Our best Mother's Day lunch ideas strike the perfect balance between elegance and easy preparation. From salads and sandwiches to frittatas and quiches, these recipes will make Mom's day.

45 Mother’s Day Lunch Ideas Mom Will Love

Egg Salad
Egg salad combines mayonnaise, hard-boiled eggs and seasonings to create a rich filling for sandwiches and wraps. It also tastes fantastic as a topping for green salads, or enjoy it as a snack with crackers.
Cucumber Watermelon Salad
This vibrant salad is incredibly refreshing. If you want to make it more similar to Kate Middleton’s watermelon salad, add avocado and feta cheese to the mix.
Copycat Cheesecake Factory Chicken Piccata
Instead of waiting in a long line for a table at the Cheesecake Factory on Mother’s Day, make the restaurant’s popular dish at home. The velvety butter-and-lemon sauce makes chicken piccata an indulgent and filling hot lunch.
Asparagus Tart
Succulent asparagus is hard to pass up, but the fresh springtime stalks are especially tasty. Buttery puff pastry forms the tart’s light yet stable base, while nutty fontina cheese melts into a creamy topping. Put together, the tart almost tastes like a gourmet pizza.
Smoked Salmon Mousse
Start your Mother’s Day lunch with this elegant finger food, which nestles a blend of smoked salmon and tartar sauce in Belgian endive leaves. For the best flavor, make the mousse on Friday or Saturday and scoop it into the crisp leaves just before Sunday lunch.
Curry Chicken Salad
You can’t go wrong with chicken salad. Our top-rated version gives traditional salad a twist by adding curry powder (but you can always go classic and make chicken salad with grapes instead). Serve the chicken salad with bread and rolls at a sandwich station, fill lettuce cups or serve it atop a green salad. This is a fantastic recipe to make ahead and keep refrigerated until serving.
Strawberry Arugula Salad
Mother’s Day falls during peak strawberry season, so take advantage! Strawberries pair well with peppery arugula and tangy feta. This salad will be a delightful pop of color on your lunch spread.
Chicken Caesar Wrap
Want a more modern take on tea sandwiches? Try these chicken wraps. As a bonus, the chicken can be cooked ahead and slightly reheated (or served cool).
Grilled Romaine Salad
Grilled lettuce might sound like a mistake, but it’s delicious. The grill marks add tasty and smoky flavor, while the lettuce warms and softens just slightly, turning almost silky. This is a perfect appetizer to make if you’re grilling an entree for Mom’s special day.
Crustless Spinach Quiche
Forgot to pick up a pie crust at the store? You won’t need it for this crustless quiche! As a bonus, the quiche is naturally gluten-free.
Baked Salmon Patties
A Mother’s Day entree doesn’t get much simpler than these baked salmon patties. An easy combination of canned salmon, bread crumbs and seasonings is portioned into muffin cups. Then, just bake them for 10 minutes and lunch is served!
Crab and Corn Chowder
Seafood chowder feels both fresh and cozy, which will be just right if Mother’s Day is chilly. This version comes together in under an hour, meaning less time cooking and more time spent with Mom. Serve it with homemade rolls as a finishing touch.
Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus
If you’re grilling lunch for Mom, roll some fresh asparagus spears in bacon strips for a decadent side dish. Asparagus is a delicious spring grilling idea because it gains a delightful charred flavor in about 10 minutes.
Tex-Mex Grain Bowl
If mom wants to enjoy decadent flavors without feeling weighed down, try making this unique Tex-Mex-flavored oatmeal bowl. She and the other guests can top the hearty grains with as much cheese, avocado, black beans, salsa and other garnishes as they like.
Green Bean Salad
Prep this salad in the morning so you can relax with your family before gathering for Mom’s celebratory lunch. The chilled fresh green beans, onions, cherry tomatoes and feta are tossed in a zesty dressing to create a colorful and refreshing side dish.
Tabbouleh
This vibrant bulgar salad combines tomatoes, olive oil and lemon juice with plenty of chopped parsley. For a gluten-free version, try swapping in quinoa to make quinoa tabbouleh.
