Recipes for an Old Fashioned Luncheon
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These luncheon recipes are elegant enough for special occasions or just to have some friends over. Create a pretty table setting with a lunch menu.
I don’t know about you, but when the weather is nice, I just want to get out some nice dishes and linens and have an old-fashioned ladies’ luncheon on the porch or outdoors.
A lunch party is a great way to celebrate with friends and family. But what do you serve? I have a few luncheon recipe ideas that are perfect for entertaining! From appetizers to main dishes, and sweet desserts!
I went through some of my really old hometown cookbooks to find some recipe ideas which are perfect to use for your next luncheon, baby, or wedding shower you may have scheduled.
Main Dish
One of my favorite dishes to make for a luncheon is quiche. You can serve it as individual quiches or make a few pie pan versions and serve pie slices. Quiches are simple to make with simple ingredients.
Pie Pans & Ramekin resources
Fluted Ceramic Pie Pan | Deep Dish Pie Pan with Lace Emboss | Spring Oval Porcelain Ramekins | Individual Fluted Ramekins
tea Sandwiches
What are tea sandwiches? Tea sandwiches (also called finger sandwiches) are small sandwiches made to be eaten in 2-3 bites with your hands. The perfect size to be able to offer more than one kind of sandwich for your guests to try. These are normally served on crustless bread by using cookie cutters.
- Cucumber Sandwiches
- Easy Ham & Cheese Tea Sandwiches
- Masters Egg Salad Recipe
- Old-Fashioned Southern Pimento Cheese
cookie cutter resources
10 Piece Cookie Cutter Set | Round Biscuit Cutters | Square Cookie Cutters | Party Toothpicks | Long Rectangle Serving Trays
Salads
Salads seem to be a must to serve at any luncheon. So many folks like to eat lite and a cold salad is a great choice. Salads are a great choice because you can make them ahead so that you can take care of other items which need to be done on the day of the party.
salad making resources
Ceramic Salad Bowl | Wooden Salad Bowl Set | Salad Utensils | Salad Spinner
Appetizers
I love serving appetizers at parties. They are easy to make and actually, you could make a whole luncheon out of appetizers. That way your guests would have so many items to choose from. Make them ahead and store them in the fridge until party day.
- Easy Prosciutto Wrapped Pears with Arugula
- Deviled Eggs & Variations
- Pesto Pinwheels with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto
- Million Dollar Dip (A Favorite)
appetizer resources
Ceramic Dip Platter | Wood Deviled Egg Tray | 3-Section Serving Trays
drinks
Drinks could be basically anything, but for a luncheon, you would want to keep the drinks light. I love to serve fruity-style drinks for this occasion. And of course, you can have alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Just be sure to label them as such.
drinks resources
Beverage Dispenser | Champaign Glasses | Tall Spoons | Cocktail Glasses | Cocktail Napkins | Pitcher
desserts
Bite-sized desserts are a perfect choice for a luncheon. They could be basically anything, just served in smaller portions.
- Easy Oreo Truffles
- 3 Ingredient Brownie Mix Cherry Brownies
- Mini Cheesecakes
- Strawberry Shortcake Trifles
dessert serving resources
tablescapes
There is so much you can do to set a beautiful table whether you have fine china or paper plates. Tons out there to choose from and there really is no right or wrong when it comes to setting a table.
If you have china, silverware, and crystal. Use it! Especially if it’s an adult luncheon and you don’t have to worry about the kids breaking anything. There are so many ways to use fine china today. You don’t have to be traditional for sure anymore. I love the use of rattan placemats, china, and linen napkins in the tablescape above. All different textures on that table.
If you love the traditional look, put it all out there. Beautiful crystal, china, and lovely blue and white vases with that touch of yellow in the tulips. And stack those plates for each setting.
This is something I have yet to try but love it!! Mix and match all your place settings, crystal, and silverware sets. Isn’t this gorgeous and so fun?! If you don’t have different sets of china, then start collecting pieces from thrift or antique stores until you get enough settings for your table. I see so much china when I go out junking now. It would also be fun to display too.
Don’t have china? Then check out these paper plates and napkins! There are so many beautiful sets out there that are a fraction of the cost of real china and flatware. They are really hard to tell the difference. Kate Aspen makes some really beautiful patterns to choose from.
- Floral Party Supplies Paper Plates
- Vintage Floral Paper Tea Cups and Saucer Sets
- Gold Plastic Silverware Set
- Kate Aspen 9 in. Premium Paper Plates
- Vintage Paper Floral Tea Cups and Saucer Sets
free recipe cards
Looking for recipe cards? Download 2-4×6 cards for recipe boxes or 1-8×10 card for a recipe notebook.
Set your printer for an 8×10 size and print on thick card stock.
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Such a fun and unique idea for a luncheon. Certainly original! All great ideas for recipes.
Oooh those pictures of your quiche and strawberry trifle look so yummy!! I love this idea of an old fashioned luncheon and you share amazing recipes!
WOW, it’s been soooo long since I did a luncheon! I love your ideas and the table setting is so pretty. I can’t wait for some nice weather; I would love to have a nice luncheon with some of these recipe ideas.
This would be so awesome to attend! I would never want to throw one but I’d love to go to a luncheon like this.
I do love cucumber sandwiches and quice. These recipes will come in handy for my next ladies’ event
Thank you for sharing these recipes for an old-fashioned luncheon! It’s always great to have new ideas for entertaining guests, and these recipes seem both delicious and charming.
I love this. You’ve got some great ideas for a luncheon. I love being able to host, so having some nice foods and recipes is always great.
Everything looks amazing. I would love to do something like this.
This is a perfection selection of goodies for any gathering and I always love a delicious quiche! I also love the tea sandwiches and go with my mother in law to a local place that serves them and they are delicious!
These are perfect for Mother’s Day. I’ll have to make these for Mother’s Day for myself.
Oh my, these are amazing recipes, they all look amazingly delicious and very enticing too! Love to try them all!
I love the little tea sandwiches and pinwheels! Something very comforting in old fashioned luncheons.
Old fashioned has such a nice ring to it (to me) when it comes to a luncheon. It evokes good memories when my gram would take care to do a nice luncheon for family and friends.
These are all really great and interesting recipes that I need to try! Thanks for sharing
Wow! What a really nice recipes you have here! I’m also going to share this with my sister
Oh, I really need to do something like this! I love the little sandwiches idea especially.