What does a Mediterranean Easter feast look like? This list of 21 Mediterranean Easter recipes gives you a pretty good idea. There is something for everyone in this round up of recipes. Ready to give your Easter menu a delicious Mediterranean twist?!
For people of the Mediterranean–particularly those of the Orthodox faith– Easter follows a 40-day fast called the Great Lent. Among other spiritual practices, during the fast, mainly humble vegan meals are encouraged.
When Easter Sunday arrives, following church celebrations, families gather around large tables filled with favorite Mediterranean dishes and delicacies. Lamb typically takes center stage, but delicious sides and colorful salads are equally important!
Want to give your Easter dinner a Mediterranean twist? Here is a list of favorite Mediterranean Easter recipes to choose from–some traditional, and others with a bit of a modern twist…
21 Mediterranean Easter Recipes
(click on linked recipe names see full recipes)
Main Course
Mediterranean Leg of Lamb Recipe with Potatoes! The ultimate Mediterranean-style leg of lamb recipe! Leg of lamb covered in a rub of fresh garlic, Mediterranean spices, olive oil and lemon juice. Roasted with potato wedges and onions. Step-by-step tutorial included!
Easy Orange Harissa Lamb Chops. Quick pan-seared lamb rack chops with harissa spice and a bright orange-garlic marinade.
Mediterranean Wine-Braised Lamb Shanks. The beauty of a one-pot-wonder right here! Mediterranean-spiced braised lamb shanks, cooked in a red wine and tomato sauce with vegetables, aromatics, and fresh herbs. Recipe comes with braising and slow-cooker instructions!
Roast Lamb Rack with Harissa and Herb-Pistachio Crust. Gorgeous presentation that takes literally 40 minutes start-to-finish!
Spatchcocked Chicken, spiced the Mediterranean way! Two small tricks make the BEST and crispiest spatchcocked chicken.
Cornish Game Hens with a Mediterranean Garlic-Spice Rub. Serve each person their very own hen! The hens take on a flavor-packed garlic spice rub before roasting. Every bit as juicy and succulent as they look.
Sides
Classic Greek Spanakopita. Crispy phyllo (fillo) pie with a comforting spinach and feta cheese filling. This is so much easier to prepare than you imagine! Check out the tutorial and video with the recipe.
Moussaka: Greek Eggplant Casserole. Layers of eggplant and potatoes with a glorious spiced meat sauce nestled in between! This recipe also comes with a tutorial; and you can prepare it ahead of time and reheat in the oven before serving.
Baked Rigatoni with Eggplants and Tomato. A bright and comforting casserole with roasted eggplant and a spiced meat sauce tucked in!
Mediterranean Hashweh Rice with Spiced Ground Beef, Nuts and Raisins. Layers of texture and flavor in this humble rice dis h.
My mom’s Stuffed Zucchini. Zucchini –or summer squash, if you prefer– are cored and stuffed with a special Mediterranean rice mixture. Then, they are baked in a light tomato sauce. The step-by-step tutorial is included with the recipe.
Roasted Greek Potatoes. Some of the lamb recipes above already include potatoes. But if you’re looking to make your potatoes separately, these should be it! Potato wedges take on a simple Mediterranean spice mixture, then roasted in a lemony broth with lots of garlic. The BEST!
Salads and Such
Balela Salad. Loaded Middle Eastern chickpea…tons of texture and flavor!
Greek Salad Recipe. Resist the temptation to add lettuce to this classic Greek salad. Serve it simply as they do in Greece with small blocks of feta on top!
Pearl Couscous Salad. Chockful of chopped fresh veggies, chickpeas, and artichoke hearts! Tossed in a garlic-dill dressing.
Mediterranean-Style Mustard Potato Salad. This is a no-mayonnaise potato salad with a bit of French influence. Filled with flavor from favorite spices, fresh herbs and capers.
Roasted Garlic Hummus. Because a Mediterranean feast is not complete without some creamy hummus dip. Of course, a bit of Greek Tzatziki sauce would also make a great addition!
Desserts
Greek Orange Honey Cake with Pistachios. An inspiration from the island of Aegina, where pistachios and honey from local beekeepers are aplenty. This easy cake is a must-try (Easter or not), perfectly moist with tons of flavor!
Bakalava (tutorial and video). Perfectly crisp, yet appropriately honeyed layers of phyllo
Basbousa: Almond Coconut Semolina cake (tutorial). My aunt Maha’s fuss-free recipe, and one of my favorite desserts of all time! An Egyptian egg-less cake made with semolina flour and drenched in cinnamon syrup. The coconut and almond topping adds great texture. You can prepare this cake a night or two ahead of time.
