20 Easter Dishes That Embody The Spirit Of The Holiday
Easter brings sunshine, family, and that irresistible spread you dream about all spring. If you are planning the menu, these dishes capture everything you love about the holiday, from nostalgic bites to bright, fresh flavors.
You will find classics you can rely on, plus lighter sides that balance the feast. Grab a plate and let this lineup guide you to your best Easter yet.
1. Honey-Glazed Ham
Honey-glazed ham is the showstopper that makes the room smell like celebration. The sticky-sweet glaze meets salty, smoky meat, delivering that perfect caramelized crust you love to slice into.
Serve it warm, let it rest, and watch everyone hover with plates ready.
You can stud the surface with cloves and brush on extra glaze for glossy layers. Add orange zest or a splash of bourbon if you want a little sparkle.
Leftovers are legendary: sandwiches, breakfast hash, or tucked into rolls with mustard.
2. Herb-Roasted Leg of Lamb
Roasted leg of lamb feels like spring on a platter. Garlic, rosemary, and lemon seep into the meat, making every slice aromatic and tender.
Give it time to rest, then carve into rosy pieces that pair beautifully with bright sauces and simple sides.
You might whisk the pan drippings into a quick gravy. Or blitz fresh herbs, capers, and lemon into a punchy salsa verde.
Either way, this centerpiece tastes classic yet lively, ready to anchor your Easter table.
3. Garlic and Rosemary Roast Chicken
Roast chicken is the dependable friend that still feels special. Garlic and rosemary perfume the bird, while lemon keeps everything bright and juicy.
The skin crisps up beautifully, and the pan juices beg to be spooned over everything on your plate.
Tuck garlic cloves and herb sprigs under the skin for extra flavor. Roast potatoes right in the drippings to make it a one-pan wonder.
Simple, comforting, and elegant, it fits Easter perfectly without any fuss.
4. Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs are the first to vanish, every single time. The filling is silky with just enough tang, often boosted by mustard, mayo, and a little pickle brine.
A dusting of paprika or chives makes them look instantly festive.
Customize yours with crispy bacon, dill, or a kick of hot sauce. Pipe the filling big and swirly for a bakery-worthy look.
They are bite-sized, nostalgic, and exactly what you want while waiting for the main event.
5. Classic Egg Salad
Egg salad is your day-after hero and a quiet star on the table. Chopped eggs meet a creamy dressing with a little crunch from celery and a spark from Dijon.
Spread it on soft bread or pile it onto lettuce cups for something fresh.
Use your leftover dyed eggs and keep the seasoning bright with lemon or herbs. A pinch of paprika or dill brings it home.
It is simple comfort, perfect for sandwiches later.
6. Hot Cross Buns
Hot cross buns make the kitchen smell like cinnamon and celebration. These soft, spiced rolls are dotted with raisins or currants and finished with a shiny glaze.
The signature cross reminds everyone why we are gathered, keeping tradition deliciously alive.
Enjoy them warm with butter, maybe a drizzle of honey. Leftovers toast beautifully for breakfast.
They feel nostalgic but never heavy, perfect for nibbling between egg hunts and dinner prep.
7. Easter Bread (Sweet Braided Bread)
This braided loaf looks like a centerpiece and tastes like a hug. Slightly sweet, tender, and golden, it often cradles dyed eggs in its twists.
A sprinkle of coarse sugar sparkles on top, making every slice feel celebratory.
Serve it with butter and jam, or enjoy it plain while it is still warm. The dough is friendlier than it looks, especially if you take your time shaping.
Impressive, approachable, and perfect for Easter brunch.
8. Scalloped Potatoes
Scalloped potatoes are comfort in casserole form. Thin slices soak in a creamy sauce until tender, then bubble into a golden crust.
The edges get extra caramelized, which is where everyone fights for seconds.
Add a whisper of nutmeg or garlic for depth. If you want a little richness, fold in cheese for gratin vibes.
This side loves ham and lamb equally, making it an Easter default you know will please.
9. Crispy Roasted Potatoes with Herbs
These roasted potatoes bring crunch and comfort without feeling heavy. Tossed with olive oil, rosemary, and thyme, they roast into crisp-edged bites with fluffy centers.
A final shower of flaky salt and lemon zest perks everything up.
Serve them right from the sheet pan for casual charm. They pair with any main and reheat well if people wander in late.
