A collection of Chinese New Year recipes for the upcoming Year of the Horse. Each recipe includes make-ahead tips.
The Year of the Horse 🐎 (马年) is fast approaching! In 2026, the Chinese Lunar New Year falls on Tuesday, February 17, and the celebration lasts at least 15 days. To help you prepare for celebratory meals, I’ve curated 30 popular recipes for this most important occasion.
Each recipe below includes detailed instructions, cooking tips and substitute ideas. Many of them come with tutorial videos. To ease the pressure on the day, I also provide make-ahead tips where possible.
- For more inspiration, explore all 112 Chinese New Year Recipes, organized by category
- For help with menu design and planning, check out my guide on How to Nail a Multi-Dish Feast
Chinese Dumplings
An indispensable New Year dish for many Chinese families, dumplings taste wonderful when made from scratch. Check out the Dumpling Recipe Collection or learn different aspects in detail:
- How to Make Dumpling Wrappers From Scratch
- How to Make Great Dumpling Fillings
- Ten Ways to Fold Dumplings
- Cook Dumplings in Three Ways: Boil, Pan-fry & Steam
- Six Dipping Sauce for Dumplings
🛎 Make ahead: Uncooked dumplings freeze well. Cook the usual way without defrosting.