What Is the Traditional Easter Dinner?

Eggs often are eaten at Easter dinner.

Easter is not only celebrated as a religious holiday but as the coming of spring. Because Easter is a major holiday, it is often celebrated in a grand fashion similar to Christmas and Thanksgiving, with the highlight being a large dinner. There are many foods and dishes that are often included on an Easter dinner table.

Meats and Main Dishes

Meats and main entrees that are traditionally consumed at Easter dinner include lamb, baked ham, roast chicken and Easter meat pie. Lamb is typically served with mint sauce, and ham is often glazed with a sweet sauce made of honey, pineapple juice or orange juice.

Vegetables

Vegetables traditionally eaten at Easter include asparagus, sweet potatoes, carrots, red and new potatoes, corn, spinach and parsnips. If they're not roasted along with the meat, these vegetables are typically served simply, with a bit of butter and salt, to allow their fresh flavors to come through.

Side Dishes

In addition to the entrees typically served at Easter, there are several side dishes that commonly accompany them. Dishes such as deviled eggs, rice casseroles, stuffing or dressing, hot cross buns and spring salad frequently complement the main dish at a traditional Easter dinner.

Desserts

Candies are the most common Easter desserts. Chocolate eggs, chocolate bunnies, shaped marshmallows and jellybeans are seen not only in children's Easter baskets, but also on the dessert plates of adults as well. In addition to candies, many also eat Simnel cake, peach pie, lemon cake or pound cake following Easter dinner.

Drinks

Though there aren't many drinks that are considered to be symbolically tied to the Easter holiday, there are several drinks that are frequently offered at Easter dinner, such as lemonade, iced tea, ginger ale and fruit punch. Alcoholic beverages served before or during Easter dinner are usually light, such as wine spritzers, Bellinis and rose wine.

References

• Traditional Easter Meals
• Food & Drink Special: Traditional Easter Foods
• YumSugar: Easter Drinks