9 Elegant Seafood Starters for a Festive New Year's Eve
As the calendar turns and we prepare to welcome a new year, the celebration calls for appetizers that are both sophisticated and easy to enjoy while mingling. Seafood, with its light, luxurious, and festive nature, is the perfect choice for a traditional New Year's Eve spread.
We’ve curated a collection of nine traditional and elegant seafood starters, complete with simple preparation instructions, that will elevate your party from the first toast to the stroke of midnight.
1. Classic Shrimp Cocktail
A timeless favorite that is essential for any traditional holiday gathering, offering a cool, refreshing start to the evening.
Description
Chilled, perfectly cooked jumbo shrimp served around a bowl of tangy, spicy cocktail sauce.
Ingredients
1 lb jumbo shrimp, cooked and peeled (tails on)
1 cup ketchup
2-3 tbsp prepared horseradish (adjust to taste)
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Dash of Worcestershire sauce
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
In a small bowl, whisk together the ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Chill the sauce for at least 30 minutes. Arrange the chilled shrimp around the rim of a platter with the sauce bowl in the center.
2. Smoked Salmon Crostini with Dill Cream Cheese
These bite-sized toasts are quick to assemble and deliver a perfect balance of salty, creamy, and herbaceous flavors.
Description
Crispy baguette slices topped with a rich dill-infused cream cheese and draped with premium smoked salmon.
Ingredients
1 small baguette, sliced diagonally into 1/2-inch pieces
4 oz smoked salmon, thinly sliced
4 oz cream cheese, softened
2 tbsp chopped fresh dill
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Pinch of black pepper
Directions
Toast the baguette slices until light golden and crispy. In a small bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, dill, lemon juice, and pepper until combined. Spread a layer of the cream cheese mixture onto each crostini. Top with a small, folded piece of smoked salmon.
3. Oyster Shooters with Mignonette
A classic, raw preparation that is the epitome of New Year’s elegance—a refreshing burst of flavor.
Description
Freshly shucked oysters served in their shell, lightly dressed with a traditional shallot and vinegar mignonette.
Ingredients
1 dozen fresh oysters, shucked
1/4 cup champagne or white wine vinegar
1 tbsp finely minced shallot
1/2 tsp fresh cracked black pepper
Directions
Combine the vinegar, shallot, and black pepper in a small bowl to make the mignonette. Chill thoroughly. Place the shucked oysters on a bed of crushed ice. Drizzle a small amount of the mignonette over each oyster just before serving.
4. Mini Crab Cakes with Lemon Aioli
Crispy on the outside and tender with sweet crab meat on the inside, these mini cakes are rich and satisfying.
Description
Small, pan-seared crab cakes served with a bright, homemade lemon garlic aioli.
Ingredients
8 oz lump crab meat, picked
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
2 tbsp vegetable oil for cooking
Directions
Gently combine the crab meat, mayonnaise, egg, panko, and Old Bay seasoning. Form into small, uniform patties (about 1.5 inches wide). Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat and cook the crab cakes for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown. Serve warm with lemon aioli.
5. Seared Scallops with Herb Butter
A restaurant-quality starter that is surprisingly simple, focusing on the natural sweetness of the scallops.
Description
Perfectly seared sea scallops with a golden crust, finished with a fragrant, melted herb butter.
Ingredients
1 lb large sea scallops, patted dry
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1 clove garlic, minced
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Season the scallops with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over high heat. Sear the scallops for 2 minutes per side until a deep golden crust forms. Reduce the heat and add the butter, parsley, and garlic. Baste the scallops with the melted butter for 30 seconds before serving immediately.
6. Tuna Tartare Bites
A fresh, vibrant dish with an Asian-inspired dressing, offering a modern twist on raw fish preparation.
Description
Diced raw tuna tossed in a savory dressing, served on a crisp cracker or cucumber slice.
Ingredients
8 oz sushi-grade tuna, finely diced
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger
1 tbsp finely chopped chives
Wonton chips or cucumber slices for serving
Directions
In a bowl, gently mix the diced tuna with the soy sauce, sesame oil, and ginger. Stir in the chives. Chill for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Spoon the tartare onto individual wonton chips or cucumber slices right before serving.
7. Salt Cod Fritters (Bacalhau Pastéis)
A nod to Mediterranean and Latin American New Year traditions, these savory fritters are crispy and light.
Description
Small, fried dumplings made from shredded salt cod and potatoes, seasoned with herbs.
Ingredients
1/2 lb salt cod (bacalhau), rehydrated and flaked
1 large potato, boiled and mashed
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 egg yolk
Vegetable oil for frying
Salt and pepper
Directions
Mix the flaked cod, mashed potato, parsley, and egg yolk in a bowl until just combined. Season lightly. Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C). Drop spoonfuls of the mixture into the hot oil and fry until golden brown and crispy, about 3 minutes. Drain on paper towels and serve warm.
8. Lobster Salad in Endive Cups
A low-carb, elegant starter that highlights the sweet, tender flavor of lobster meat.
Description
Sweet lobster meat tossed in a light, creamy dressing and served in crisp endive leaves for a clean presentation.
Ingredients
8 oz cooked lobster meat, roughly chopped
1/4 cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp finely chopped tarragon
1 head of Belgian endive, separated into leaves
Pinch of cayenne pepper
Directions
In a medium bowl, mix the mayonnaise (or yogurt), lemon juice, tarragon, and cayenne. Gently fold in the chopped lobster meat. Chill the mixture for 20 minutes. Just before serving, spoon the lobster salad into the individual endive leaves.
9. Creamy Smoked Trout Dip
A simple yet highly flavorful dip that pairs wonderfully with crackers or fresh vegetables, providing a rich, smoky taste.
Description
A smooth, smoky spread made from flaked smoked trout, cream cheese, and fresh herbs.
Ingredients
8 oz smoked trout, flaked (bones removed)
8 oz cream cheese, softened
2 tbsp chopped chives
1 tbsp prepared horseradish
1 tsp fresh lemon zest
Crackers or crudités for serving
Directions
In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, flaked smoked trout, chives, horseradish, and lemon zest. Mix until creamy but still slightly chunky. Transfer the dip to a serving bowl. Garnish with a few extra chives and serve immediately with crackers.
