Recipes to Celebrate Beltane

Beltane is a celebration of the height of spring filled with fire and passion. Create a feast to honor that energy with these 100 recipes to celebrate Beltane. Give thanks for the light half of the year. It's gonna be awesome.

Beltane, also known as May Day, is more associated with frolicking and flowers than any specific food, but that doesn't mean we can't still have a feast. Think of foods you can eat outdoors on a picnic blanket or cook on a grill. Celebrate the bounty and beauty of spring and honor the sun's power with a Beltane feast.

What is Beltane?

Beltane, usually celebrated on May 1st, marks the halfway point between spring and summer. In some traditions, it signals the beginning of the light half of the year, with Samhain on October 31st tipping us back into the dark half. May is my favorite time of year in Scotland. You can definitely sense why the Celtic people who once lived here found it magical.

You may know Beltane as May Day, a celebration of flowers and dancing around a May pole. This turn of the wheel of the year has many names around the world, but whatever you call it, take a moment to give thanks for the abundant life that is beginning to spring forth from the Earth.

The two major aspects of this sabbat are fire and fertility. Many people will have a bonfire to symbolize the return of the sun. Jumping over the fire is an old tradition that brings good fortune. And for Beltane, we're talking about literal fertility here. Some folklore suggests people were getting busy in their fields to ensure an abundant harvest. You celebrate as you like. Whether it's fire or sex, be safe.

But every sabbat is worthy of a feast, so let's get into the food. Here are 100 awesome recipes to help you celebrate Beltane.

Cooking with fire

Since fire is such an important symbol of this day, it's the perfect time to clean off your grill and cook over a live flame. You can cook your whole feast this way, or just roast marshmallows over your bonfire. It's all delicious. I've got lots of delicious burgers, as well as other grilled options to fill you up.

• Jalapeno Cream Cheese Stuffed Burgers - An extra bit of magic is hiding inside.
• Peanut Butter & Jelly Burgers - Cook them on your grill then top them with fiery chili jam.
• Basically Awesome Burger - Keep it simple and let your guests dress their burgers just the way they like.
• Grilled Chicken Skewers with Chili Mint Yogurt - These are so flavorful and the sauce bring a Spring fire energy perfect for Beltane.
• Blue Cheese Burgers - A sophisticated take on a humble food.
• Cuban Burgers - These burgers go on the grill twice, so they've extra loaded with fire energy.
• Bacon Egg & Cheese Grilled Potatoes - Wake up to an awesome breakfast cooked over the grill or in the fire.
• Spicy Southwest Burgers - Bring a bit of spice to the party.
• Lemon Chicken Marinade - Tastes like Spring!
• BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger - A classic for good reason.
• Flame Burger - This super spicy burger is full of fire energy.
• Grilled Potato Foil Packets with Lemon Dill Creme Fraiche - These can be cooked in the oven or on the grill.
• BBQ Pork Burger - What else can I say other than that this is absolutely delicious.

Fresh herbs

Every witch knows the power of herbs, and they're especially abundant at this time of year. Use what's in season. Ever-fertile mint is especially symbolic at Beltane, but basil, chives, dill, oregano, and parsley are also great to cook with.

• Garlic & Herb Focaccia Bread - Fresh bread baked in a hot oven is also symbolic for Beltane.
• Mint Brownies - Chocolate is full of love magic.
• One Pot Lemon & Ricotta Pasta - With fresh basil, brie, and fresh corn.
• Lemon Za'atar Goat Cheese Dip - Great for a date night Beltane celebration.
• Sour Cream & Chive Dip - Homemade is always awesome.
• Roasted New Potatoes with Dill - A simple side dish that lets the produce sing.
• Lemon Garlic Pasta - A super simple meatless pasta dish full of protection.
• Whipped Ricotta - A fluffy cloud of cheese that's the perfect blank canvas for fresh herbs.
• Mint Chocolate Mousse - Truly indulgent and totally sexy.
• Creamy Pesto Gnocchi with Chicken - So much flavor and so simple to make.
• Parmesan Oregano Bread - Whether you're dipping it in soup or making sandwiches for a picnic, this loaf is awesome.
• Dill & Cheddar Popovers - A special little side for your Beltane table.
• Garlic Bread Mac & Cheese - Fresh parsley and sexy garlic make this mac and cheese absolutely delicious.
• Pesto Mashed Potatoes - A spring twist on a classic comfort food.
• Mint Cucumber Lemon Water - Stay hydrated as the Spring sun warms you.
• Za'atar Flatbread - The easiest way to get the delicious flavor of za'atar in your face.
• Gammon Steaks with Parsley Sauce - A simple dinner for two that celebrates spring herbs.
• Mint Limeade - Keep cool and call in abundance.
• Turkey Pesto Sandwich - The combination of flavors and textures is irresistible.

