Easter recipes with a Mediterranean twist!
For my family, Easter dinner will be just the four of us at the table this year. But that won’t stop us from having a special meal! Plus, it means that we’ll have some scrumptious leftovers to use up for the next few days. I love changing things up, so every year I sort through my favorite Easter recipes to see what new things I can add. You may find a new take on a classic, like my no mayo deviled eggs. Or some of these recipes may inspire you to try something completely new! If you’re looking for some ideas, I’ve got you covered with a list of tasty ideas: 25 Mediterranean Easter recipes Skipping the predictable ham? Make a leg of lamb or roast chicken or Cornish game hens for a smaller crowd. Heck, you could go pescatarian with a lovely salmon! Spanakopita doubles up as a side or a vegetarian main, if you like. And those boiled eggs are the perfect addition to a large chickpea salad. And I’ve got you covered with Easter bread and honey-drenched baklava + lots more ideas! There is something for everyone on this list of Easter dinner recipes. Ready?
Easter lamb and other mains
For some, lamb takes center stage as the main dish for Easter, I have some amazing lamb recipes for you. But, if you’re looking for something holiday-worthy that is not lamb, I got you covered as well. Here are a few ideas to consider:
Roast Leg of Lamb – The ultimate Mediterranean-style leg of lamb recipe! Leg of lamb covered in a rub of fresh garlic, Mediterranean spices, olive oil and lemon juice. Roasted with potato wedges and onions. Step-by-step tutorial included! Greek Slow-Cooker Boneless Lamb Leg – Flavorful, succulent, fall-apart tender boneless leg of lamb, seasoned Greek-style with loads of garlic, rosemary, oregano and citrus. You can make this one in your slow-cooker–free up the oven for other things–or use your braiser or Dutch oven. Both methods included with the recipe. Braised Lamb Shanks – The beauty of a one-pot-wonder right here! Mediterranean-spiced braised lamb shanks, cooked in a red wine and tomato sauce with vegetables, aromatics, and fresh herbs. Recipe comes with braising and slow-cooker instructions! Spatchcock Chicken – Butterflied chicken, spiced the Mediterranean way and roasted to tender perfection is a great option if you don’t wnat lamb. Two small tricks make the BEST and crispiest chicken ever. Cornish Game Hens with a Mediterranean Garlic-Spice Rub – Serve each person their very own chicken! The hens take on a flavor-packed garlic spice rub before roasting. Every bit as juicy and succulent as they look. Lemon Garlic Salmon – Perfectly flaky baked salmon covered in a tantalizing garlic lemon sauce. Best part? Ready in about 25 minutes! And if you’re going pescatarian, here are more fish and seafood recipes.
Easter side dishes and vegetarian mains
These Easter side dish recipes can be sides or vegetarian mains, adding a pop of color to your table
Blanched Asparagus with Mediterranean Salsa – perfectly tender-crisp asparagus topped with a bright Mediterranean salsa Spanakopita – Crispy phyllo (fillo) pie with a comforting spinach and feta cheese filling. This is so much easier to prepare than you imagine! Check out the tutorial and video with the recipe. Crispy Lemon Roasted Broccoli – a new favorite here on the blog! A high-heated oven and a couple of small tips make all the difference in this roasted broccoli that is tender on the inside and crispy with caramelized edges on the outside Italian Roasted Vegetables – colorful veggies coated in garlic, oregano, thyme and extra virgin olive oil. Vegetarian Moussaka – layers of roasted eggplant, potatoes, and zucchini with a tasty chunky tomato-lentil sauce nestled in, and topped with creamy béchamel sauce. Like spanakopita, this satisfying casserole can double up as a vegetarian main dish. You can also check out traditional moussaka recipe. Greek Potatoes – Some of the lamb recipes above already include potatoes. But if you’re looking to make your potatoes separately, these should be it! Potato wedges take on a simple Mediterranean spice mixture, then roasted in a lemony broth with lots of garlic.
Salads and Easter Appetizers
There are many bright salads and appetizer recipes that are worth including on this list, I just selected a few to get you started:
Healthy Egg Salad – best use for all those boiled eggs! simple egg salad with avocados, fresh herbs, and crunchy garden veggies is loaded with texture and bright flavor. Another excellent option is this chickpea egg salad. Greek Salad – resist the temptation to add lettuce to this classic Greek salad. Serve it simply as they do in Greece with small blocks of feta on top! White Bean Salad – simple white bean salad loaded with bright Mediterranean flavors! Canned beans, chopped veggies, and fresh herbs tossed together in one big bowl. Black Eyed Pea Salad – simple and hearty black eyed pea salad with chopped vegetables, fresh herbs, pomegranate arils, and a bright Mediterranean dressing. Baked Feta – soft, velvety baked feta with tomatoes and bell peppers is a great appetizer with a side of homemade pita chips Antipasti Skewers – beautiful skewers of mozzarella, artichoke hearts, olives, and tomatoes. Easy and Tzatziki sauce – this Greek yogurt and cucumber sauce is the perfect accompaniment to meat and poultry dishes on the Easter table. Of course, classic hummus is another I can’t resist.
Easter bread and Easter desserts
Pita bread is my go-to bread for every day, but when it comes to Easter bread, I’m all for Greek Tsourike! As far as Easter dessert recipes go, be sure to check my expanded list of dessert recipes here, I just selected a few that are my go-to for holidays:
Greek Easter Bread – Tsourike (Greek Easter Bread) is a sweet yeast bread that is a bit brioche-like. You’ll love this dense braided loaf that’s adorned with red-dyed eggs. This bread is as delicious as it is meaningful. Or, try the Italian version for an Easter bread that features citrus zest instead of sesame and anise. Ghorayebah (Easter Cookies) – Bite-size, melt-in-your-mouth butter cookies that are just the right amount of sweet. Probably one of the very few recipes I will use butter for, I am an olive oil girl through and through. Baklava – Perfectly crispy, appropriately honeyed layers of phyllo with my favorite spiced nut mixture of pistachios, hazelnut and walnuts. A guaranteed winner! You can make this ahead of time; it’s even better after one or two days. Recipe comes with step-by-step tutorial and video. Tahini Brownie – the combination of nutty sesame tahini and chocolate in these soft, chewy brownies is out of this world. And you should also check out the tahini chocolate chip cookies as well!
Easter brunch recipes
For some, Easter brunch is the main celebratory meal, so here are some brunchy ideas and egg dishes that won’t disappoint:
Vegetarian Egg Casserole – a satisfying egg casserole with veggies and fresh herbs. I love this as a way to use up what vegetables you have on hand. Shakshuka – eggs braised in a delicious chunky tomato sauces with bell peppers and onions. And you can try Green Shakshuka for another alternative. Egg Muffins – fluffy breakfast egg muffins with veggies and your choice of meat. Labneh – this tangy, extra creamy yogurt cheese is made of 2 simple ingredients, yogurt and salt, and it is a must-have on my brunch table with a side of fresh veggies.
I can’t wait to see what’s on your Easter menu! Be sure to stop by and let me know and tag me on Instagram @themediterraneandish *Note: This post has been updated for readers’ benefit.
