22 Non-Traditional Easter Dinner Ideas

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Are you looking for something new and exciting for your Easter dinner? Adding a delicious new entrée, side dish, or dessert can invigorate your holiday table and one may even become a new family favorite.

There is nothing too unusual or particularly tricky in these recipes, they're simply great dishes that put a novel twist on the traditional Easter menu. Some are traditional in certain cultures, while others simply celebrate the best foods that the spring season has to offer. You might also like to try these vegetarian and vegan recipes.

01 of 22

Orange-Glazed Ham

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Ham is a popular feature of many Easter dinner tables. Honey and mustard glazes are not your only option, though. If you're looking for something a little different, give your ham a delicious orange glaze. The recipe is easy, using both orange juice and marmalade along with mustard, cloves, ginger, and raisins to maximize the flavor.
02 of 22

Kosher Lamb Stew With Apricot, Pear, and Mint

Sterling Epicure

To spice up your lamb offering, turn to a tasty combination of fresh fruits and herbs. This lamb stew is packed with flavor and the recipe is pretty simple. Your family is sure to enjoy the combination of citrus, apricots, pears, and mint with toasted almonds.
03 of 22

Coca-Cola Brisket

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Maybe you're leaning towards making beef the centerpiece of your holiday. In that case, you will want to try the Coca-Cola brisket recipe. It is both sweet and savory, requiring just a few common ingredients along with the soda. This is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
04 of 22

Easter Meatloaf

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A popular recipe in Eastern Europe, many of us don't think of serving meatloaf at Easter, but it works very well. This recipe combines veal and pork shoulder with everything that makes meatloaf a family favorite.

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05 of 22

Easter Lamb and Asparagus Frittata

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From Italy, the Easter lamb and asparagus frittata is a fantastic dish. Serve it as the main course for brunch or as a side with dinner. Either way, it's a fabulous way to enjoy two great ingredients that we associate most with spring.
06 of 22

Asparagus Risotto

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Asparagus is best in spring, which is why it's often found on the Easter dinner table. For a simple side dish that showcases the vegetable, asparagus risotto is a perfect choice. It is creamy and risotto is easier to make than you may think, especially with a few useful tips.
07 of 22

Pea and Mint Soup

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Peas and mint are a perfect flavor pairing and this luscious green soup proves it. The pea and mint soup recipe doesn't take long to make. The taste is sure to make everyone at the table take notice of your skills in the kitchen as well.
08 of 22

Buttermilk Sweet Potato Salad

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Make this fresh buttermilk sweet potato salad ahead of time and cross one of your Easter sides off the list. It's simple but very satisfying, combining sweet potatoes, onions, and celery drenched in a homemade dressing that anyone can pull off.

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09 of 22

Lentil Shepherd's Pie

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Shepherd's pie is a casserole that often serves as a main dish, but this vegan version can easily become a side. The lentil shepherd's pie uses the legumes in place of meat. The sage, garlic, oregano, and cayenne ensure the flavor is anything but bland.
10 of 22

Fig Crostini

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A tasty appetizer awaits with this simple and delightful fig crostini recipe. The figs are tossed in seasoned balsamic vinegar, placed on toasted baguettes, and topped with goat or blue cheese. These little bites are as tempting as they sound.
11 of 22

Polish Egg-Twist Bread

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Bread bakers are definitely going to want to try this chalka recipe from Poland. It is a simple egg bread that is braided to create a spectacular loaf that looks great on the dinner table. Better yet, the leftovers make great French toast or bread pudding, so you might want to make extra.
12 of 22

Roasted Rabbit With Fava Pesto

The Spruce / Pete Scherer

For an alternative to lamb, chicken, and ham, serve succulent roasted rabbit. Sitting atop a bed of bright green fava bean pesto, it's the ultimate springtime main dish. Try serving braised carrots on the side.

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13 of 22

Ukrainian Easter Bread

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Another special bread recipe, Ukranian Easter bread encourages you to play with the dough. You'll form a basic loaf from most of the dough and use the excess to create decorative shapes that fit the occasion. Make a cross, rosettes, or braids, but most of all have fun with it.
14 of 22

Chocolate Bread Pudding

The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni

Bread pudding is a favorite for many families, and chocolate bread pudding is even better. Made with chocolate chips, it's an easy recipe that's designed to satisfy a crowd. Pass chocolate sauce around the table with it so everyone can make it as gooey as they like.
15 of 22

Pistachio Lemon Bread

Lora Wiley-Lennartz

Looking for an extra special quick bread? You can't go wrong with a whole wheat pistachio lemon bread. This one can be ready within one hour and everyone will enjoy the sweet taste of pistachios topped with a lemon glaze.
16 of 22

Carrot Ring

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This is no ordinary carrot cake. It is far more savory than you would think and includes no sugar. The carrot ring is a healthy alternative to dessert and it makes a fantastic side dish, especially with brisket.

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17 of 22

Bananas Foster French Toast

Leah Maroney

Your Easter brunch just got a lot more interesting (and delicious!). Bananas foster French toast includes everything we love about both dishes in one simple pan. This breakfast casserole can be prepared the night before and popped into the oven whenever you like.
18 of 22

Passover Cheese Blintzes

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A tasty treat for brunch, cheese blintzes may not be the easiest thing to whip up in the kitchen, but they are worth the effort. These homemade crepes are filled farmer and cottage cheese and can be frozen until you need them. With potato starch, the recipe is gluten-free and perfect for Passover and Easter alike, though you can use flour as well.
19 of 22

Spring Chick Cookies

Elizabeth LaBau

Absolutely adorable and such fun to make, these spring chick cookies will add whimsy to your Easter dessert table. You only need four ingredients, two of which come from the candy aisle. They're cute, sweet, and a great project for kids.
20 of 22

Rum-Soaked Babka

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Babka is a popular Easter dessert and there are so many recipes to choose from. This rum-soaked babka is definitely a fun one that you'll want to try. After the leavened sponge cake is baked, it is dowsed in a sweet lemon and rum syrup, then decorated with all sorts of Easter candy.

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21 of 22

Strawberry and Cream Sponge Cake

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Oh, sweet strawberries! For the ultimate dessert that is sure to win the praise of all your dinner guests, go with this strawberry and cream sponge cake. It's surprisingly easy and the fresh strawberries and whipped cream are perfect for the spring holiday season.
22 of 22

Lavender Lemon Drop Martini

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Maybe you're looking for a springy adult beverage to serve guests. Few cocktails capture the sweet taste of the season like a lavender lemon drop martini. The floral flavor of lavender is perfect against the sour citrus, creating a drink that pairs perfectly with any food you choose to serve.