Planning Your Easter Menu
Taste of the South Dips Easter Menu Planning Guide:
Whether or not you’ll be at church on Easter Sunday, the holiday is a wonderful time to bring together family and friends for great company and fantastic food. Here’s our menu guide – with a little Taste of the South Dips twist – to help you start planning your menu:
Appetizers: Kick off your Easter feast with light and appetizing starters that set the tone for the meal ahead. Whether you’re hosting lunch after church or dinner, giving your guests a few snacks will help tide them over until it’s meal time. Here are a few ideas:
Deviled Eggs: A classic Easter appetizer that's easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. If you’re looking for a twist on this one, try using our Fried Pickle and Ranch Deviled Egg recipe.
Smoked Salmon Canapés: Elegant and flavorful, these bite-sized treats add a touch of sophistication to your spread. They are also pretty light, so your guests won’t fill up early. Check this low-carb recipe from Low-Carb Hoser.
Spring Vegetable Crudité: Fresh, crisp vegetables paired with a creamy dip make for a refreshing and healthy starter. Back home, we just call this one a veggie tray. You can always use our Farmstand Buttermilk Ranch Dip, but Bootlegger Beer Cheese, Pimento Cheese, Fried Pickle and Ranch and even Cast Iron Spinach Artichoke go wonderfully with vegetables.
Main Course: The centerpiece of your Easter menu, the main course should be hearty and satisfying. You can serve any protein (or vegan-friendly) option you’d like, but here are three Easter classics our families make:
Roast Leg of Lamb: A time-honored Easter favorite, seasoned with garlic, rosemary, and thyme for a fragrant and succulent dish (that’s also a little bit fancy for the holiday). The Mediterranean Dish says this recipe is no-fail, so we’d give it a shot!
Honey Glazed Ham: Sweet and savory, glazed ham is another classic choice that appeals to a wide range of tastes. You don’t need a recipe for this one – buy a pre-cooked ham, glaze it with any flavors you like and stick it in the oven to warm up!
Stuffed Roast Chicken: For those who prefer poultry, a beautifully roasted chicken stuffed with herbs and aromatics makes for a comforting main course. We’ll let Julia Child take this one.
Sides: Complement your main dish with a variety of flavorful sides that showcase the best of seasonal produce (or cozy comfort, depending on your style!)
Garlic Mashed Potatoes: Creamy and indulgent, mashed potatoes are a beloved side dish that pairs perfectly with roasted meats. If you want a little something extra, try making them with a hearty scoop of our Charleston Cheese and Bacon Dip.
Roasted Spring Vegetables: Asparagus, carrots, and new potatoes roasted with olive oil and herbs make for a colorful and delicious addition to your Easter table. They also don’t take a ton of work to prepare.
Spring Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette: A light and refreshing salad featuring tender greens, radishes, and strawberries, tossed in a tangy lemon vinaigrette. If you want to make your own dressing, check out this recipe from Love & Lemons.
Bread and Rolls: No Easter meal is complete without some warm, freshly baked bread to accompany the main course. If you’re looking for something more than Kings Hawaiian (which we love, of course), give this recipe a try: https://www.spendwithpennies.com/30-minute-dinner-rolls/. If you have a little more time, you could also try Braided Easter Bread: https://www.tastingtable.com/1239993/braided-easter-bread-recipe/.
Desserts: Indulge your sweet tooth with decadent desserts that celebrate the flavors of the season.
Carrot Cake: Moist and flavorful, carrot cake with cream cheese frosting is a quintessential Easter treat that's sure to impress. We’d like to try this recipe from Sugar Spun Run.
Vanilla Cream Cheese Fruit Pizza: If you have a Publix near you and can get our Vanilla Cream Fruit Dip – as well as a good selection of fresh fruit – this easy recipe is a colorful fan favorite.
Hot Cross Buns: Spiced and studded with dried fruit, hot cross buns are a traditional Easter dessert that's both delicious and symbolic. Here’s an easy recipe from Foodness Gracious.
To ensure a smooth and stress-free Easter celebration, plan your menu in advance and prepare whatever you can ahead of time. This will allow you to spend more time with your loved ones on Easter Sunday and less time in the kitchen!
