Top 10 Middle Eastern Easter Foods

How to Incorporate Middle Eastern Cuisine Into Your Easter Dinner

Written by
Saad Fayed
A restaurateur and food writer, Saad Fayed has published hundreds of recipes and articles about Middle Eastern cuisine.
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Saad Fayed
Updated 09/19/20

Contrary to popular belief, not all Middle Eastern people are Muslim. Actually, statistics show that up to 70% of Middle Eastern people living in the U.S. are of the Christian faith. With Easter Sunday approaching, Middle Eastern Christians are busy preparing their Easter menus. Here are some great Easter dinner ideas with a Middle Eastern twist.

  • 01 of 10

    Easy Roast Leg of Lamb

    Roast leg of lamb recipe

    The Spruce / Nita West 

    This is the perfect recipe for those who have never cooked lamb but have always wanted to try. Lamb is one of the most flavorful meats you can find, and nicely absorbs whatever spices you choose to use with it. This particular easy roast leg of lamb recipe only calls for a few simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand. This is one lamb dish that you cannot go wrong with.

  • 02 of 10

    Crown Lamb Roast

    A crown lamb roast
    bhofack2 / Getty Images

    A dish so fancy no one will ever know how easy it was to prepare! This elegant crown lamb roast is perfect for that special occasion dinner or a casual meal with the family. Mild seasoning adds delicious flavor to this dish that can be prepped and cooked in just over an hour.

  • 03 of 10

    Hard Boiled Eggs

    Hard boiled eggs with green onion garnish

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga 

    While hard boiling an egg may seem as simple as throwing some eggs in a pan of boiling water, we have a technique that will make the perfect hard boiled eggs. Aside from being cooked properly, these eggs will be easy to peel.

  • 04 of 10

    Date Nut Bread

    Date Nut Bread

    The Spruce 

    This is a wonderful bread that can be eaten at any time of the day. Date nut bread is the perfect addition to a hot cup of coffee, as a light, after-dinner dessert, or even as a quick breakfast on the go. Easy to make and homemade from scratch!

    Continue to 5 of 10 below.
  • 05 of 10

    Stuffed Dates

    Stuffed dates on a plate, with one on a spoon
    Aniko Hobel / Getty Images

    These stuffed dates are a sweet treat to go with your next coffee break! Dates are stuffed with almonds or pecans, rolled in powdered sugar and popped in your mouth for delicious fruit and nut combo!

  • 06 of 10

    Ma’amoul

    Four ma'amoul cookies on a tiny plate
    Abeerst / Getty Images

    A popular cookie-like pastry during celebrations, Ma’amoul can be stuffed with a variety of nuts or dates. The ingredients are easy to come by, and the dough is easy to prepare. You’ll find this pastry is so good you won’t want to reserve it just for special occasions!

  • 07 of 10

    Halva

    Packaged halva
    Alpaksoy / Getty Images

    Though there are many variations of halva recipes, this particular one hails from Iran. It requires only a handful of ingredients and can be prepared and finished in only twenty minutes. The perfect pastry that looks and tastes like it took all day to prepare!

  • 08 of 10

    Grilled Lamb Chops

    Lamb Chop

    James And James / Getty Images

    The recipe calls for a simple marinade and is perfect for both indoor and outdoor grills. Lamb is an extremely tasty meat that soaks up a marinade like no other. Grilled lamb chops can be served over rice or eaten alone for a tasty and healthy meal!

    Continue to 9 of 10 below.
  • 09 of 10

    Mechoui

    A mechoui roasting over a spit
    NicolasMcComber / Getty Images

    Mechoui is a roasted leg of lamb from Morocco. A great recipe for beginners, Mechoui is one of the more tender cuts of lamb and will come out perfect every time. Mild seasoning makes this dish perfect for the whole family!

  • 10 of 10

    Spit Roasted Whole Baby Lamb

    Spit roasted lamb
    George M. Groutas / Flickr / CC By 2.0

    Split roasted whole baby lamb is a unique dish popular in the Middle East. This recipe requires some tools you may not have in your kitchen, but should you ever venture to try roasting on a spit than this is the recipe to try it. Roasting on a spit requires time and effort, but the results are worth it to have a meal you will never forget!