25 Traditional Easter Foods from Around the World
Your excuse for a tasty cultural tour!
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If you've ever attended an Easter brunch—or gone to the store around the holiday—you're probably familiar with traditional Easter foods like ham and hot cross buns. "My mom used to make them and now I do, too," Ree Drummond says about the spiced, cross-embossed buns. Like Ree, many worldwide also whip up heirloom recipes for the holiday. But that's where the similarities end. For example, in Greece, baklava is dished out instead of the buns, while Italians indulge in a pizza-quiche hybrid (known as pizza rustica) on Easter.
For the Drummonds, Easter Sunday wouldn't be complete without deviled eggs and one of Ree's favorite ham recipes. But did you know that lamb is actually one of the more common main courses on Easter? Ham turned into the practical Easter alternative in the United States because it became more affordable in the 20th century. Like your favorite Easter traditions, many of these ethnic holiday foods have Easter origins that date back to ancient times. And they'd make great additions to your own Easter menu!
Here's another fun food fact: many cultures make some kind of sweet Easter bread. In Italy, it's adorned with colorful boiled eggs but in Greece red eggs on top is the tradition. Along with American, Italian, and French dishes, we've also included foods from Spain, Poland, Ukraine, and more. While these delicacies may be generations old, you may just find they're a fun new addition to your Easter dinner this year. So, go ahead and read on—you might just be inspired to try something new!
Stuffed Artichokes
In Italy, crispy stuffed artichokes are a classic Easter vegetable side dish. True to the traditional Sicilian preparation, these artichokes are filled with a flavorful mixture of olive oil, seasoned breadcrumbs, garlic, cheese, and fresh parsley.
Get the Stuffed Artichokes recipe.
Lentil Soup
Comforting lentil soup plays a significant role in Greek Easter traditions. Typically enjoyed during Lent, this hearty dish is made with just a few simple ingredients, including protein-packed lentils, fresh vegetables, and aromatic spices.
Get Ree's Lentil Soup recipe.
Asparagus Quiche
A colorful spring quiche often steals the spotlight at Easter spreads across America! Asparagus quiche, a popular variation served during Easter brunch, highlights fresh, vibrant flavors with ingredients like asparagus, dill, and green onions.
Get the Asparagus Quiche recipe.
Paska Bread
This beautiful braided loaf is a cherished tradition across Central and Eastern Europe. Often enjoyed with a sweetened cheese curd known as "hrudka," it’s just as delicious paired with ham, butter, or jam—or even turned into your favorite French toast!
Get the Paska Bread recipe.
Baklava
No Orthodox Easter feast is complete without a heaping plate of baklava to finish off the celebration! This beloved Greek dessert features countless layers of delicate phyllo dough, chopped nuts, and a rich syrup made from honey and cinnamon.
Get Ree's Baklava recipe.
Roast Leg of Lamb
A leg of lamb makes a show-stopping centerpiece in many French and British households. Tender and flavorful, it's coated in a garlicky Dijon mustard rub featuring fresh rosemary, parsley, and capers.
Get the Roast Leg of Lamb recipe.
Smoked Salmon
In many Scandinavian nations, salmon is a traditional component of the Easter menu. It can be baked, poached, or cured, often enjoyed as smoked salmon like in this recipe. Serve it on cucumber slices with sour cream and fresh dill for a delightful start to your Easter celebration.
Get the Cucumber-Smoked Salmon Bites recipe.
Lamb Stew
Lamb stew isn't just for St. Patrick's Day! In Ireland, the hearty soup filled with tender lamb, carrots, leeks, onions, and parsnips is often served on Easter.
Get Ree’s Lamb Stew recipe.
Honey-Mustard Glazed Ham
As Ree Drummond says, "In Oklahoma, ham is everything on Easter!" The same remains true for much of the United States, where a large, glazed ham serves as the centerpiece of the Easter feast. The tradition of eating ham became popular partly because pigs were slaughtered in the fall, cured throughout the winter, and ready to enjoy by springtime!
Get Ree's Honey-Mustard Glazed Ham recipe.
Pizza Rustica
This quiche-adjacent Italian dish roughly translates to "stuffed pizza." Dating back to the Middle Ages, this dish has been a traditional way for Italians to break their Lenten fast. The custard filling is packed with savory ingredients like deli meats and cheese.
Get the Pizza Rustica recipe.
Easter Bread
Sweet braided loaves, like this beautiful one, are a cherished Easter tradition in many countries. The three-strand braid symbolizes the Holy Trinity, while the colorful eggs represent rebirth and renewal.
Get the Easter Bread recipe.
Spanakopita
You can find this crisp spinach pie on Greek dinner tables all year, including Easter Sunday. A tray of this flaky dish can feed a crowd and is filled with seasonal spring spinach, scallions, and fresh herbs.
Get the Spanakopita recipe.
Pierogi
Ukraine, Poland, and many other Eastern European countries serve up some variation of these potato-stuffed dumplings on Easter. Luckily, you can find frozen pierogies at many grocery stores these days, which makes it easy to whip up this skillet dish with rich pan gravy and bite-sized meatballs.
Get the Pierogi recipe.
Candied Carrots
In both Europe and the United States, candied carrots are a common side dish for the Easter ham. Not only do they remind people of the legendary Easter Bunny, but the sweet flavor pairs perfectly with the saltiness from the roast.
Get Ree's Candied Carrots recipe.
Hot Cross Buns
While hot cross buns date back to ancient Greek times, today, they're enjoyed in an array of different countries, including England, Australia, and New Zealand, on Easter! One common trope associated with the treat is that friends who gift one another with hot cross buns are said to remain friends for life.
Get Ree's Hot Cross Buns recipe.
Dyed Eggs
Eggs are a common symbol of rebirth during the Easter season so it's no wonder dying them became such a worldwide tradition. Some say it started with early Christians in Mesopotamia who dyed eggs red, but these days you can find them in all sorts of colors, including vibrant pink in these beet-pickled eggs!
Get the Beet Pickled Eggs recipe.
Tzatziki
Another Greek speciality, Tzatziki (pronounced "za-zeekey") is a creamy yogurt-and-cucumber dip that's eaten year-round. But on Easter, it's particularly delicious with lamb, pita, or gyros.
Get the Tzatziki recipe.
Doughnuts
In Spain, these sugar-coated doughnuts are known as Rosquillas de Semana Santa. They’re typically made without yeast, so they have a cake-like texture similar to our apple cider doughnuts.
Get the Doughnuts recipe.
Asparagus
Of the many side dishes that go with ham, asparagus is one of the most colorful and delicious! It's a seasonal vegetable that pops up in early spring (just in time for Easter). It also happens to be a traditional side in Greece and Italy, too.
Get the Sautéed Asparagus recipe.
Deviled Eggs
Eggs are a classic Easter dish around the world. Whipped deviled eggs with dill are the perfect appetizer or snack at any party!
Get Ree's Deviled Eggs recipe.
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