James Martin’s Sunday Lunch Starter Ideas

Seafood starters

For a light and elegant start, seafood options are always a great choice. James Martin provides several recipes that are both impressive and relatively easy to prepare.

For more inspiration, discover our prawn starter recipes.

Smoked salmon carpaccio

This stunning seafood starter is guaranteed to impress. It features layers of smoked salmon with beetroot, orange, and tangy horseradish cream, combining together to make a sophisticated and refreshing beginning to your meal. Plus, it takes only 30 minutes to prepare!

Discover more smoked salmon starters.

Classic potted shrimps

Three individual potted shrimp with crusty bread

A classic seafood starter, James Martin's potted shrimps are best made the day before and left in the fridge overnight, making it perfect for fuss-free entertaining. Ideal for a special Sunday lunch, this starter is ready in 25 minutes.

Try more shrimp recipes.

Celebration fish platter with spiced cucumber salad

This indulgent sharing platter makes an impressive starter. It includes trout pâté, crisp-coated mackerel fillets and smoked salmon for a special start to your meal.

Crayfish cocktail with horseradish cream

Your guests will never know this takes on 15 minutes to prepare! Give the classic prawn cocktail a twist by pairing crayfish tails with tangy horseradish and creamy avocado for a stylish beginning to your Sunday lunch.

Pâté & terrine starters

For a richer and more indulgent start, pâtés and terrines are excellent choices, offering deep flavours and a touch of luxury.

Try more pâté recipes, including vegetarian pâté recipes, then discover our favourite terrine recipes.

Chicken liver pâté

James Martin's chicken liver pâté is a luxuriously rich starter that can be made up to two days in advance to take the stress out of the day itself. Serve it with toasted brioche, cornichons, and chutney for a classic and satisfying combination.

Toasted malt loaf with pressed ham terrine and & spiced apple compote

Toasted malt loaf with pressed ham terrine & spiced apple compote

This sophisticated dish balances the sweetness of the apple and malt loaf with a tangy vinaigrette. The homemade Bramley apple compote makes it a little more work, but it's more than worth it.

Salad starters

Salads can offer a refreshing and vibrant start to your Sunday lunch, especially when they incorporate interesting flavour combinations and textures, as well as seasonal ingredients.

Discover more spring salads for the new season.

Goat's cheese, pear & candied pecan salad

Salad with goats cheese and pecans on a plate

This extra-special vegetarian starter is bursting with contrasting flavours and textures. It includes spiralised pear, crunchy roasted nuts, and creamy goat's cheese.

Try more goat's cheese recipes.

Smoked haddock & celeriac salad

A plate on a table with smoked haddock & celeriac

This salad has a delicate balance of salty, sharp, rich and smoky flavours – a mouthwatering start to any menu.

Try more celeriac recipes.

Soup starters

Make the most of fresh ingredients for a refreshing start to your Sunday lunch with our starter recipes from James Martin. Serve with crusty bread for dunking.

Make the most of seasonal produce with our spring soup recipes, creamy soup recipes, spicy soup recipes, vegan soup recipes and vegetarian soup recipes for even more ideas.

Cauliflower & apple soup

Combine cauliflower and apple for an easy, creamy soup to serve as part of your Sunday lunch spread. You can get ahead by freezing this soup and then simply reheating to serve.

Try more cauliflower soup recipes.