Whether you host an open house or a sit-down event, you’ll love these quick and easy brunch buffet menu ideas fit to feed a crowd.
Whether it’s the holidays, a special occasion like Mother’s or Father’s Day, a family gathering, or another special occasion, it’s easy to make your home the perfect setting for a memorable brunch buffet with family and friends.
Why a brunch buffet? Well, you can’t beat it for its easy setup and take-down.
Guests love brunch buffets because it gives them the opportunity to pick and choose their favorite foods, sweet to savory.
How to Set Up the Perfect Brunch Buffet
If you’ve never hosted a buffet before, you’ll want to know these five important tips. (And, be sure to check out this handy entertaining guide too: Tips for Stress Free Party Planning.)
• Add color. From the flowers to the napkins, infuse your buffet with bursts of color. Not only will it set the mood for your celebration but it will also provide a bit of cohesiveness between your buffet and your dining spaces.
• Think “Flow.” Buffets are meant to help hosts move guests easily through the food line–beginning to end. When planning out your buffet, put yourself in your guest’s place by deciding how best to place the serving trays, drinks and desserts.
I like to set the plates, silverware and napkins at the beginning of the line. Then, I start with the first course, usually, appetizers, next salads, then side dishes, main dishes and finally, the carving table.
In addition, I usually have a separate table for desserts and drinks because most folks will have their hands full with what they’ve gotten from the main buffet table. Once they put down their plates, they can go to either table with ease.
• Label. Add a personal touch to your brunch buffet with handwritten or printed place cards, identifying each food and drink. Doing so, takes the guesswork away from your guests having to figure out what you are serving.
• Flowers. Floral arrangements can easily add a bit of wow to any buffet table. Even so, keep the size and scope of your arrangements within limits, so that they won’t flow into your serving dishes or trays. And, for a natural touch, think greenery or pine boughs to add a bit of cheer to your holiday brunch buffet table.
• Keep it simple. If you want the best brunch buffet ever, keep it simple. This means less more work for you and your guests and will it make your buffet look gorgeous and inviting.
Here are a few more helpful tips how to set up a buffet. (Video)
Tips to Feed a Crowd
Feeding a crowd, large or small, is easy if you know how. I have taken the guesswork out of what to serve by providing a sample brunch buffet menu. (See below.)
And, if you choose one of the recipes here on Wisconsin Homemaker, you’ll find that you can easily change the servings using the handy “servings recipe indicator” located at the top of each recipe card. (See arrow below.)
What this tool does is increase or decrease the ingredients list to match the number of servings accordingly. You’ll find it’s a great help when putting together your shopping list.
Sample Brunch Buffet Menu
Here’s a sample brunch buffet menu to help you plan your next event:
(Note: Click on a link to be taken directly to the recipes of your choice.)
- Brunch Starters Recipes
- Brunch Main Dishes Recipes
- Brunch Carving Station Recipes
- Brunch Side Dishes Recipes
- Brunch Salads Recipes
- Brunch Desserts Recipes
- Brunch Drinks Recipes
- Kid-Friendly Brunch Recipes
Brunch Starters Recipes
Finger foods and light appetizers are perfect starters for a brunch buffet.
1. Holiday Veggie Pizza Wreath
2. Baba Ganoush (Eggplant Hummus)
3. Bacon-Crescent Asparagus Spirals
Brunch Main Dishes Recipes
Mix and match the following breakfast and main dish recipes according to your party type and preference.
5. Cheesy Ham, Egg and Potato Breakfast Casserole
6. 10 Minutes Eggs Benedict Recipe
7. Ham Mushroom and Cheese Quiche
11. Bacon Egg and Cheese Mini Muffin Frittatas
12. Easy Poached Eggs Ramekins
Brunch Carving Station Recipes
Carving stations are a great way to highlight one or two favorite meat recipes. One of my favorite carved meats recipe is my Salt and Herb Crusted Prime Rib Roast, although you can’t go wrong with the following buffet favorites, either.
13. Shredded Pulled Pork – Carnitas
Brunch Side Dishes Recipes
These brunch side dishes are the perfect compliment to your buffet carved meats.
16. Simple Shredded Hash Brown Potatoes
17. Cheesy Farmhouse Hash Browns Recipe
20. Roasted Winter Vegetable Medley
21. Country Baking Powder Skillet Biscuits
22. Sausage Gravy (to go with the Baking Powder Biscuits) (Video)
Brunch Salads Recipes
Add a fresh and healthy touch with these brunch salads recipes that are sure to please even the finickiest of guests.
26. Pan Fried Breakfast Potatoes with Dill
27. Succotash Salad
29. Marinated Romano Bean Salad with Potatoes
30. Caprese Salad
31. Broccoli Slaw with Pineapple and Mandarin Oranges
Brunch Desserts Recipes
A brunch wouldn’t be complete without a decadent dessert display. Here are my favorite:
38. Homemade Granola
39. No-Bake Whipped Chocolate Oreo Cheesecake
40. Annabel Langbein One Pot Spiced Apple Cake
41. No-Bake Cherry Cheesecake Parfait
42. Double Chocolate Quick Bread
Brunch Drinks Recipes
Be sure to provide your guests with ample refreshing signature alcoholic and non-alcoholic brunch drinks.
43. Strawberry Watermelon Smoothie
45. Spa Mojito
46. Frozen Watermelon Margarita
47. Midwestern Rhubarb Margaritas
53. Eggnog Latte
Kid-Friendly Brunch Recipes
Don’t forget the youngest of guests with these kid-friendly brunch recipes.
55. Poached Egg, Ham and Cheese Breakfast Sandwich
56. Easy Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Puffs
57. Cinnamon Brioche French Toast Sticks
58. Creamy Macaroni and Cheese
Want more great entertaining ideas and tips? Be sure to check out these articles:
- New Year’s Eve Party Ideas
- Hot Chocolate Bar Ideas
- Christmas Dinner Menu Ideas
- Oscar Party Ideas
- Best Tapas Party Ideas
Leave a Reply