Simple, reliable, and totally snackable, they disappear fast.
10. Spring Pea Salad
Spring pea salad tastes like sunshine after a long winter. Sweet peas mingle with crisp radishes and cool mint, all glossed in a lemony dressing.
Shaved parmesan adds savory richness without weighing it down.
You can toss in prosciutto or toasted almonds for texture. It cuts through rich mains beautifully and looks radiant on the table.
Fresh, fast, and cheerful, it is the side you did not know you needed.
11. Asparagus (Roasted or Grilled)
Asparagus tells you spring has arrived. Roast or grill until the tips char slightly, then finish with lemon and good olive oil.
A few shavings of parmesan or a soft-poached egg takes it over the top.
It is elegant yet effortless, ready in minutes while the ham rests. You get snap, tenderness, and that green freshness your plate needs.
Simple sides like this keep the whole meal balanced.
12. Green Beans Almondine
Green beans almondine is buttery, crisp-tender, and quietly fancy. Toasted almonds bring texture, while lemon keeps everything lively.
It complements rich mains without shouting for attention.
Blanch the beans first for the best color and snap. Then toss with brown butter and almonds right before serving.
You will get elegance with almost no effort, which is exactly what a holiday meal needs.
13. Carrot Glazed Side Dish
Glazed carrots bring natural sweetness that feels right at Easter. A honey-butter sauce lacquered with a hint of orange makes them glisten.
They are tender but not mushy, with just enough bite to feel fresh.
Add a pinch of salt and a little ginger if you like warmth. Finish with parsley for color and brightness.
They cozy up to ham and lamb beautifully, adding sunshine to every plate.
14. Creamy Cucumber Salad
Creamy cucumber salad cools everything down. Thin slices mingle with dill and a tangy dressing that tastes like a breeze through the window.
It is crisp, refreshing, and exactly what you want beside warm roasted meats.
Salt the cucumbers first to keep things from getting watery. A squeeze of lemon or a splash of vinegar tightens the flavor.
Serve it well chilled, and watch plates come back clean.
15. Classic Dinner Rolls
Soft dinner rolls are nonnegotiable. Tear one open and let the steam hit you, then swipe it through pan juices or smear with butter.
They are pillowy, slightly sweet, and perfect for building tiny leftover sandwiches.
Make them ahead and rewarm before serving for oven-fresh magic. Brush with melted butter and a sprinkle of flaky salt.
Expect people to reach for seconds before the mains even arrive.
16. Fruit Salad with Citrus
This fruit salad resets your palate between rich bites. Citrus segments are juicy and bright, tossing with berries and a whisper of mint.
A honey-lime dressing ties it together without turning it syrupy.
Use what looks best at the market and keep the cuts generous. It feels celebratory yet light, the kind of bowl people return to for seconds.
Refreshing, colorful, and kid-friendly, it belongs on every Easter table.
17. Lemon Bars
Lemon bars are sunshine in bite-size squares. The shortbread crust is tender and buttery, holding a tangy lemon curd that snaps with brightness.
A snowfall of powdered sugar makes them look instantly celebratory.
Chill before slicing for clean edges and that perfect soft set. They balance the dessert table with acidity and charm.
If you love citrus, you will reach for these before anything else.
18. Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Carrot cake feels like Easter in dessert form. Warm spices, shredded carrots, and maybe pineapple keep the crumb moist and tender.
The cream cheese frosting is tangy and lush, the exact contrast that makes every bite sing.
Add toasted walnuts if you like crunch. Decorate simply or go full celebration with piped carrots on top.
Either way, it is the cake people will talk about after dinner.
19. Coconut Cream Pie
Coconut cream pie is fluffy, sweet, and deeply comforting. A flaky crust holds silky coconut custard under a cloud of whipped cream.
Toasted coconut on top adds texture and that irresistible aroma.
Chill it well so slices hold their shape. The flavor feels tropical yet completely at home on a spring dessert table.
One bite and the room goes quiet in the best way.
20. Strawberry Shortcake
Strawberry shortcake tastes like a celebration you can hold in your hands. Flaky biscuits cradle syrupy berries and soft, barely sweet whipped cream.
It is light, juicy, and tailor-made for spring gatherings.
Let the strawberries sit with sugar until their juices pool. Split the biscuits, pile everything high, and do not skimp on cream.
Simple, showstopping, and always gone first, it is the sweetest way to say happy Easter.
