You want the New Year's table to be festive, delicious, and free from endless chaos on December 31st. The best way to avoid overspending, forgotten ingredients, and five identical cans of corn is to plan the menu in advance, calculate portions, and divide purchases by shelf life.
This article compiles a universal grocery list for New Year 2027. The menu includes familiar classics: Olivier salad, herring under a fur coat, and baked hot dishes. But we've also added more modern dishes that will suit guests with different tastes.
The calculations are based on a home celebration with several appetizers, salads, a hot dish, and dessert. If you're planning a long party or guests are staying overnight, increase the amount of drinks and breakfast items for January 1st.
New Year's Table Menu: Classics and Something New
For a group of 6–10 people, two salads, two or three cold appetizers, one hot dish with a side, and dessert are usually enough. For 15 guests, you can add another salad or a second hot dish—for example, both a meat and a vegetable option.
Olivier Salad with Chicken or Ham
Olivier remains one of the main New Year's salads in Russian-speaking families. Chicken fillet makes the flavor lighter, while ham saves time.
- potatoes;
- carrots;
- eggs;
- pickled or salted cucumbers;
- green peas;
- chicken fillet, ham, or turkey;
- mayonnaise or a mix of mayonnaise with Greek yogurt;
- salt, pepper, fresh herbs.
Herring under a Fur Coat
This salad is convenient to prepare on the evening of December 30th: overnight, the layers will soak, and on December 31st, you'll only need to garnish it with herbs or grated egg.
- lightly salted herring fillet;
- beets;
- potatoes;
- carrots;
- onions;
- eggs;
- mayonnaise.
New Appetizer: Tartlets with Cream Cheese and Fish
Tartlets look elegant, are quick to prepare, and easily scale to any number of guests. Instead of red fish, you can use shrimp, baked chicken, or vegetables.
- ready-made tartlets;
- cream cheese;
- lightly salted red fish;
- cucumber;
- dill;
- lemon;
- capers or red caviar—optional.
Vegetable and Cheese Platter
This is a versatile option for those who don't eat mayonnaise salads, meat, or fish. Assemble the platter right before serving to keep the vegetables fresh.
- cherry tomatoes;
- cucumbers;
- bell peppers;
- grapes;
- olives and black olives;
- hard cheese and soft cheese;
- nuts;
- crackers or baguette.
Hot Dish: Baked Turkey or Chicken Thighs with Vegetables
For a home celebration, it's more convenient to bake portioned pieces of poultry: they're easier to calculate, marinate, and serve. Turkey looks festive, while chicken thighs are a more budget-friendly alternative.
- turkey fillet, drumsticks, or chicken thighs;
- potatoes;
- pumpkin, carrots, or sweet potatoes;
- garlic;
- onions;
- vegetable oil;
- honey, mustard, or soy sauce for the marinade;
- paprika, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper.
Dessert: Tangerines, Cake, and a Light Fruit Option
Don't prepare too many elaborate desserts: after a heavy dinner, guests usually prefer fruit, candies, and a small slice of cake. A good solution is to buy a ready-made cake or cheesecake and complement it with tangerines, grapes, and berries.
- cake, cheesecake, or roll;
- tangerines;
- apples and pears;
- grapes;
- berries—fresh or frozen for serving;
- candies and chocolate.
Calculating Food Quantities for 6, 10, and 15 Guests
The table will help you buy enough food without large leftovers. The weights are approximate for an adult group where several dishes are on the table. For families with children, you can reduce the total volume by 15–20%.
| Product or Dish | 6 Guests | 10 Guests | 15 Guests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olivier salad | 1.2 kg | 2 kg | 3 kg |
| Herring under a fur coat | 1 kg | 1.7 kg | 2.5 kg |
| Meat or poultry for the hot dish | 1.5 kg | 2.5 kg | 3.8 kg |
| Side dish and baked vegetables | 1.5 kg | 2.5 kg | 4 kg |
| Appetizers: cheese, meat, fish | 900 g | 1.5 kg | 2.2 kg |
| Fresh vegetables | 1.2 kg | 2 kg | 3 kg |
| Fruit | 2 kg | 3.5 kg | 5 kg |
| Bread, baguette, crackers | 500 g | 800 g | 1.2 kg |
| Dessert | 1 kg | 1.5 kg | 2.2 kg |
Potatoes for two salads and a side dish should be calculated separately. For 10 guests, you'll need about 4–5 kg of potatoes, 1 kg of carrots, 1.5–2 kg of beets, and 20–24 eggs. If Olivier is the only salad, you can reduce the amount slightly.
