New Year’s Eve is a time for reflection, a time for looking ahead and a time for spending with family, friends and loved ones. It’s also a great time to host a party that’s full of delicious food, opulence and unique surprises.
If you want to ring in the New Year with a bang by hosting a big party, why not go over the top and bring something completely new to the table — both literally and figuratively?
This year, consider making your party’s theme BBQ. While it’s often associated with summer get-togethers, BBQ makes for fantastic food in the winter, too, with its warming spices and hearty meals.
Below are some delicious BBQ ideas for your New Year’s Eve party that will impress your guests — from appetizers to main courses to sides, salads and even desserts.
No New Year’s Eve party would be complete without a great selection of appetizers and small plates. Picky foods are a great way to start the evening and welcome your guests.
There are many ideas you could use for BBQ starters.
A hit would be grilled scallops with lemon pepper and balsamic butter. This dish is luxurious and would provide an elegant start to your party.
Other ideas include BBQ lobster tails with grilled lemons and garlic, grilled vegetables with olive oil and red pepper flakes for a healthy option with a kick, and mini BBQ souvlaki pizzas for a fun and easy-to-eat choice.
When it comes to the main course, you can shine with some impressive BBQ dishes that you normally wouldn’t find at a backyard cookout.
If you’re looking for a true show-stopper, there’s nothing better than a prime rib roast for New Year’s Eve. This BBQ version is made with a garlic and thyme rub for a delicious flavor.
Sticking with beef options, you could opt for grilled steak with a lemon and herb marinade, which will give you a flavorful and tender dish.
If you’re looking for a beef alternative, you could try pork BBQ Ribs with a sweet and smoky sauce. This would provide your guests with a classic BBQ favorite they’ll know and love.
You could even go with grilled chicken with a spicy BBQ rub. This dish is not only delicious but will certainly please your crowd.
Main courses and appetizers get a lot of attention, but you shouldn’t forget about sides, salads and desserts. All of these courses can easily get a BBQ twist.
BBQ sides and salads can be light and bright at the same time, providing the perfect complement to any of the main dishes above.
Simple grilled veggies with a balsamic vinaigrette is the perfect bright note and refreshing side to any main dish. For a creamy and tangy side, consider BBQ coleslaw with a hint of lemon and garlic.
Grilled corn on the cob with salt and olive oil is a simple side dish option as well. And you can never go wrong with a mixed greens salad with a BBQ ranch dressing. You can even add grilled chicken to the salad for your guests who are looking for a lighter main course.
There’s no reason you can’t stick to the BBQ theme when it comes time for dessert. There are many delicious options that are great sweet endings to your New Year’s Eve meal.
If you’re looking for sweet, indulgent and decadent desserts, consider grilled cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing or smoked vanilla bean ice cream with a caramel sauce.
For a light and refreshing option, a fresh fruit salad with a hint of lemon and mint would surely be a hit. Sticking to the fruit options, offer a tray of chocolate-dipped strawberries with a sprinkle of sea salt to add some romance to the night.
Let’s not forget about beverages and cocktails, which should also fit into the overall theme.
A popular trend today is to offer a signature cocktail at events. This could be a sparkling lemonade or BBQ-themed Bloody Mary.
No matter what your signature cocktail is, you want to make sure that you are providing a variety of different drink options — both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions.
This could include a variety of soft drinks, iced tea and juices. You should also have a nice selection of beer and wine for your adult guests who wish to imbibe.
And consider setting up a DIY cocktail bar with mixers and garnishes. Not only is this a fun and personal experience, but it’s an easy one for you as the host, too.
The best New Year’s Eve parties don’t just have great food. They are decorated beautifully, too.
A simple and magical way to decorate your party is following a Winter Wonderland theme. Christmas might be over, but winter is just beginning. So, hang some twinkling lights and snowflakes to create a magical atmosphere.
You can create a photo booth with props and backdrops so your guests can have a fun and memorable experience. Depending on the location of your party, you can hire live music entertainment, or even just put together a fun playlist with upbeat tunes that will keep the party going.
When it comes to the food, consider setting up a DIY BBQ station with a variety of toppings and sauces. This will add a fun and interactive experience to your party.
There’s a lot that goes into a New Year’s Eve party, so creating and sticking to a solid schedule will help you stay on track.
Plan for the party to start around 7 p.m. and last until at least the ball drops at midnight to allow for a full evening of celebration.
While your guests will likely come and go throughout the night, you can schedule your BBQ main dish to be served at 8 p.m. This timing will allow guests to arrive early or later and still have plenty of time to hang out after eating.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a New Year’s Eve party if it didn’t feature a countdown to midnight with noisemakers and a champagne toast, which creates a celebratory and festive atmosphere.
You can throw a New Year’s Eve party on just about any budget — big, small or in between. The important part is not how much you spend, but how well you plan it.
Ensure that your budget includes food, drinks, decorations and music so that you have a well-rounded party. Plan for plenty of seating and tables so guests have a comfortable place not just to eat but to socialize as well.
You are sure to have a lot to do on the night of your New Year’s Eve Party. But, you deserve to have fun and mingle with your guests, too.
So, consider hiring a professional BBQ chef or catering service to take the stress out of cooking and serving the food.
Abbey’s Real Texas BBQ provides delicious and traditional Texas BBQ foods for your event. We even offer catering options that can take all the guesswork and stress out of hosting.To learn more, please contact us today.
