15 Traditional Easter Foods Eaten Around the World
Glazed ham and hot crossed buns are just the beginning.
If you've ever attended an Easter brunch, you're probably familiar with traditional Easter foods like glazed 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 they vary a lot depending on where you are for the holiday. For example, in Greece, baklava is dished out instead of the buns, while Italians indulge in a pizza-quiche hybrid known as pizza rustica.
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 holiday foods have Easter origins that date back to ancient times.
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. You'll find a few on this list to try in your own home! 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 on your own Easter menu!
Easter Bread
Sweet braided loaves are a cherished Easter tradition in many countries, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe. The three-strand braid of this beautiful loaf symbolizes the Holy Trinity, while the colorful eggs represent rebirth and renewal.
Get the Easter Bread recipe.
Glazed Ham
For much of the United States, 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 spring.
Get Ree's Apricot and Mustard Glazed Ham 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.
Deviled Eggs
"Devilling," which simply means stuffing hard-boiled eggs with seasonings, is a classic preparation that dates back to medieval Europe. They make a perfect appetizer or snack at any Easter celebration. You can try your hand at many delicious twists to wow your guests, too.
Get Ree's Deviled Eggs with Candied Bacon recipe.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Fish Cakes
During Good Friday before Easter, people in Germany will eat fish cakes or salmon and sauerkraut. This recipe for salmon cakes comes paired with a yellow and green salsa, perfect for the holiday!
Get the Salmon Cakes recipe.
Broccoli Salad
Greek Lemon Potatoes
Strawberry Pavlova
Pull-Apart Garlic-Herb Biscuits
