TOP-5 Dishes to Celebrate the New Year of the Red Fire Horse 2026

The New Year of the Red Fire Horse 2026 is a great reason to set the table so that it looks beautiful, satisfying and symbolically meaningful. The Horse favors simple, natural food that gives energy, while the Fire element adds bright colors, spices and warm flavors to the menu. Below are five dishes that are perfect for a New Year’s table in honor of the Fire Horse and fit nicely into a home food blog format.

1. Roast Beef with Vegetables and Herbs

A juicy piece of roasted beef is a symbol of strength, stability and abundance, while baked vegetables add color and lightness to the dish. It’s an ideal New Year’s main course: it looks impressive, requires no complicated techniques and goes well with almost any side dish.

Ingredients

• beef roasting joint or tenderloin — 1–1.5 kg;
• olive oil — 3–4 tbsp;
• garlic — 4–5 cloves;
• mixed pepper, salt — to taste;
• dried herbs: rosemary, thyme, oregano — 0.5–1 tsp each;
• carrots, potatoes, sweet pepper, red onion — as desired for roasting.

How to make it

1. Pat the meat dry, rub with salt, pepper, minced garlic and herbs, drizzle with olive oil and leave to marinate for at least 1 hour (ideally overnight in the fridge).
2. Cut the vegetables into large chunks, toss with a little oil, salt and pepper, then spread them in a baking dish.
3. Place the meat on top of the vegetables and roast at 190–200 °C until the desired doneness (on average 40–60 minutes, depending on the thickness of the cut).
4. Cover the cooked meat loosely with foil and let it rest for 10–15 minutes, then slice and serve with the roasted vegetables.

2. Festive Pilaf or Bulgur with Vegetables, Pomegranate and Nuts

Grains are one of the best symbols of abundance and stability, and for the Horse, associated with fields and open spaces, dishes made from grains are especially appropriate. A colorful pilaf or bulgur with vegetables, pomegranate and nuts looks festive and works well both for meat-eaters and in a vegetarian format.

Ingredients

• rice for pilaf or bulgur — 300–400 g;
• onion and carrot — 1–2 each;
• bell pepper — 1–2 pcs.;
• vegetable oil or ghee — 3–4 tbsp;
• pomegranate seeds — from 1 small pomegranate;
• walnuts or almonds — 50–70 g;
• spices: cumin, turmeric, paprika, salt, pepper — to taste.

How to make it

1. Rinse the grain until the water runs clear, and if needed, soak for 20–30 minutes.
2. Chop the onion, carrot and pepper, sauté in a deep pan or pot with oil until soft, add the spices and cook for another 1–2 minutes.
3. Add the grain, pour in hot water or broth (about 1:2), season with salt, bring to a boil and simmer covered until the grain is cooked.
4. Gently fluff the finished dish, mix in some of the pomegranate seeds and nuts, and use the rest to garnish just before serving.

3. Warm Salad with Roasted Pumpkin, Beetroot and Cheese

In the year of the Fire Horse, warm, “earthy” dishes with bright colors and natural products feel especially right. A warm salad with pumpkin, beetroot and goat cheese or feta brings together the sweetness of roasted vegetables, the light saltiness of the cheese and the freshness of greens, and looks very festive on the table.

Ingredients

• pumpkin — 300–400 g;
• beetroot — 2–3 small roots;
• feta or soft goat cheese — 100–150 g;
• salad leaves, arugula or spinach — a handful as a base;
• olive oil — 2–3 tbsp;
• balsamic vinegar or lemon juice — 1–2 tbsp;
• honey — 1 tsp, optional;
• nuts or seeds (walnuts, pine nuts, pumpkin seeds) — 30–40 g.

How to make it

1. Cut the beetroot and pumpkin into cubes, drizzle with oil, season with salt and, if you like, thyme, then roast at 190 °C until tender.
2. Arrange the salad leaves on a serving plate, top with the warm pumpkin and beetroot.
3. Crumble or cube the cheese and add it to the vegetables.
4. Mix olive oil with vinegar or lemon juice, honey, a pinch of salt and pepper, and drizzle the salad with this dressing.
5. Sprinkle with nuts or seeds and serve immediately while the salad is still warm.

4. Asian Noodles with Chicken (or Tofu) and Vegetables

In Asian tradition, noodles symbolize good luck, one’s life path and longevity, and for the active Horse they are also the perfect “fuel” for moving forward. This dish is easy to adapt: you can serve individual portions or bring one big dish to the center of the table.

Ingredients

• wheat, egg or rice noodles — 250–300 g;
• chicken fillet or tofu — 300–400 g;
• bell pepper, carrot, green beans, broccoli — to taste;
• soy sauce — 3–4 tbsp;
• vegetable oil — 2–3 tbsp;
• garlic and ginger — 1–2 cloves/pieces each;
• sesame seeds, spring onion, chili — optional for serving.

How to make it

1. Cook the noodles according to the package instructions, then rinse under cold water to prevent sticking.
2. Slice the chicken or tofu into strips, stir-fry over high heat until golden and set aside.
3. Cut the vegetables into thin strips, quickly stir-fry in a hot pan or wok with garlic and ginger.
4. Return the chicken or tofu to the pan, add the noodles, pour in the soy sauce and, if desired, a little honey or chili sauce, then toss everything together over high heat.
5. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped spring onion before serving.

5. Citrus Dessert: Mandarin Tart or Cake

Mandarins and oranges are a New Year’s classic and a powerful symbol of good luck, sunshine and warmth. A light citrus dessert is a perfect finale for the festive menu: it’s not too heavy, adds freshness and supports the fiery color palette of the year.

Ingredients (basic tart version)

• shortcrust pastry (homemade or ready-made) — for a 22–24 cm tart tin;
• cream 20–30 % — 200 ml;
• eggs — 3 pcs.;
• sugar — 100–120 g;
• juice and zest of orange or mandarin — to taste;
• mandarin segments — for decoration.

How to make it

1. Roll out the pastry, line the tart tin, prick the base with a fork and blind-bake for 10–15 minutes at 180 °C.
2. Whisk together the cream, eggs, sugar, citrus juice and zest until smooth.
3. Pour the filling onto the partially baked base and bake for another 20–25 minutes until the custard is set.
4. Let the tart cool, decorate with mandarin segments and, if you like, dust with icing sugar.

To celebrate the New Year of the Red Fire Horse 2026, you don’t have to chase complicated recipes — what matters most is the atmosphere, symbolism and your mood. Roast meat with vegetables, a grain-based dish, a warm salad, fragrant noodles and a citrus dessert will create a balance of heartiness and lightness on the table, while bright fiery accents in the presentation will make the evening truly special.