Sweet Potato Bowl
Celebrate Mother’s Day with a one-bowl meal instead of a full spread. This recipe mixes sweet potatoes with rice, black beans, kale and sweet chili sauce. The filling lunch will see you and Mom through an afternoon of adventures.
Cream of Asparagus Soup
This bright green soup is like an exclamation point for your table. It’s a real celebration of in-season asparagus.
The Best Quiche Lorraine
A vintage-inspired recipe evocative of a department store lunch counter, quiche Lorraine is both elegant and comforting. Even small kids will enjoy the cheesy egg filling speckled with bacon in a flaky pastry crust.
Ambrosia Salad
A five-ingredient, one-bowl recipe that looks super fancy? Count us in! This is a top-rated favorite for good reason. Make sure to prep it ahead so the salad chills and the flavors develop.
Salmon Sliders
Few foods say “party” as boldly as sliders! This is an elevated version that combines salmon with zippy horseradish and panko bread crumbs. Add these sliders to a french fry charcuterie board to really amp up the fun for Mom.
Corn Quesadilla
Vegetables are a fantastic filling for cheesy quesadillas. In addition to corn, try roasted potatoes, broccoli, asparagus or any other favorites. Our recipe calls for flour tortillas, but you can use corn tortillas for a simple gluten-free lunch option.
Thai Salad with Peanut Dressing
Like takeout in a bowl, this Thai salad is admittedly a bit more complex, featuring a homemade dressing that’s a little bit sweet, savory and spicy. This recipe is dairy-free and vegan, and you can easily add crispy tofu to turn it into a main dish.
Cream of Carrot Soup
This vibrant soup delivers a wallop of flavor with minimal effort. If you don’t want to use heavy whipping cream, try making it with coconut milk instead.
Chicken Artichoke Casserole
We love this recipe as a make-ahead potluck dish, but this casserole also makes a perfect lunch when served with a side salad. It’s a fantastic option for the artichoke-loving moms out there!
Sparkling Oranges
Mother’s Day lunch ideas that are simple and elegant? We’ll take them. These sparkling oranges serve as either a fruit salad or a dessert. Plus, the recipe can be prepared ahead of time and garnished before serving.
Tomato Soup
This soup has just enough butter and cream to make it taste indulgent without going overboard. We like making soups for parties, as they almost always taste better if made ahead of time. Serve this one with any of your favorite sides for soup.
Steak Salad
A fresh way to serve a really good steak? Atop a salad. This salad has so many textures and flavors between the cherry tomatoes, radishes, avocados, dried cranberries and (optional) blue cheese crumbles.
Mini Frittatas
Almost infinitely adaptable, these bite-sized frittatas will taste great with just about any protein or veggie you like. Baking them in ramekins makes them easy to serve, but you could also try spooning the egg mixture into muffin cups.
Special Sesame Chicken Salad
This Asian-inspired green salad, dotted with tender orange slices, is sure to go quickly. The dairy-free salad dressing is ideal to pack for a picnic.
Mint-Cucumber Tomato Sandwiches
A slight twist on a tomato sandwich, this simple recipe adds refreshing mint and cucumber to the mix. Slice the vegetables in advance, but assemble the sandwiches shortly before eating so they don’t get soggy.
Chickpea Chicken Salad
This vegan “chicken” salad recipe relies on chickpeas for texture. It’s so flavorful that Mom will love it even if she’s not a plant-based eater!
Broccoli Cheddar Soup
A good choice for those celebrating in colder climates, broccoli cheddar soup is like comfort in a bowl. Serve it with cheese and even croutons sprinkled over the top to fancy it up.
Chicken Florentine Panini
Elevate lunch meat sandwiches by giving them the grilled panini treatment. These are great with your favorite deli meat (ham, turkey or chicken) and any sliced sandwich bread you like.
Luau Pork Lettuce Wraps
Need a Mother’s Day lunch idea to feed a crowd? Make a big batch of this spiced pork, which works equally well in lettuce cups, in pitas, in tacos or atop salads.