Drinks for New Year's Eve
When buying drinks, consider guests' preferences in advance. Not everyone drinks alcohol, so the table should have water, juices, and sugar-free options.
- still water—0.8–1 L per person;
- sparkling water—0.3–0.5 L per person;
- juices, fruit drinks, lemonades—0.7–1 L per person;
- sparkling wine—1 bottle per 3–4 guests;
- wine—1 bottle per 2 guests, if consumed during dinner;
- hard liquor—0.3–0.5 L per person, only for those who choose it;
- tea, coffee, lemon, and mint for late evening.
For a non-alcoholic festive drink, prepare a pitcher: sparkling water, orange juice, tangerine slices, lime, and mint. It looks elegant and suits drivers, children, and guests who don't drink alcohol.
Shopping Plan: What to Buy in Advance and What to Leave for December 29–30
The main rule of New Year's shopping: buy all long-lasting items in advance, and fresh products closer to the holiday. This way, you'll avoid queues, overpaying for the last packages, and discovering on December 31st that the herbs have already wilted.
Two Weeks Before: Frozen Items, Groceries, and Household Goods
- frozen berries, vegetables, shrimp, and appetizer semi-finished products;
- canned goods: green peas, corn, olives, black olives;
- pickled cucumbers;
- vegetable oil, soy sauce, mustard, honey, spices;
- mayonnaise and sauces with a good shelf life;
- grains, nuts, chocolate, candies;
- water, juices, alcohol, and non-alcoholic drinks;
- napkins, candles, disposable containers, foil, parchment paper, trash bags.
One Week Before: Products with a Longer Shelf Life
- potatoes, carrots, beets, onions, garlic;
- apples, pears, citrus fruits;
- hard cheeses in vacuum packaging;
- eggs;
- long-lasting cake or ingredients for a homemade dessert;
- meat and poultry, if you plan to freeze them before cooking;
- herring in packaging and red fish with a suitable expiration date.
December 29–30: All the Freshest Items
- chilled meat, poultry, and fresh fish;
- cream cheese, sour cream, cream;
- fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, salad greens;
- herbs: dill, parsley, green onions, mint;
- bread, baguette, tartlets, crackers;
- soft cheeses;
- grapes, berries, tangerines;
- ready-made fresh cake or dessert.
On December 30th, you can boil vegetables and eggs for salads, marinate poultry, make the fur coat, and prepare the cold cuts. It's better to dress the Olivier salad right before serving or store the dressing separately: this keeps the salad fresh and prevents it from becoming watery.
Consolidated Grocery List by Category
Vegetables and Herbs
- potatoes, carrots, beets, onions, garlic;
- cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers;
- pumpkin or sweet potatoes;
- dill, parsley, green onions, mint;
- lemons and limes.
Meat, Fish, and Eggs
- chicken fillet, ham, or turkey for Olivier;
- turkey or chicken thighs for the hot dish;
- herring;
- lightly salted red fish;
- eggs;
- shrimp—optional.
Dairy Products and Sauces
- mayonnaise;
- cream cheese;
- hard and soft cheese;
- Greek yogurt or sour cream;
- mustard, honey, soy sauce.
Groceries and Snacks
- green peas;
- pickled cucumbers;
- olives, black olives, capers;
- tartlets, baguette, crackers;
- nuts, spices, vegetable oil;
- candies, chocolate.
Fruit, Desserts, and Drinks
- tangerines, apples, pears, grapes, berries;
- cake or cheesecake;
- water, juices, lemonade, tea, coffee;
- sparkling wine, wine, and other drinks according to guests' preferences.
How Not to Forget Half of It: A Shared List with Family
Even a perfect menu won't save you if shopping is spread across multiple chats, notes, and messages like "grab something else for tea." To avoid duplicating products and leaving everything to one person, create a shared list in Pickt.
Share the list with your family: one person takes vegetables and fruit, another takes drinks, a third takes meat, fish, and cheeses. Everyone checks off their part right in the shared list, and the others immediately see what's already been bought.
In Pickt, it's convenient to create separate sections like "In Advance," "One Week Before," "December 29–30," and "December 31." Add comments to items: the needed brand, quantity, store, or purchase time. This way, New Year's preparation becomes a shared task, not a marathon for one person.
Save this grocery list for the 2027 New Year's table, adapt the menu to your guests' tastes, and start shopping early. Then, on the festive evening, the main thing remains: beautifully set the table, turn on the music, and welcome the New Year together.
