Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate Mom than with a delightful lunch you’ve made yourself? Although this may sound daunting, we’ve got some tasty meal ideas for a memorable lunch that won’t require hours in the kitchen beforehand.
To make things even easier, we’ve based each meal idea on one of our Chopped Salad Kits, which have already been washed and prepped, saving you yet another step.
Here are five easy Mother’s Day lunches you can put together in less than 90 minutes, each with a salad, side, main course, and dessert!
Meal Idea #1: Opa! A Culinary Trip to Greece
Salad: Mediterranean Crunch Chopped Salad Kit
Our beloved Mediterranean Crunch Chopped Salad Kit features a blend of radicchio, escarole, endive, and broccoli that’s topped with creamy feta cheese, crunchy pita-style chips, and a fragrant basil balsamic vinaigrette. And it’s the perfect salad to start this Greek-inspired lunch loaded with bright, fresh flavors.
Main Course: Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken
Marinate chicken breasts or thighs in a mixture of lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and your favorite Mediterranean herbs. Grill until cooked through (165°F). If you like it extra lemon-y, serve with lemon wedges and squeeze more on top, as desired!
Side: Roasted Garlic Hummus with Pita Bread
Serve creamy, roasted garlic hummus with warm, fluffy pita bread for dipping. Sprinkle with a dash of paprika for extra flavor and a bit more visual appeal.
Dessert: Fresh Fruit Platter
Fresh fruit is great with Greek-inspired meals — plus, it’s incredibly easy to put together. Simply arrange a colorful assortment of seasonal fruits like strawberries, pineapple, grapes, and melon on a platter for a refreshing dessert!
Meal Idea #2: Zesty Southwest Flavor Adventure
Salad: Avocado Ranch Chopped Salad Kit
Start off your Mother’s Day lunch meal with this zesty Avocado Ranch Chopped salad featuring a mix of crisp romaine, cabbage, carrots, and green onions, all covered in creamy Avocado Ranch Dressing and topped with crunchy corn and taco-seasoned cheese.
Main Course: Grilled Shrimp Skewers
Thread large shrimp onto skewers, brush with olive oil, and season with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lime juice. Grill until the shrimp look pink and are slightly charred.
Side: Corn and Black Bean Salad
Don’t worry; we’re not actually sticking you with two green salads for this meal. This “salad” combines cooked corn kernels, black beans, diced red onion, cherry tomatoes, and chopped cilantro. Dress it up with a mixture of lime juice, olive oil, and a pinch of cumin, salt, & pepper, and you’re all set. Use roasted corn for an added depth of flavor, and feel free to add some avocado if you have some on hand.
Dessert: Lemon Berry Parfait
Layer lemon-flavored yogurt in small glasses with fresh berries and granola for a light, easy, and refreshing dessert that’s as pretty as it is tasty.
Meal Idea #3: Maple Bourbon Bliss
Salad: Our Maple Bourbon Bacon Chopped Salad Kit makes it easy to indulge in the rich fusion of smoky, savory, and just a little bit of sweet. The crisp combination of romaine, broccoli, cabbage, green onion, and carrot is adorned with crispy honey almonds, bacon bits, and our renowned Bacon Bourbon Vinaigrette dressing.
Main Course: Bourbon Glazed Pork Tenderloin
Why not keep the bourbon theme rolling? Whisk together bourbon, maple syrup, soy sauce, and Dijon mustard to make a flavorful glaze for pork tenderloin. Roast in the oven until caramelized and tender. Many grocery stores have pre-marinated bourbon-glazed and smoked pork tenderloin available if you don’t want to worry about making your own glaze.
Side: Grilled Asparagus with Lemon Zest
Toss fresh asparagus spears with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Grill or sauté until tender-crisp, then sprinkle with lemon zest just before serving.
Dessert: Mini Berry Tarts
Fill pre-made tart shells with a mixture of sweetened cream cheese and top with fresh berries for an elegant and effortless dessert.
Meal Idea #4: Sweet Kale Serenity
Salad: Perfect for spring, our Sweet Kale Chopped Salad Kit offers a robust blend of fresh broccoli, Brussels sprouts, radicchio, and kale, generously garnished with cranberries and pumpkin seeds and covered in our Creamy Poppyseed Dressing.
Main Course: Honey Mustard Glazed Salmon
The sweet/savory combination of honey mustard is a natural pairing to the flavors of your Sweet Kale salad. Brush salmon filets with a combination of honey, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic, then bake until flaky & golden brown. That’s it!
Side: Sautéed Garlic Green Beans
Quickly sauté fresh green beans in olive oil with minced garlic until tender-crisp. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Dessert: Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake
Bake a moist and zesty lemon bundt cake studded with juicy blueberries and topped with a simple sugar glaze (milk powdered sugar, vanilla extract) for a showstopping ending to the meal. If you use a box mix and a square pan instead, we won’t tell, and Mom will still be delighted.
Meal Idea #5: Classic Caesar Elegance
Salad: Sometimes nothing beats a classic Caesar salad. Our Caesar Salad Chopped Salad Kit keeps things simple with its traditional blend of crispy romaine lettuce, shredded parmesan cheese, crunchy garlic and cheese crouton crumbles, and our creamy Caesar dressing.
Main Course: Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken
Marinate chicken breasts or thighs in lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and your favorite herbs like rosemary and thyme. Grill until cooked through and juicy. If you prefer steak, substitute it in place of the chicken with your favorite cut — like a New York Strip or ribeye — with your choice of seasoning rub.
Side: Garlic Breadsticks
Bake store-bought or homemade breadsticks brushed with garlic butter until golden brown and fragrant.
Dessert: Strawberry Shortcake Cups
Layer sliced strawberries, whipped cream, and cubes of angel food cake in individual cups for a simple yet delightful dessert that’s sure to impress.
With these easy Mother’s Day lunch ideas, you can create a memorable and delicious lunch without breaking a sweat, giving you more time to enjoy with your family at the table. By all means, feel free to switch things up and swap in some of her favorite dishes or anything else you’d like to include to make her smile. Cheers to all the moms and Happy Mother’s Day!