Spring Vegetables

With any sabbat feast, you only need to look to what Mother Earth is offering to know what to cook. Many spring vegetables also have associations with fertility. Of course, what's in season will vary by region, and new world foods may not show up in traditional lists of Beltane correspondences because ancient Celts had never heard of tomatoes, so use your common sense. And if you live in the Southern Hemisphere, be sure to pin this list for reference in six months. Here, we're looking at spring greens, spinach, peas, new potatoes, carrots, chickpeas, etc.

• Mexican Spinach Dip - Also full of fire energy from your favorite salsa.
• Corn & Green Onion Biscuits - Corn has some serious fertility energy.
• Bacon & Egg Salad - If you've gotta eat salad, it might as well be indulgent.
• Za'atar Potato Salad - The oregano in the za'atar is great for creativity and happiness.
• Maple Glazed Carrots - Sometimes a carrot is just a carrot, but sometimes it's a fertility symbol.
• Chickpea & Spinach Curry - Curry is also a Beltane correspondence.
• Spinach Alfredo Mac & Cheese - Cheese is filled with happy energy.
• Bacon Goat Cheese & Green Onion Biscuits - Do green onions remind you of anything?
• Cider Braised Chicken Thighs with Spring Vegetables - The colors in this dish will remind you of Spring fertility.
• Carrot Ginger Orange Mimosa - Full of fiery energy first thing in the morning.
• Potato & Spinach Curry - Combine fresh ingredients with delicious spices.
• Harissa Hummus - Bring a little hint of fire energy to your favorite dip.
• Swiss & Bacon Dip - This is mostly cheese and bacon, but it's got green onions, so we can sneak it in here.
• Spinach & Ricotta Stuffed Shells - Let the pasta shells represent the element of water.
• Chicken & Ham Pie - This feels very English to me, and deeply satisfying.
• Dill Potato Salad - My favorite potato salad for Spring picnics.
• Fiery Halloumi Salad - Cook your cheese on the grill and bring some extra fire with a homemade sweet chilli sauce made with honey.
• Hummus & Egg Toast with Sun-dried Tomatoes & Chives - A light lunch packed with incredible flavor.
• Loco Moco - Pretend you've just come off your surfboard and you're eating Hawaiian food in the sunshine.

Seasonal Fruits & Berries

Berries, with their many seeds, are ideal for fertility magic. They're also just starting to show up around Beltane in some parts of the world. Bananas are still in season, and there's no doubt about their fertility magic. As modern witches, we have access to pretty much any food we want any day of the year. If you can buy fresh fruit from a local grower, I think the Earth would be grateful.

• Strawberry Soju Slushie - For my Korean witches.
• Cherry Brandy Cocktail - A simple and delicious cocktail to help you tap into the beauty of the season.
• Chocolate Banana Muffins - It's a sexy day, these are sexy ingredients. Get into it.
• Raspberry Pancakes - Raspberry is the color of Beltane in my mind.
• Strawberry Poppy Seed Salad - It doesn't get more seasonal than this.
• Queen of Puddings - These Victorian-era dishes somehow feel very magical to my American mind.
• Brie Grilled Cheese with Ham & Cherry Jam - This sandwich has cherry jam for love.
• Banana Macadamia Nut Muffins - A perfect little treat for a Beltane picnic.
• Cherry Berry Cocktail - With its stone at the center and its beautiful red color, cherries are beautiful for prosperity magick.
• Strawberry Basil & Lemon Infused Water - Stay hydrated and stay abundant.
• Jam Tarts - Fill these sweet little pies with your favorite berry jams.
• Raspberry Cooler - Every feast needs a hot pink cocktail.
• Cherry Ginger Mint Cocktail - A touch of fire balances the sweetness in this cocktail.
• Bakewell Tart - Almonds are ruled by the Sun, which we honor at Beltane.
• Italian Cream Sodas - Choose a fruit syrup to match your vibe.
• Strawberry Banana Smoothie - Wake up to a tall glass of fertility.
• Kir Royale - Add raspberry liqueur to a glass of champagne before you go a-Maying.
• Strawberry Basil Balsamic Dutch Baby - A delightfully Spring-like and indulgent breakfast option.

