Menu and Easy Recipes from Good Friday to Easter Monday

If you have decided to spend Easter at home with family, sharing calm and lovely time together, this is a simple idea of what to prepare for the Easter celebration from Good Friday to Easter Monday. You do not need a restaurant-style feast to make the weekend feel special. A warm kitchen, a few traditional dishes, a homemade dessert and a nicely set table can create exactly the kind of Easter many families love most.

This UK-style Easter menu keeps things practical and cosy. Good Friday is lighter, Holy Saturday is for baking and preparing, Easter Sunday brings the main roast meal, and Easter Monday is relaxed with easy leftovers, brunch and comforting food.

Why a 4-Day Easter Menu Works So Well

Planning the menu across the whole Easter weekend makes shopping easier, saves money and helps you enjoy the holiday instead of spending it stressed in the kitchen. It also lets you reuse ingredients in smart ways.

For example:

eggs can be used for breakfasts, salads and baking
potatoes can become roasties, mash or potato salad
leftover roast lamb or chicken can turn into sandwiches, pies or a Monday lunch
desserts can be baked a day ahead

With a little planning, Easter at home feels both festive and easy.

Good Friday Menu: Light, Traditional and Comforting

Good Friday meals are often simpler and lighter. Many families in the UK choose fish, soup, vegetables or meat-free dishes. This day is perfect for a calm start to the Easter weekend.

Good Friday Breakfast

Hot Cross Buns with Butter and Jam

A classic Good Friday breakfast in the UK.

You will need:

4 hot cross buns
butter
strawberry jam or marmalade

How to prepare:

Slice the hot cross buns in half.
Toast lightly if you like them warm.
Spread with butter while still warm.
Add a little jam or marmalade.

Serve with: tea, coffee or a glass of orange juice.

Good Friday Lunch

Creamy Tomato Soup with Cheese Toasts

Simple, warming and easy for the whole family.

You will need:

1 onion, chopped
1 tbsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 tins chopped tomatoes
500ml vegetable stock
2 tbsp double cream
salt and pepper
dried basil or oregano

For the cheese toasts:

4 slices bread
grated Cheddar

How to prepare:

Heat the oil in a saucepan and cook the onion for 5 minutes until soft.
Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
Add tomatoes, stock and herbs.
Simmer for 15–20 minutes.
Blend until smooth, then stir in the cream.
Season to taste.

Cheese toasts:

Toast one side of the bread.
Turn over, sprinkle with Cheddar and grill until bubbling.

Good Friday Dinner

Baked Salmon with Lemon, New Potatoes and Green Beans

A lovely UK-style fish supper for Good Friday.

You will need:

4 salmon fillets
1 lemon
2 tbsp olive oil
salt and black pepper
fresh parsley or dill
750g new potatoes
250g green beans

How to prepare:

Heat the oven to 200°C.
Put the salmon in a baking dish.
Drizzle with olive oil, squeeze over lemon juice, season and add herbs.
Bake for 15–18 minutes.
Boil the new potatoes until tender.
Steam or boil the green beans for 4–5 minutes.

Serve with: extra lemon wedges and a little butter over the potatoes.

Good Friday Dessert

Easy Lemon Drizzle Cake

Fresh, bright and perfect for spring.

You will need:

175g butter
175g caster sugar
3 eggs
175g self-raising flour
zest of 2 lemons

For the drizzle:

juice of 2 lemons
100g icing sugar

How to prepare:

Heat the oven to 180°C.
Cream butter and sugar together.
Beat in the eggs one at a time.
Fold in flour and lemon zest.
Spoon into a loaf tin and bake for 35–40 minutes.
Mix lemon juice and icing sugar.
Pour over the warm cake.

Holy Saturday Menu: Preparation Day with Easy Family Food

Holy Saturday is the best day to get ready for Easter Sunday. It is ideal for baking, decorating eggs and prepping side dishes. Meals should be easy and not too heavy.

Holy Saturday Breakfast

Yogurt with Honey, Berries and Granola

A quick breakfast before a day of baking and Easter prep.

You will need:

Greek yogurt
honey
fresh berries
granola

How to prepare:
Spoon yogurt into bowls, add berries, granola and a drizzle of honey.

Holy Saturday Lunch

Jacket Potatoes with Cheddar, Beans and Salad

Very British, easy and filling.

