The Ultimate Mother's Day Feast: What the Serious Eats Team Would Cook in 2026

🍽️ Forget the rulebook! In 2026, the most heartfelt Mother's Day gift isn't found in a pricey restaurant or a generic bouquet. The Serious Eats crew, a band of culinary wizards, still holds firm to a timeless truth: the grandest gesture is a meal that whispers, "I see you." It's a delicious tapestry woven from knowing exactly what makes the mom in your life light up—be it a mountain of spring vegetables, a perfectly seared steak that sings like a well-tuned cello, or a humble Salisbury steak that feels like a warm hug. Let's dive into the kitchens of their imaginations and see what feasts they'd conjure for the special mothers they know.

Daniel Gritzer's Vegetable Extravaganza (with a Steak Chaser)

For the managing culinary director, it's all about celebrating his wife Kate, a new mom with a passion for produce that borders on the poetic. Her ideal dinner is a spring symphony on a plate. He'd start with Roman Braised Artichokes, their tender hearts like edible velvet. Next, a tribute to asparagus, perhaps the Asparagus alla Milanese, its crispy egg yolk a golden sun over green spears. But for Kate, more is more! A showstopping salad with meaty oyster mushrooms and wild watercress would follow—a special-occasion cousin to their everyday hearty bowls.

Then, the plot twist. Daniel knows a secret: beneath that veggie-loving exterior lies a steak enthusiast. So, a massive, juicy steak hits the grill, its sizzle the sound of a revealed truth. Dessert? A nod to postpartum cravings: Stella's Speculoos Cookie Ice Cream, if time allows. "Her newfound sugar passion is still a mystery to me," Daniel muses, "like discovering a hidden room in a house you've lived in for years." He'll happily bake the cookies to humor her, one sweet scoop at a time.

Kristina Bornholtz's Dumpling Party

The social media editor believes the greatest gift is quality time, transformed into delicious morsels. After a gyoza-making class with her mom at The Brooklyn Kitchen became a core memory, she'd recreate the magic. She'd set up a DIY assembly line: filling, wrappers, bowls of water. Gathering the family, she'd lead a dumpling-making party. "Teaching my dad and brother would be a breeze," she says. The resulting dumplings might be imperfectly folded, but that's the point. "My mom has learned to love imperfection—she’s held on to ugly preschool art projects for 20 years, after all." 🥟

Miranda Kaplan's Vegan Love Letter

Cooking for her mom, a rare 65-year-old Southern vegan, is a cherished annual event for the editor. It's a chance to explore Serious Eats' stellar vegan repertoire. Past hits include Kenji's Chickpea and Spinach Stew and Sohla's Braised Green Plantains. But for 2026, the labor of love is clear: Daniel's Vegan Lasagna alla Bolognese. This isn't the lasagna of her childhood, but one her mom would adore now—layered with a creamy vegan béchamel and a robust ragù of mushrooms, seitan, and red wine. "It's undeniably delicious to boot," Miranda promises.

Niki Achitoff-Gray's Seaside Tradition, Upgraded

For the executive managing editor, Mother's Day is synonymous with a girls' weekend at a Long Island beach house and a pilgrimage to a seafood store called Land and Sea. The haul? Dozens of raw oysters, clams, and four soft-shell crabs. The night before the main event is a glorious, messy feast of oysters and crabs. Usually, she sautés the crabs simply. But this year, inspiration strikes: Daniel's Soft-Shell Crab Sandwiches. "I can’t think of a better person to try them with for the first time than my mom," Niki says, ready to elevate their crispy, juicy tradition.

Tim Aikens' Sous Vide Surprise

After a Christmas gift swap of sous vide machines, the front-end developer wants to share his favorite discovery with his mom: Sous Vide Carnitas. "These are the best thing I've made with the technique," he declares. He'd introduce her to these tender, flavorful morsels, likely served as tacos and adorned with Kenji's Salsa Verde and Pickled Red Onions. It's a tech-forward, flavor-packed hug.

