Learn these Beltane recipes as we embark on a culinary adventure into this lively, ancient Celtic celebration!
Beltane, also known as May Day, is a vibrant and lively pagan festival celebrated on the first of May. It marks the beginning of the summer season.
This ancient Celtic tradition is observed with a variety of customs and rituals. These include lighting bonfires, dancing around the Maypole, and crowning the May Queen.
And what’s a celebration without food, right? Beltane recipes are all about tasty seasonal ingredients that honor the earth’s fertility and the fire element.
Look forward to delicious honey cakes, bannocks, and other scrumptious treats that perfectly capture the essence of Beltane!
1. Bannocks
Bannocks are a traditional flatbread with a special place in Beltane celebrations. They represent the earth’s abundance and the spirit of togetherness.
These delicious breads are prepared using wholesome ingredients like oat flour, all-purpose flour, and melted butter.
This combination gives the bread a unique character, with the oat flour’s subtle nuttiness complementing the butter.
These delicious breads are perfect for sharing with loved ones, creating cherished memories around the flavors of the season.
2. Simple Mead
Mead, often referred to as the “nectar of the gods,” is a honey-based fermented beverage with a long history in Beltane.
It represents the sweetness and vitality of life, making it a fitting drink to toast the arrival of the warmer months.
Served during Beltane gatherings, mead not only quenches thirst but strengthens the bonds among participants as well.
3. Sour Cream and Dill Potato Salad
This mouthwatering sour cream and potato salad is perfect for Beltane, celebrating the season’s freshness and vibrancy.
Featuring tender new potatoes, zesty spring onions, and garlic, it’s enriched with a creamy base of sour cream and mayonnaise. Pimentos, fresh parsley, and dill add color and flavor, symbolizing renewal and growth.
This delectable salad embodies Beltane’s spirit of abundance, making it an ideal dish for the festive gathering.
4. Colcannon
Colcannon is a traditional Irish dish made of creamy mashed potatoes mixed with cabbage or kale, and often onions or leeks.
It’s ideal for Beltane due to its earthy ingredients, symbolizing fertility and the season’s abundance.
The combination of flavors and greens makes colcannon a perfect dish for celebrating the vibrant energy that Beltane brings.
5. Herb Compound Butter
Making herb compound butter for Beltane is a fantastic way to celebrate the season’s fresh flavors.
This recipe offers four enticing varieties to choose from: garlic chive dill, lemon thyme, honey rosemary sage, and sun-dried tomato basil.
These versatile compound butters enhance the taste of your Beltane meals. And they also pay homage to the bountiful spirit of May Day.
6. Eggs in Purgatory
Eggs in Purgatory is a one-skillet meal featuring poached eggs in spicy tomato sauce.
It’s an ideal choice for Beltane as the eggs symbolize rebirth and fertility. The fiery sauce embodies the warmth and energy of the season, as well.
7. Buffalo Chicken Soup
Spice up your Beltane feast with a scrumptious buffalo chicken soup!
This creamy, flavor-packed dish honors the celebration’s sacred ingredients like butter and milk. The tender chicken connects to the livestock featured in Beltane festivities.
It’s a fun, unconventional choice that’ll warm your belly and add some excitement to your gathering.
8. Jalapeno Poppers
These irresistible jalapeno poppers are the ultimate party pleasers! They have an addictive combo of fiery jalapenos, luscious cream cheese, and sharp cheddar. It creates a flavor explosion that’ll keep you coming back for more.
The kick of garlic powder, fresh chives, and crispy Panko bread crumbs make them simply divine.
Perfect for Beltane, these poppers embody the festival’s fiery spirit, and their rich, creamy filling honors the sacredness of dairy.
9. Buffalo Deviled Eggs
These buffalo deviled eggs are a scrumptious twist on a classic. They feature a creamy yolk filling. It’s fired up with hot sauce and topped with crispy celery and tangy blue cheese.
They’re irresistibly good, thanks to their perfect harmony of heat, creaminess, and crunch.
Serving them for Beltane is a brilliant idea. Eggs symbolize fertility, and their fiery kick captures the lively spirit of the festival.
10. Lavender Cake
This heavenly cake features a classic white cake infused with lavender milk. It’s covered in a whipped lavender cream cheese buttercream frosting.
Lavender, symbolizing love, beauty, and the power of nature, makes this cake the perfect ode to Beltane’s magic.
11. Garlic Rosemary Herb Focaccia
Bread is a must-have dish in any Beltane feast. If you’re looking for a recipe, this one won’t disappoint.
This garlic rosemary herb focaccia has a chewy, soft center and a mega-crisp exterior that’s simply irresistible.
The fragrant aroma of rosemary and garlic adds to its charm, perfectly capturing the freshness and vitality of the season.
12. Rosemary Sea Salt Sweet Potato Rolls
Here’s another mouthwatering bread recipe that’s perfect for Beltane: rosemary sea salt sweet potato rolls!
These soft, fluffy rolls are infused with the delightful flavors of rosemary. They’re topped with a delectable sea salt honey butter. It’s the perfect blend of sweet and savory.
Sweet potato adds to the richness and texture of these rolls, making them an ideal addition to your Beltane celebration.
13. Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies
For dessert, satisfy your sweet tooth with these mint chocolate chip cookies.
