Every spring, people all around the world look forward to the feasting and celebration that takes place on Easter Sunday. Especially important to Christians, Easter is the celebration of Christ’s resurrection after three days in the grave. Over the centuries, many dinner traditions have been built around the holiday, some based on faith, and some just on good cooking. Here we will discuss the symbolism of some foods and 15 popular Easter dinner recipes.
Symbolic Easter Foods
Easter Eggs
Probably the most famous and most universally recognized Easter food is the brightly colored Easter egg. In many traditions, eggs are seen as a symbol of new life and represent Jesus’s resurrection. They are a great addition to any Easter celebration, coloring, and hunting for them are great family activities. When you are done using them as decoration, they can be turned into deviled eggs.
Chocolate Easter Bunnies
Chocolate bunnies are another tradition that combines both decoration and fun. The Easter bunny traditionally hides eggs for the children and brings them sugary treats. Rabbits in folklore are often symbols of spring and new life, which coincides with the rebirth themes of Easter.
Lamb
Jesus is often referred to as the “Lamb of God”, and lambs are one of the most common symbols of Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross. People eat lamb as part of their Easter dinner to honor and remember this.
Bread and Fish
Jesus gave his flesh body for mankind on Good Friday, and to honor that, many Christians, especially Catholics, choose to eat a stricter than usual diet that day. Instead of eating fleshy meats, they stick to fish and often eat lots of bread or pastries.
Traditional Dinner Dishes
1. Roasted Carrots
Fresh carrots coated in honey and brown sugar and then roasted until tender. This Easter Dinner side dish has become a staple because they are so easy and delicious.
Get Recipe at: lecremedelacrumb.com
2. Coca-cola Ham
There are lots of ways to prepare an Easter ham, but this one is practically fool-proof. A simple glaze of Coca-cola and brown sugar painted on a spiral cut ham and baked.
Get Recipe at: dinneratthezoo.com
3. Garlic and Herb Potatoes
Roasted potatoes are always a welcome side dish at Easter dinner. Rolled in oil, butter, garlic, and herbs and then roasted until soft on the inside and crispy on the outside.
Get the recipe at: rasamalaysia.com
4. Bacon-Brown Sugar Tenderloin
Pork tenderloin marinated in a sweet teriyaki sauce rubbed with brown sugar, wrapped in bacon, and baked until it sizzles.
Get the recipe at: thekitchn.com
5. Oven Roasted Asparagus
Asparagus is a quintessential spring vegetable and often found as an Easter side dish. Sprinkled in garlic, parmesan, and just a little bit of lemon juice and roasted until soft.
Get the recipe at: houseofnasheats.com
6. Easter Bunny Rolls
These cute little bunny-shaped rolls are best when made from homemade yeast dough and then coated in butter while they are still warm from the oven. A great addition to Easter dinner or brunch.
Get the recipe at: platedcravings.com
7. Bacon Parmesan Beans
Even people who aren’t fans of fresh green beans will think twice before passing on these.
Get the recipe at: sixsistersstuff.com
8. Broccoli Salad
There are so many recipes for broccoli salad out there, but this one is the best I have found. Full of fresh ingredients and so flavorful, it is a go-to Easter side dish.
Get the recipe at: ourwabisabilife.com
9. Slow Cooker Maple Glazed Ham
A delicious, juicy ham that only takes minutes to prepare. Once it’s in the slow cooker, you don’t have to worry about it until it’s time to carve.
Get the recipe at: sixsistersstuff.com
10. Bourbon Orange Glazed Ham
Coated in bourbon mustard and orange glaze this ham is sweet, tangy, sticky, and sure to be a star on your dinner table.
Get the recipe at: thechunkychef.com
11. Holiday Corn Casserole
This sweet and savory side dish will remind you of cornbread and is so simple to put together.
Get the recipe at: twosisterscrafting.com
12. Herb Roasted Potatoes and Beans
These potatoes and green beans are coated in butter, sprinkled with garlic and rosemary, and roasted until golden and delicious.
Get the recipe at: thegraciouswife.com
13. Asparagus Bundles
Fresh stalks of asparagus wrapped in strips of bacon and baked. There is a reason these are such a popular Easter side dish because they are amazing.
Get the recipe at: lilluna.com
14. Cordon Blue Stuffed Pork Loin
Get the recipe at: seekinggoodeats.com
15. Asparagus Gruyere Tart – Featured On The Today Show
Get the recipe at: hipfoodiemom.com