I hope this round-up of Mediterranean Easter recipes lends some inspiration to your Easter menu. Enjoy!
*Note: This post was originally published in 2017 and has been updated for readers’ benefit.
ROBERT CRAIG says
I STUMBLED ONTO YOUR SITE LOOKS GREAT, AS YOU DO. WONDERFUL RECIPES,. I PRINTED OUT 5 SO FAR, AND ADDED THEM TO MY COLLECTION. THANKS MUCH GOOD-LOOKING. KEEP CREATING
Suzy Karadsheh says
Robert, so glad to have you here! Thank you for giving the recipes a try!
Helene Rider says
My grandmother used to make stuffed cabbage with avolemono sauce. As much as I’ve tried it never comes out right. Do you have a RECIPE in your magic box (with pictures) that you might consider sharing. MY PROBLEM usually involves getting good cabbage leaves to fold and the lush look of and feel of the airy sauce that goes over it.
Love your site. Have done some shopping and made many of your recipes. I make a pretty good Easter bread so am going to be interested in your recipes next week
Suzy Karadsheh says
Hi Helene, my recipe for cabbage rolls is more Egyptian, from my mothers kitchen: https://www.themediterraneandish.com/vegetarian-stuffed-cabbage-rolls/
Kathleen Sibley says
Hi Suzy, thanks so much for sharing your yummy sounding recipes!
Although I’m more pretarian and I don’t eat dairy as well I can certainly adapt your recipes to suit and substitute the meat and cheese for other ingredients like vegan cheese sauce made with nutritional yeast.
The halibut, salad and vegetable dishes as well as the deserts all sound amazing, looking forward to trying them! Thanks again Suzy ?
Suzy Karadsheh says
Kathleen, thanks so much for sharing! I am glad you’re able to adapt the recipes to suit your needs! Love to hear your ideas.
Lois J Precht says
Oh my goodness, what beautiful, delicious food. I will definitely make all of these recipes. My favorite foods!!!!!
Suzy Karadsheh says
Thank you, Lois! I hope you’ll give them a try. Enjoy!
Bev Sheldon says
Do you have a hard copy cookbook?
Suzy Karadsheh says
Hi Bev. Hopefully in the near future 🙂 Thank you for your kind question.
Betty says
Beautiful Spring Recipes! Thank you for sharing!
Suzy Karadsheh says
Thank you, Betty! So glad you like’em
Darryl. Wennechuk says
Wonderful recipes,made my Easter weekend.Thanks
Suzy Karadsheh says
Glad to hear it!!!
Barbara says
I love your recipes !! Please send me your eCookbook. On the front it has a light green colored background then it has “The Mediterranean etc.” and below that, to the left, it says “15 recipes etc ” .. My husband was on my iPad while I was
at the doctors and messed up everything. Now when I search anything your page is not there. I see your cookbook daily and therefore I refer to it daily. What will I do without it ?? This incident just happened today !! Thought I’d let you know just how much your recipes have impacted my life with the healthy and varied recipes you provide ..
Thank you so much
Suzy Karadsheh says
Thank you so much, Barbara! I am glad you’re enjoying the recipes. Check your e-mail for the e-cookbook 🙂
Lynn says
Thank You for these fabulous recipes ! Wishing you a blessed Easter.
Carolyn says
I used to make many of these recipes all the time, but got into a rut of the same ol’ things. Thanks for reminding me there is a world of fresh flavors out there!
Suzy Karadsheh says
Hi Carolyn! I am so glad you stopped in to check out these recipes. Hope you’ll give some of them a try soon!
Platter Talk says
I’m doing an Easter dinner for 15 adults. Thanks for all these great ideas. This is the year I do something out of my norm and you’ve given me some great ideas!
Suzy Karadsheh says
That’s awesome, Dan! Enjoy!
Emily says
This is a great round-up! I’m so excited about Easter and am definitely pinning this for menu inspiration!
Suzy Karadsheh says
Yay! Can’t wait to hear which recipes you try!
Monica | Nourish & Fete says
Oh my goodness, what an incredible feast for the eyes. I want to try all of these! The hashweh rice especially – I need to make that right away!
Suzy Karadsheh says
Hashweh rice is so special…and super easy to make! I hope you do give it a try soon. Thanks so much!
Tina Dawson | Love is in my Tummy says
I absolutely love this roundup!!! Who knew so many meditteranean dishes fit the easter theme???!!!! I am going to go crazy picking things from this list to make for Easter this year!
Suzy Karadsheh says
Awesome, Tina! I can’t wait to hear which ones you try! Enjoy!!!
Rae says
If we were doing Easter this year I’d be making a few of these recipes.
Suzy Karadsheh says
These are also great for family dinners any time of the year! Hope you’ll get to try a few.