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27 Delicious Mother’s Day Recipe Ideas to Serve for a Luncheon

These tantalizing Mother’s Day recipe ideas are all you need for a delicious menu to celebrate the amazing moms in your life by hosting a luncheon!

How do you celebrate Mother’s Day?

As a mom, I’m in the “I don’t have to cook or clean on Mother’s Day” camp!

I like to sleep in, then have a relaxing breakfast (NOT in bed, please), and then spend the day hanging out with my peeps.

When we used to live in Virginia, we would often celebrate Mother’s Day with my and my husband’s moms, and sometimes my sister too!

I miss being able to spend the day with them, but since moving to North Carolina, it’s generally a day spent with my husband and kids.

We’ve all gone to the mountains for hiking the past few years and our meals have been more picnics than fancy brunches.

While I do love going out to eat, restaurants are so crowded on Mother’s Day.

So I love the idea of a Mother’s Day luncheon at home!

Ideas for Hosting a Mother’s Day Luncheon

White dining table with deep pink hydrangeas in a trencher bowl with baked avocados on the platesfor Mother's Day luncheon.

If you’re fortunate to live close to your mom and/or mother-in-law, having everyone over for a Mother’s Day lunch would be a really special day.

Featuring recipes that are delicious, but also easy to prepare (since my husband and kids are going to be the ones making them… LOL).

AnnMarie shared a super easy tablescape that would be perfect for Mother’s Day!

I love that she used hydrangea plants as the centerpiece.

Because planting flowers is another Mother’s Day weekend activity I’ve enjoyed over the years.

So enjoy a nice meal at a gorgeous table, then head outside and plant those flowers!

Or even send one plant home with each of the moms to plant and enjoy at their homes.

Two avocado halves with hot chicken salad and topped with melted cheddar cheese on a plate with a green salad.

As for what to serve at a spring luncheon, I’ve got some delicious recipe ideas that are really easy to whip up thanks to some of my best blogging friends..

These luncheon recipes would be perfect for a Mother’s Day luncheon!

Or to serve at a lunch with your best girl friends.

In fact, why not consider hosting a luncheon to celebrate all the amazing moms you know the week before or after Mother’s Day?

Welcome to our Virtual Dinner Club!

We joined up with four of our blogging friends to create a virtual dinner club back at the beginning of 2021.

This month, Kate from Southern Home and Hospitality is joining us too.

She’s from Texas and she shares all kinds of great ideas for home decorating, entertaining, and southern recipes.

If you haven’t met her yet, you’re going to love her!

Every month we have a new theme.

We all share ideas for creating a tablescape and recipes for a delicious menu based on our theme.

It’s kind of like a virtual progressive dinner.

We include recipes for a signature cocktail, appetizer, main dish, side dishes, and dessert.

Collage of six recipes to serve for a Mother's Day luncheon.

Take a look at the ideas our friends are sharing today!

Since I love creating simple recipes that fit into the Trim Healthy Mama lifestyle, I’ll be sharing some more ideas for each course of a luncheon.

Be sure to check out all of our virtual dinner club tablescapes and menus!

If you’re new around here, we’re Anne and AnnMarie, two moms who are lucky enough to be besties and neighbors.

simply2moms AnnMarie and Anne Spring 2021

We work together to share simple and budget-friendly ideas for decoratingrecipesDIY projects, and tips for life with older teens (and beyond!).

You can read more about us and our families over here.

And we would love to learn more about you! Be sure to say “hi” in the comments below and tell us where you’re visiting from.

But that’s enough about us!

Let’s take a look at these recipe ideas.

An Easy and Refreshing Sparkling Grapefruit Cocktail | Vintage Home Designs

Overhead view into two clear glasses garnished with lemon and lavender with pink ice cubes shaped like flowers.

We love serving a signature cocktail when we host a luncheon or dinner party.

Wine or beer are always nice, but a cocktail just makes it feel a little special, don’t you think?

Our friend Michele has come up with three variations for a Sparkling Grapefruit Cocktail, including a mocktail option.

Isn’t her grapefruit juice ice cube shaped like a flower such a pretty touch?

If grapefruit isn’t your thing, here are some other ideas you might enjoy.

The Best Creamy Spring Herb Dip | Midwest Life and Style

Divided serving platter with herb dip in the center and cut vegetables surrounding it.

I’m a sucker for a good veggie tray!

Especially if there’s a really tasty dip to go with them.

Our friend Jen is sharing her recipe for a Creamy Spring Herb Dip that is just bursting with fresh herb flavors!

Here are some other appetizer ideas you or the moms in your life may enjoy:

Irresistible Hot Chicken Salad | Simply2Moms

Southern hot chicken salad with bacon topped with melted cheddar cheese and sliced green onions in individual square baking dishes.

When it comes to the main course, you want to serve something that’s delicious that looks a little special.

This Irresistible Hot Chicken Salad is the perfect recipe to serve at a luncheon!

We’ve taken the old Southern recipe and given it a glow up with more veggies, less fat, and some bacon.

Whether you serve it in individual ramekins or bake it inside avocado halves or zucchini boats, this tasty dish will have everyone asking you for the recipe!

Here are some other main dish recipe ideas:

Delicious Beet Salad With Goat Cheese & Fresh Fruit | The Ponds Farmhouse

Platter lined with baby spinach topped with fruit salad with crumbled goat cheese.

No luncheon menu is complete without some tasty side dishes!

Our friend Rachel is sharing her recipe for a Delicious Beet Salad With Goat Cheese & Fresh Fruit.

I absolutely love salads with beets in them and can’t wait to try this one with the addition of those gorgeous fresh berries!

Easy Marinated Shoepeg Corn Vegetable Salad Recipe | Southern Home and Hospitality

Serving bowl filled with marinated shoepeg corn vegetable salad on a wood board with a pink striped napkin.

Our friend Kate is sharing her family recipe for a classic southern side dish: Marinated Shoepeg Corn Vegetable Salad.

The vegetables and pimento are marinated overnight with a sweet and tangy dressing.

I love how easy it is to make, and that it can be made a day or two in advance!

Here are some more side dish recipe ideas you might like:

Semi-Homemade Naked Cake With Flowers | Stacy Ling of Bricks’nBlooms

Clear glass cake stand with a nearly naked cake garnished with edible pansies on a stone wall.

No special luncheon is complete without dessert!

Our friend Stacy has created a beautiful Semi-Homemade Naked Cake With Flowers.

Isn’t it gorgeous?

She’s a master gardener and shares everything you need to know about decorating a cake with flowers.

If you’re looking for a dessert recipe with no added sugar that still tastes decadent, here are some ideas you might like:

If you have any questions or suggestions, contact me or leave a comment!

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Pin it to Remember it!

Kate @ Southern Home and Hospitality

Sunday 30th of April 2023

I can't wait to try some of these recipes, Anne. Everyone brought such good ones! Our Mother's Day dinner has been so much fun - thanks for letting me join in!!

Anne

Sunday 30th of April 2023

There's always so much inspiration every month! It's been a pleasure having you join us.

Jen

Saturday 29th of April 2023

I am so excited to try each of the recipes this month. Yum! And I"m with you in the no cooking camp on Mother's Day. Ha!

Anne

Sunday 30th of April 2023

Everyone brought their A game to the table!

Rachel Harper

Saturday 29th of April 2023

I’m Loving all these yummy recipes.

Anne

Saturday 29th of April 2023

Me too! Now to convince my family to make them for me! LOL