You will need:

4 large baking potatoes
butter
grated Cheddar
baked beans
side salad

How to prepare:

Heat the oven to 200°C.
Prick the potatoes with a fork and bake for 1 hour or until soft inside.
Warm the beans.
Split the potatoes open, add butter, Cheddar and baked beans.

Serve with: a simple green salad.

Holy Saturday Dinner

One-Tray Roast Chicken Pieces with Carrots and Onions

Easy to make and easy to clean up.

You will need:

6 chicken thighs or drumsticks
4 carrots, chopped
2 onions, cut into wedges
2 tbsp olive oil
salt, pepper and dried thyme
500g baby potatoes

How to prepare:

Heat the oven to 200°C.
Put the chicken and vegetables into a roasting tray.
Drizzle with olive oil and season.
Roast for 40–45 minutes, turning once.

This is also a good day to boil eggs, prep vegetables and bake desserts for Sunday.

Holy Saturday Bake

Classic Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Topping

A perfect Easter bake in the UK style.

You will need:

250g grated carrots
200g self-raising flour
175g light brown sugar
2 eggs
150ml sunflower oil
1 tsp cinnamon
50g chopped walnuts, optional

Topping:

200g cream cheese
75g icing sugar
little orange or lemon zest, optional

How to prepare:

Heat the oven to 180°C.
Mix eggs, oil and sugar.
Stir in flour, cinnamon and carrots.
Add walnuts if using.
Bake in a round tin for 35–40 minutes.
Cool fully.
Mix cream cheese with icing sugar and spread on top.

Easter Sunday Menu: The Main Family Celebration

Easter Sunday is the centre of the weekend. In many UK homes, this means a roast lunch, roast potatoes, seasonal veg, gravy and a proper dessert.

Easter Sunday Breakfast

Boiled Eggs, Toast Soldiers and Fresh Fruit

A simple, cheerful breakfast before the main meal.

You will need:

eggs
bread
butter
salt and pepper
fruit platter

How to prepare:

Boil eggs for 6–7 minutes.
Toast the bread and cut into strips.
Serve with butter and fruit.

Easter Sunday Main Meal

Roast Lamb with Rosemary, Garlic and Mint Sauce

A classic Easter centrepiece in the UK.

You will need:

1 leg of lamb
4 garlic cloves, sliced
2 tbsp olive oil
fresh rosemary
salt and black pepper

How to prepare:

Heat the oven to 190°C.
Score the lamb lightly.
Push slices of garlic and rosemary into the cuts.
Rub with oil, salt and pepper.
Roast for about 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes, depending on size and how well done you like it.
Rest for at least 20 minutes before carving.

Easter Sunday Side Dish 1

Crispy Roast Potatoes

You will need:

1.5kg potatoes
goose fat or vegetable oil
salt

How to prepare:

Peel and cut potatoes into chunks.
Boil for 8 minutes.
Drain and shake them in the pan to roughen the edges.
Put into hot fat or oil in a roasting tray.
Roast at 200°C for 45–55 minutes, turning once.

Easter Sunday Side Dish 2

Honey-Glazed Carrots

You will need:

500g carrots
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp honey

How to prepare:

Boil or steam carrots until just tender.
Melt butter in a pan.
Add honey and toss the carrots through until glossy.

Easter Sunday Side Dish 3

Garden Peas with Butter and Mint

You will need:

300g peas
small knob of butter
chopped mint

How to prepare:
Cook peas for 3–4 minutes, drain, then stir in butter and mint.

Easter Sunday Sauce

Quick Mint Sauce

You will need:

3 tbsp chopped fresh mint
2 tbsp boiling water
1 tbsp sugar
3 tbsp malt vinegar

How to prepare:
Mix everything together and leave for 10 minutes before serving.

Easter Sunday Dessert

Traditional Trifle

A proper British family dessert for a celebration.

You will need:

sponge cake or Swiss roll
fruit jam
tinned fruit or berries
custard
whipped cream
flaked almonds or sprinkles, optional

How to prepare:

Put sponge in the bottom of a glass bowl.
Spread with jam.
Add fruit.
Spoon over custard.
Chill.
Top with whipped cream before serving.

