While there are a lot of Easter traditions, including egg hunts, baskets, and jelly beans, dinner menus aren’t set. Unlike Thanksgiving, which includes dishes that everyone expects, anything goes this spring holiday. So why not change things up with a turkey dinner Easter?
Your menu can be as simple or complicated as you make it with turkey. You likely don’t cook it too often, so it’s a treat to diners and pretty well-liked.
So, let’s put the ham and lamb down and make a new tradition. Here are 17 plus options for a fabulous turkey dinner for Easter.
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Is Turkey A Traditional Easter Dinner?
No! While many Americans enjoy turkey on major holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, it is not typically served on Easter. Lamb and ham are more popular main dishes for the occasion.
Serving lamb goes back 3,000 to the Jewish holiday, Passover, commemorating the exodus of Israelites’ liberation and their exodus from Egypt. An integral part of the event was a sacrificial lamb, so much so that many would put lamb blood on their front doors.
As people converted religions, many kept the tradition alive. It lost popularity when lamb became less plentiful in the United States. During World War II, lamb production boomed as the government needed wool.
Ham has a much more straightforward rationale for its popularity. It is traditionally part of the Easter menu because it is in season.
What Is Included In A Traditional Easter Dinner
Besides the traditional Easter ham or lamb, there aren’t too many specific meal components. Many people serve deviled eggs as an appetizer.
As for side dishes, unlike Thanksgiving, there aren’t many standard foods. Some Americans choose foods that celebrate the arrival of Spring. That includes vegetables like asparagus and peas.
As for desserts, lighter fare is popular. Many dessert tables have lemon-flavored items. Also popular are lamb and bunny-shaped cakes.
What Is A Good Easter Dinner?
A good Easter dinner is when you enjoy cooking, and your guests enjoy eating. Most people focus on lighter, spring-inspired fare. Here’s a simple Turkey Easter Dinner we love (and you can make most of it ahead).
Appetizer
Deviled Eggs
Main Course
Turkey Breast
Side Dishes
Red Mashed Potatoes
Roasted Asparagus
Arugula Salad
Dessert
Lemon Bundt Cake
Early spring vegetables include asparagus, peas, fava beans, spinach, and artichokes. Lighter items also include lemon and mint.
Should You Eat Meat On Easter?
Abstaining from eating meat is typical for Fridays during Lent; there aren’t many restrictions for Easter Sunday.
Until 1966, the Church asked Catholics to avoid meat every Friday, not just the seven during the Lenten season.
Menus For Turkey Dinner Easter
All of these options complement one another. Pick a main dish, several sides, and a dessert (or two) from the list below for the perfect turkey Easter dinner.
Main Course
Your turkey dinner for Easter doesn’t need to involve a whole bird. Here are other ways to incorporate this meat into the meal.
Turkey Breast
There’s no need to spend hours cooking to enjoy turkey on Easter. Turkey breast cooks in a fraction of the time. It’s perfect for a smaller group. If you’ve never made one, Damn Delicious has an excellent recipe that is easy to follow and produces flavorful results.
Costco Turkey Breast
Costco turkey breast may be the easiest way to get Easter dinner on the table in a flash. It cooks in under an hour. Our sister site, Warehouse Wanderer, has everything you need to know about this delicious main dish.
Whole Turkey
Cooking a whole turkey intimidates most home cooks, myself included. But after several successful meals with turkey, I’m here to tell you, you can do it! Food Network has a simple-to-follow recipe I recommend for beginners. They take time to cook, so plan your day around it. It may not be your best bet if you are heading out the door to church in the morning.
Turkey Legs
Popular in Epcot, turkey legs are a great addition to your Easter meal. They are easy to prepare and fun to eat! These are perfect if you want an informal celebration—plan for one turkey leg per person.
Turkey Dinner Easter — Side Dish Ideas
Mashed Potatoes
Scalloped Potatoes
Corn Casserole
Honey Cornbread
Arugula Salad
Deviled Eggs
Cole Slaw
Roasted Asparagus
Turkey Dinner Easter — Desserts
Lamb Cake – Use this mold from Amazon to create a lamb cake with a boxed cake mix.
What Do You Think?
Have we convinced you to have a turkey dinner Easter? What will you be serving? Let me know in the comments below; I’d love to know. Check out our other meal plans for inspiration.
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