Company Fruit Salad
Make this creamy fruit treat the day before and keep it in the fridge overnight. Just about any fruit works well here, but be sure to use a variety of colors for the prettiest impact.
Potato Leek Soup
Potatoes and leeks are a classic combination. This recipe lightens up the rich classic so you can enjoy a bowl or two at lunch without needing an afternoon nap.
Shrimp Tostadas
These festive tostadas capture the bold flavors of southwestern food. A surprising hint of citrus tastes delicious with the shrimp. Serve the tostadas with guacamole, chips and margaritas, and you’re set!
Blackberry Balsamic Spinach Salad
Mom is going to love this beautiful salad packed with superfoods. The best part is that you don’t need to make a fancy dressing from scratch (though you can if you’re feeling fancy!). If you’re not a fan of feta, swap in another crumbly cheese.
Apricot Fluff
Love apricots or peaches? Showcase them with this delicious update to ambrosia, a popular vintage dessert. The fluff does need to chill in the fridge before serving—at least four hours or overnight—so plan accordingly.
Wilted Endive Salad
Endive is a hearty green with a distinctive bitter flavor (in a good way). In this recipe, adding hot ingredients to the bowl wilts the endive a bit, softening it and giving it a sweeter edge.
Grilled Elote Flatbread
Go trendy this Mother’s Day and serve this street food-inspired app. Since the flatbread can cook on the grill as well as under the broiler, it’s adaptable to unexpected weather conditions.
Pulled Turkey Tenderloin
In this sweet and spicy recipe, turkey tenderloins slow-cook in a unique brine made with broth, pickle juice and jalapenos. A creamy yogurt sauce tames the heat, though heat lovers can top their sandwiches with fresh jalapeno slices to add a kick.
Herbed Tuna and White Bean Salad
If you want to upgrade this simple main dish salad, use grilled tuna steaks. Otherwise, good quality canned tuna, tasty olives and a simple homemade dressing make for a light, memorable lunch.
Bok Choy Toss
Grab a bottle of orange ginger vinaigrette and prepare this simple, fresh salad. Bok choy has a refreshing crunchiness that pairs well with juicy tomatoes and summer squash.
Mother’s Day Lunch Ideas FAQs
What easy dishes can I make for lunch for my mom on Mother’s Day?
For easy Mother’s Day lunch ideas, look for recipes that take less than 15 minutes to prepare or are made with few ingredients. Main dish salad recipes are generally speedy lunch options, especially if you chop the ingredients and make the dressing ahead of time.
If you’re looking for hot lunch ideas, look to recipes that can be prepped in advance. Most sandwich, wrap and quesadilla fillings can be made ahead, stored in the fridge and reheated. Alternatively, look to 10-minute meals with quick-cooking meats and veggies, like shrimp quesadillas, vegetable stir-fries, or salmon with spinach and white beans.
What are some brunchy options for Mother’s Day lunch?
When your celebration starts during brunch hours, consider making Mother’s Day brunch recipes for lunch. Add an egg-based dish like a roasted vegetable and chevre quiche. Or, if you don’t want to mess with blind-baking a pie shell, make a bacon and asparagus frittata. It preps in just 10 minutes and bakes in about 15 minutes.
For an egg-free option, try making breakfast ideas without eggs, like breakfast parfaits or BLT muffins. And don’t forget the mimosas or an alcohol-free version made with sparkling apple or grape juice.
Should I serve dessert with Mother’s Day lunch?
Dessert isn’t typically served at lunch, but it’s a sweet surprise for Mom on the day dedicated to celebrating motherhood. If it’s just the two of you, whip up a small-batch Mother’s Day dessert so you don’t end up with leftovers. If the whole family is gathering in her honor, choose a recipe like strawberry cheesecake that can be sliced to order.
For an option that isn’t overly sweet, bake an olive oil cake. Or, spend a little more time in the kitchen for an impressive-looking dessert like a strawberry mascarpone cake or cute bite-sized treats like lemon curd tartlets.