55 Best Mother's Day Dinner Ideas
Skip the restaurant and cook your mom one of these easy meals.
There are so many ways to make moms feel special on Mother's Day. In addition to getting her the perfect Mother's Day gift, whip up a homemade Mother's Day brunch or plan a Mother's Day activity for the whole family. Another special way to celebrate your mom, wife, or any other maternal figure in your life, is with a special Mother's Day dinner. We've rounded up plenty of easy recipes and ideas to make sure it's a meal she'll love.
Whether you're a pro in the kitchen or a total beginner, there's sure to be a Mother's Day dinner idea here that suits your needs. And if your guest of honor has dietary restrictions, no sweat! Plenty of these recipes are or can be modified to be vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, keto-friendly and more. She'll appreciate you going the extra mile to find a meal that's not only delicious, but meets her food needs. And if you really want to take things up a notch, you can have a fresh batch of Mother's Day cookies or another special Mother's Day dessert ready to go.
And if things don't go according to plan in the kitchen, don't worry: we've also got a list of restaurants open for takeout on Mother's Day!
Steak, Peach, and Watercress Salad
This elegant, flavorful salad brings together hearty bites of steak, juicy peaches, peppery watercress and creamy blue cheese. Mom is sure to love it.
Cherry Bourbon-Glazed Ham
Celebrate Mom with this showstopper of a main: baked ham coated in a unique tangy-sweet glaze made with tart cherry juice, cherry jam, and bourbon.
Get the Cherry Bourbon-Glazed Ham recipe.
Saucy Sausage Meatballs
These meatballs get an extra boost thanks to the grated provolone, cinnamon and orange zest. Pile them atop a plate of spaghetti for a classic meal for Mother's Day or get some bread to make meatball sandwiches.
Get the Saucy Sausage Meatballs recipe.
Adobo Glazed Portobello Tacos
These smoky-sweet vegetarian tacos + a margarita = a Mother's Day dinner she's guaranteed to enjoy.
Get the Adobo Glazed Portobello Tacos recipe.
Chicken with Stewed Peppers and Tomatoes
This bright one-pot meal brings together paprika-rubbed chicken, onions, peppers, and tomatoes, all topped with parsley and sliced almonds.
Chicken Satay with Spiralized-Carrot Salad
We can't get enough of spiralized veggies, and this bright carrot salad accompanying chicken satay is no exception!
Get the Chicken Satay with Spiralized-Carrot Salad recipe.
RELATED: 35 Low-Calorie Zucchini Noodle Recipes That Will Make You a Forever Fan of Zoodles
Lemony Garlic and Herb Pork Tenderloin
Serve up this herb and garlic pork tenderloin to really wow Mom on her special day.
Polenta with Mushrooms
This creamy polenta topped with garlic and chile mushrooms is a hearty vegetarian option perfect for your main course.
Get the Polenta with Mushrooms recipe.
Fennel Roasted Chicken and Peppers
This veggie-packed dish is a hearty and colorful centerpiece for your celebration dinner.
Instant Pot Beef Curry
All you need is an instant pot and five ingredients to make this flavorful and satisfying curry.
Get the Instant Pot Beef Curry recipe.
Vegan Bolognese
Calling all vegan moms! This bolognese is loaded with meat alternatives like flavorful mushrooms and protein-rich lentils that will satisfy meat-lovers and vegetarians alike.
Get the Vegan Bolognese recipe.
RELATED: 70 Vegan Recipes so Good, You'll Forget About Meat and Cheese
Tandoori Chicken
Try this Indian-inspired dish in the air fryer for an easy, healthy and mouthwatering meal.
Get the Tandoori Chicken recipe.
Honey Glazed Salmon
Pair this sweet honey salmon with crunchy cucumbers for a healthy and satisfying contrast.
Get the Honey Glazed Salmon recipe.
Linguine with Tuna and Chiles
Your favorite pasta is loaded with veggies, including zucchini and mushrooms. The tuna and chiles punch up the flavor big time.
Get the Linguine with Tuna and Chiles recipe.
Lemony Brussels Sprout Salad
Smoked almonds and dry cranberries top this Brussels sprout salad. It's a perfect side to any dish, but particularly good if someone is following a keto diet.
Get the Lemony Brussels Sprout Salad recipe.
Vegetable Paella
Although traditionally made with meat or seafood, Mom will enjoy the crisp and fresh flavor of the veggies, including green beans, red peppers and tomato.
Get the Vegetable Paella recipe.
Mushroom and Brussels Sprouts Pizza
Mother's Day is no ordinary day, so don't settle for an ordinary pizza. Kick things up a notch by making this mushroom and Brussels sprouts pizza, that's top with rich and creamy fontina cheese.
Shakshuka
Eggs can be enjoyed anytime of the day, including dinner. This classic (and truly delicious) shakshuka dish can be made in just 40 minutes.
Get the Shakshuka recipe.
Korean Pineapple Beef Lettuce Wraps
Making these wraps is easy as can be — all you've got to do is cook your steak and arrange the meat on lettuce leaves with rice, scallions, and peanuts (which is half the fun!).
Get the Korean Pineapple Beef Lettuce Wraps recipe.
RELATED: 83 Steak Recipes That Make Dinner at Home Feel Extra Fancy
Roasted Salmon with Crispy Potatoes and Broccoli
Just one pan and your done! This meal consists of juicy salmon with crispy potatoes and broccoli, plus a mayonnaise, lemon juice, and garlic dip.
Get the Roasted Salmon with Crispy Potatoes and Broccoli recipe.
Trish (she/her) is the deputy food editor at Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things food, from cooking trends and delicious recipes to top-tested kitchen products and grocery finds. She has more than a decade of experience writing about food for GH, Women’s Health, Prevention, Redbook, Woman’s Day, The Daily Meal and Food Network. When she’s not at the supermarket or trying out a new recipe, you can find her at the beach, in her backyard or on the couch — typically with a glass of wine in hand.
Jamie Ballard (she/her) is a freelance writer and editor who covers news, lifestyle, and entertainment topics, including sex and relationships, TV, movies, books, health, pets, food and drinks, pop culture, shopping, and personal finance. She regularly contributes to Cosmopolitan, Woman’s Day, Good Housekeeping, and YouGov, among other publications. When she’s not working, you can find her running, traveling, or scrolling TikTok. Follow her on Twitter.
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