These big, soft cookies are packed with Andes mint candies, mint chips, and chocolate chips. Without a doubt, every bite delivers a delectable blend of mint and chocolate.
Mint symbolizes renewal, growth, and abundance. This is all the more reason you should serve these cookies at Beltane.
14. Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells
Treat yourself to the ultimate comfort food with these spinach ricotta stuffed shells. They’re a perfect choice for any special occasion, including Beltane festivities.
Jumbo shells are stuffed with a creamy blend of ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses, and sautéed spinach. They’re then topped with marinara sauce.
With every bite, savor the richness of the cheese filling and the fresh taste of spinach. It perfectly captures the spirit of the season.
15. Knorr Spinach Dip
This crowd-pleasing dip is made with a delectable blend of spinach, sour cream, and Knorr Vegetable recipe mix.
Serve it with crackers, chips, or fresh vegetables, and watch as your guests devour every last bit.
With its vibrant colors and fresh flavors, this dip is perfect for Beltane celebrations or any other festive occasion.
16. Grilled Halloumi Salad
Want to celebrate Beltane with a vibrant, delicious dish that’s also nutritious? The grilled halloumi salad fits the bill. It features pan-grilled halloumi cheese, chewy farro, fresh veggies, and herbs.
Top it off with the bright flavors of mint, the nutty crunch of pine nuts, and the tangy goodness of Kalamata olives.
17. Maple Glazed Carrots
If you’re looking for a sweet and savory addition to your Beltane feast, you’ve just found it.
These tender carrots are glazed with a delectable blend of maple syrup and butter. It creates the perfect balance of sweet and savory.
Plus, the carrots represent the spirit of Beltane with their vibrant orange color and sweet, earthy flavor.
18. Chickpea Spinach Curry
Spice up your Beltane feast with chickpea spinach curry, a perfect dish for the season of renewal and growth.
This flavorful curry features the hearty goodness of chickpeas, the fresh taste of spinach, and a blend of fragrant spices.
Serve it with rice or naan bread for a filling and delicious meal that celebrates the bounty of the season.
19. Lemon Blueberry Muffins
These lemon blueberry muffins are the ultimate springtime treat! Bursting with juicy blueberries and tart lemon flavor, they’re ridiculously good.
And they’re not just delicious. They’re perfect for Beltane too! Berries, with their many seeds, are symbolic of fertility.
20. Spinach Strawberry Salad
Satisfy your tastebuds and nourish your body with this spinach strawberry salad!
This delightful salad is loaded with fresh spinach, juicy strawberries, crunchy pecans, and crumbled feta cheese. But what really makes it stand out is the zesty poppy seed dressing. It perfectly balances sweet and tangy flavors.
Plus, this salad is perfect for Beltane. Strawberries symbolize love and fertility, while pecans represent abundance and prosperity.
21. Brie Grilled Cheese
Experience the ultimate cheesy indulgence with this brie grilled cheese.
This sandwich is loaded with ooey-gooey melted brie cheese, crispy and savory prosciutto, and sweet and tangy apple slices.
Why settle for a basic old grilled cheese when you can upgrade to this gourmet masterpiece?
22. Lemon Chicken with Lemon Butter Sauce
Savor the zesty and succulent flavor of this lemon chicken with lemon butter sauce. This dish bursts with a bright and tangy citrus flavor, and the buttery sauce adds the perfect creamy richness.
Not only is this dish incredibly delicious, but it’s also perfect for Beltane. Lemon is a symbol of purification and love.
23. Lemon Pancakes
Start your day off right with these delectable lemon pancakes! Each fluffy and airy bite is infused with zesty lemon flavor. It’s the perfect breakfast treat.
For a refreshing start to your Beltane festivities, these lemon pancakes will hit the spot.
24. Mexican Cornbread
Looking for a way to spice up your Beltane feast? Why not add a little Mexican flair with this delicious and savory cornbread? Each bite is packed with a punch of bold and zesty flavor. It’ll transport your tastebuds straight to the streets of Mexico.
And with its golden crust and fluffy texture, this cornbread is sure to delight.
25. Starbucks Lemon Loaf
Add a zesty sweetness to your Beltane feast with a homemade Starbucks lemon loaf! This delicious and moist lemon cake is loaded with a bright citrus flavor. It’s the perfect addition to any celebration.
Whether you’re indulging in a sweet breakfast or enjoying a refreshing dessert, this lemon loaf is a surefire hit.
25 Traditional Beltane Recipes
Celebrate May Day with these Beltane recipes! From mead to colcannon to lavender cake, you’ll love these Celtic favorites.
Ingredients
Bannocks
Sour Cream and Dill Potato Salad
Colcannon
Herb Compound Butter
Eggs in Purgatory
Buffalo Chicken Soup
Jalapeno Poppers
Buffalo Deviled Eggs
Lavender Cake
Garlic Rosemary Herb Focaccia
Rosemary Sea Salt Sweet Potato Rolls
Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies
Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells
Knorr Spinach Dip
Grilled Halloumi Salad
Maple Glazed Carrots
Chickpea Spinach Curry
Lemon Blueberry Muffins
Spinach Strawberry Salad
Brie Grilled Cheese
Lemon Pancakes
Mexican Cornbread
Starbucks Lemon Loaf
Instructions
- Select your favorite recipe.
- Organize all the required ingredients.
- Prep a Beltane favorite in 30 minutes or less!
