Pudding, which substitutes flaky croissants for traditional brioche bread and then melds those pastries with the flavors of cinnamon, vanilla, and bourbon.

Lamb is wonderful and elegant New Year's dinner option that's big on flavor and cooks quickly. This recipe serves four or more and can be made in less than an hour. Start with lamb chops that you sear on the stove until beautifully crusted and then finish in the oven.

With the lamb's combination of savory, umami goodness, plus the sweetness of pears, rich butter, Gorgonzola cheese, and fresh thyme, you should keep your sides classic and simple — a great garden salad, baked sweet potatoes, or even slices of homemade Autumn Pear Pizza.

Since it's New Year's Eve, don't forget the importance of a good cocktail. We recommend the sweet yet tart Pomegranate Smash, made with pomegranate seeds, fresh mint, apple juice, and vodka (or your favorite non-alcoholic vodka alternative). The drink is perfect for a New Year's celebration since pomegranate seeds are a popular symbol of fertility and new beginnings, and are commonly eaten around the world at the start of a new year.