Easter Monday Menu: Relaxed, Cosy and Great for Leftovers

Easter Monday should feel easy. This is the day to use leftover roast meat, potatoes, eggs and salad items in a simple, satisfying way.

Easter Monday Brunch

Egg Mayo and Cress Sandwiches

A very British Easter Monday idea.

You will need:

4 boiled eggs
3 tbsp mayonnaise
salt and pepper
cress
sliced bread

How to prepare:

Peel and chop the eggs.
Mix with mayonnaise, salt and pepper.
Spread onto bread and add cress.
Cut into triangles.

Easter Monday Lunch

Leftover Lamb and Potato Pie

A comforting dish that uses Easter Sunday leftovers beautifully.

You will need:

leftover roast lamb, chopped
leftover gravy
1 onion, chopped
leftover carrots or peas
mashed potatoes for topping
little butter

How to prepare:

Heat the oven to 190°C.
Fry the onion until soft.
Add chopped lamb, leftover veg and gravy.
Spoon into an oven dish.
Top with mashed potatoes and a little butter.
Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden.

Easter Monday Dinner

Cold Easter Platter

Perfect when nobody wants another big cooked meal.

Include:

sliced leftover lamb or chicken
boiled eggs
cheeses
crusty bread or rolls
pickles or chutney
salad leaves
coleslaw or potato salad

Arrange everything on one large board or platter and let everyone help themselves.

Easter Monday Dessert

Bread and Butter Pudding

Simple, old-fashioned and comforting.

You will need:

8 slices bread
butter
raisins
2 eggs
500ml milk
50g sugar
a little nutmeg or cinnamon

How to prepare:

Heat the oven to 180°C.
Butter the bread and cut into triangles.
Layer in a dish with raisins.
Whisk eggs, milk and sugar.
Pour over the bread.
Sprinkle with nutmeg.
Bake for 30–35 minutes.

Easy Easter Shopping List

To make this menu easier, here is a simple combined shopping list.

Fresh ingredients

lamb
salmon
chicken thighs or drumsticks
eggs
potatoes
carrots
onions
green beans
peas
lemons
berries
fresh mint
rosemary
garlic
salad leaves
cress

Fridge ingredients

butter
Cheddar
cream cheese
double cream
milk
yogurt

Cupboard ingredients

chopped tomatoes
baked beans
flour
sugar
self-raising flour
honey
olive oil
granola
jam
custard
bread
hot cross buns
raisins

Tips to Make Easter at Home Feel Extra Special

Even simple meals can feel beautiful with a few touches:

use pastel napkins or a spring tablecloth
place flowers or decorated eggs on the table
bake one dessert the day before
let children help make the trifle or decorate cupcakes
serve meals slowly and enjoy the moment

The loveliest Easter memories are usually made from calm family time, homemade food and a welcoming table.

Final Thoughts

A UK-style Easter menu at home can be simple, traditional and full of warmth. Good Friday can stay light and peaceful, Holy Saturday can be used for preparation and baking, Easter Sunday can bring the full roast celebration, and Easter Monday can be relaxed and comforting with leftovers turned into something delicious again.

The main idea is not perfection. It is enjoying the Easter weekend with family, sharing food, slowing down and making the home feel festive in an easy, natural way.

FAQ

What is a traditional UK Easter meal?

A traditional UK Easter meal often includes roast lamb, roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables, gravy, mint sauce and a dessert such as trifle or carrot cake.

What do people eat on Good Friday in the UK?

Many people choose lighter meals on Good Friday, often fish dishes, soup, vegetables or simple meat-free meals.

What can I make for Easter Monday with leftovers?

Leftover roast lamb or chicken can be used for sandwiches, pies, cold platters, wraps or salads.

What desserts are popular for Easter in the UK?

Carrot cake, lemon drizzle cake, hot cross buns, trifle and bread and butter pudding are all popular choices.

How can I make Easter at home feel special on a budget?

Cook simple traditional meals, bake one homemade dessert, decorate the table with flowers or eggs and use leftovers creatively across the weekend.

Can I prepare Easter food in advance?

Yes. Desserts, boiled eggs, chopped vegetables and some side dishes can all be prepared a day ahead to make Easter Sunday easier.

If you want, I can now make this into a more luxurious Easter version, a cheap budget Easter version, or a shorter homepage-style article with recipe cards format.