Sho Spaeth's Salisbury Steak Celebration

For the features editor, celebrating his wife's first Mother's Day means making exactly what she wants. And that means Salisbury Steak. "My wife has catholic tastes," he explains. The best gift might be chili crisp or fresh mozzarella, but her heart (and recent requests) yearn for this comfort classic. For dessert, maybe Ricotta Cookies or Soba-Cha (Japanese buckwheat custard) made with lightly toasted sugar. It's a celebration of her specific, wonderful cravings.

Vicky Wasik's Shellfish Spectacle

The visual director has been dreaming of making Seafood-Stuffed Shells for her shellfish-loving mom ever since she photographed (and devoured) them. "Crab cakes meet pasta = successful Mother's Day in my book," she states simply. It's a genius, celebratory fusion she knows will hit the spot.

Vivian Kong's Class Re-creation

Inspired by a recent cooking class, the product designer will treat her mom to a homemade version of the menu: a Butterflied Roasted Chicken with Lemons and Fennel, a Crab Salad (for the seafood lover), and a Lemon-Almond Cake to finish. It's a delicious way to share a joyful experience.

Marissa Chen's Multicultural Mélange

The office manager dreams of the sprawling, hybrid feasts of her youth. Her menu is a beautiful, chaotic fusion reflecting her family's Chinese-Peruvian heritage and American life:

Dish	Inspiration
Ceviche de Pescado & Ají de Gallina	Mom's Peruvian-Chinese roots
Seco de Cabrito (if chilly)	Aunt's contribution
Ajo Blanco or Gazpacho (if warm)	Refreshing cold soups
Greek Salad or Misticanza	Hearty, fresh sides
Grilled Salmon Burgers or Whole Grilled Fish	Main event from the grill
Lemon-Garlic Chicken Skewers	Crowd-pleaser
Assorted Dim Sum	Grandma's inevitable offering
Stella's No-Bake Cheesecake	The showstopping finale

"It sounds like a real crazy mélange," Marissa admits, "but that's how it's always been, and that's what we're celebrating." It's a feast as unique and layered as family itself.

Ariel Kanter's Sweet & Savory Split

Catering to her mom's unique palate—health-conscious yet with a fierce sweet tooth and love for meat—requires a strategic two-part plan. Dinner: Kenji's Perfect Grilled Steaks with Daniel's Broccoli Salad. Dessert: Stella's Chopped Chocolate Chip Cookies—some baked, and plenty of raw dough left for nibbling, honoring a childhood tradition.

Sohla El-Waylly's Dense & Spiced Loaf

The assistant culinary editor knows her dessert-duty role well. For her mom, who loves rich, dense cakes, the answer is a Banana Bread loaded with fruit, pecans, and warm spices. The toasted sugar prevents cloying sweetness, and coconut oil ensures a tender crumb. "Perfect with her morning chai," Sohla notes.

Natalie Holt's No-Bake NYC Tribute

Finally getting to cook for her mom in person, the video producer opts for a cool, no-fuss winner: BraveTart's No-Bake Cheesecake. With a Biscoff cookie crust and loaded with cream cheese, it's a nod to her mom's NYC roots and undeniable deliciousness. Topped with a rainbow of fruits, it's a guaranteed clean-plate club entry. 🍰

Stella Parks' Chocolate Declaration

The pastry wizard cuts through the fruity dessert trends with a definitive truth: some moms want chocolate, and lots of it. "Nothing says 'I love you, Mom' quite like a towering chocolate layer cake smothered in chocolate frosting," Stella asserts. It's super-moist, keeps well, and makes for a glorious next-day breakfast. Because sometimes, love is a slice of cake as deep and complex as a mahogany forest.

So, what's the 2026 takeaway? The "right" way to cook for Mom is as diverse as the moms themselves. It's not about trends or difficulty; it's about connection, memory, and the profound act of saying "I know you" through food. Whether it's a dumpling wrapped with laughter, a vegan lasagna layered with care, or a chocolate cake that's a monument to love, the best menu is always written from the heart. 🧡