10 great buffet recipes for easy entertaining

Planning a buffet should feel exciting, not stressful.

A good spread isn’t just about feeding people, it’s about creating something generous and inviting that guests can dip into at their own pace. If you need a little inspiration to get started, you can also take cues from Delia’s Antipasti ideas, which are all about simple dishes that work beautifully together.

Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together or a bigger celebration, the right mix of dishes makes all the difference. You want food that’s easy to prepare, simple to serve, and guaranteed to please a crowd. This collection of 10 great buffet recipes covers all the bases, from savoury tarts and fresh salads to hearty curries and indulgent desserts.

Start Strong with Savoury Tarts

Tarts are a buffet staple for good reason. They slice neatly, taste great warm or cold, and can be made ahead.

Delia's Tomato Tart with Swiss Cheese with its rich, savoury flavour is simple but always popular. Alongside it, a Smoked Fish Tart with a Parmesan Crust adds something a little different, with a more distinctive taste that works beautifully on a buffet table.

Both of these tart recipes can be frozen in advance, which makes things much easier, and you’ll find the information in the Ask Lindsey section on each recipe page, so you can make them with confidence.

Tomato Tart with Swiss Cheese

Smoked Fish Tart

Fresh Salads That Everyone Loves

No buffet is complete without a generous bowl of salad. It adds colour, freshness, and balance to the table. A big bowl placed front and centre always goes down well, especially when you offer variety. 

Anya Potato Salad, a creamy, satisfying crowd-pleaser.  American Chef’s Salad, packed with any combination of cold meats or cheeses you like. Pesto Rice Salad is light, herby, and full of flavour and Mixed Vegetable Salad à la Grecque, is fresh and vibrant, perfect alongside richer dishes

These salads are easy to prepare ahead of time and hold up well, making them ideal for buffet-style serving.

Anya Potato Salad

American Chef's Salad

Pesto Rice Salad

Mixed Vegetable Salad a la Grecque

Crowd-pleasing Curries

If you’re looking to include hot food, curries are one of the easiest and most reliable options. They can be made in advance, kept warm, and served in big batches without fuss. Beef Curry Dopiaza offers rich, comforting flavours with tender meat and plenty of depth and for vegetarian guests, Egg and Lentil Curry with Coconut and Pickled Lime is a fantastic option. It’s hearty, satisfying, and full of warming spices.

Serve with rice or flatbreads, and you’ve got a simple, stress-free hot buffet solution.

Beef Curry Dopiaza

Egg and Lentil Curry

Finish with Something Sweet

Every buffet needs a good dessert especially for guests with a sweet tooth.

The Famous Truffle Torte is rich, chocolatey, and perfect for slicing into small portions so everyone can enjoy a taste. If you want something a little lighter, Cheesecake with Greek Yoghurt and Pistachios brings a creamy texture with a fresh, slightly tangy twist.

Both desserts feel special without being overly complicated, which is exactly what you want when entertaining.

The Famous Truffle Torte

Cheesecake with Greek Yoghurt and Honey

Build a Buffet That Works for You

The key to a great buffet is balance. Mix hot and cold dishes, offer a few make-ahead options, and include something for everyone. With recipes like these, you can prepare ahead, reduce last-minute stress, and actually enjoy yourself.

Whether it’s savoury tarts, fresh salads, comforting curries, or indulgent desserts, these 10 great buffet recipes give you everything you need to create a spread for everyone to enjoy.