Lemon & Citrus

While some sources list lemon as corresponding with the moon, I think there's nothing sunnier and more spring-like than a big bowl of citrus fruits. They have all the colors of the season, so I think they deserve a place at your Beltane table. Plus they bring cleansing, energy, and lots of joy.

• Pasta with Lemon Cream Sauce - I could eat this by the bucketful.
• Chocolate Orange Scones - Perfect for a Beltane afternoon tea.
• Ginger & Lime Mocktail - A sweet and spicy drink full of prosperity energy.
• Lemon & Blackberry Pound Cake - This cake is absolutely gorgeous.
• Orange Poppy Seed Muffins - A sunny twist on a classic flavor combo.
• Vodka Lime Slush - Great for places where Beltane is already sweltering.
• 5 Minute Microwave Lemon Cake - For when you need to summon the sunshine in a hurry.
• Chocolate Orange Loaf Cake - Absolutely indulgent and so simple to make.
• Citrus Bundt Cake - Sugar is a great ingredient for attraction.
• Flourless Chocolate Lime Cake with Margarita Cream - A super flavorful gluten-free dessert.
• Lemon Meringue Fool - Just a few ingredients and a few minutes to something sweet and tasty.
• Chocolate Orange Mousse - This cheater technique is super easy to make.
• Citrus Cocktail Cupcakes - Booze and cake together for a totally good time.
• Lime Ginger & Lemongrass Infused Water
• Lemon Poppyseed Pancakes - Poppyseeds can help you get a good night's sleep which you might need after this stimulating festival.
• Brazilian Sunrise Cocktail - To honor the sun, of course.
• Chocolate Lime Pie - A creamy no-bake option in case it's already too hot to turn on the oven.
• Healthy Lemon Waffles with Chia Seeds - Wake up to something indulgent and flavorful that's sneakily good for you.
• Orange Chocolate Chip Muffins - If Beltane is a work day, add one of these to your lunchbox for a solo celebration.

A few more just for fun

There were just a few more recipes that I thought would be really great. Bees are an important symbol of the season, so we've got some honey. And I've also included some recipes that use flowers, which are significant at this time of year. And of course, a few cheeky recipes that just feel super sexy.

• Lavender Cake - This pretty little loaf cake is full of Spring energy.
• Crispy Honey Chicken - The sweet attraction power of honey is perfect for Beltane, plus, there's a bit of a fiery kick.
• Rose Quartz Cocktail - A floral-inspired cocktail that doubles as a love spell.
• Better than Sex Cupcakes - How could I resist?
• Spiced Honey Vodka - A sweet and spice-infused sippable spirit.
• Buttery Nipple Milkshake - It's a little bit naughty and very delicious.
• Honey Chili Chicken - It's spicy and sweet and impossible to stop eating.
• Goat Cheese Crostini with Macadamia Nuts & Honey - Sweeten any spell with a bit of honey.
• Honey Wheat Bread - A humble loaf that's loaded with great flavor.
• Sex on the Beach - A cocktail with citrus and pineapple, very sunny.
• Honey Whole Wheat Pancakes - Say thank you to the bees by making sure your honey is sustainable.
• Hot Honey Sauce - Drizzle this delicious sauce on anything that will stand still long enough.

I hope you enjoyed these recipes to celebrate Beltane. Whether you’re celebrating with your family or your coven, this turn of the wheel of the year is filled with fire and fun. If you make one of these recipes to celebrate Beltane, I’d love to see it. Share your photos on Instagram, and hashtag them #awesomeon20. And be sure to check out our podcast episode all about Beltane for more information and ideas.

And be sure to check my Kitchen Magick page for specific correspondences of various ingredients.

Beltane blessings to you, friends. Make it awesome.