Easter Dinner Ideas (With a German Twist)

Q: What are some vegetarian options for a German-inspired Easter dinner?

The German Cucumber Salad , Shredded Beet Salad , and Roasted Root Vegetables are great vegetarian-friendly sides. You can also make a vegetarian version of the German Onion Tart by omitting the bacon.

Q: What is a traditional German Easter dish?

One of the most traditional German Easter foods is German Rosinenbrot (Raisin Bread) —a sweet, fruit-filled bread often enjoyed at Easter breakfast or brunch. For the main meal, dishes like schnitzel and Jägerschnitzel are popular choices in German households.

Q: What drinks pair well with a German Easter feast?

Classic Old Fashioned Lemonade and Raspberry Cordial are refreshing options that complement both savory and sweet dishes. If you're looking for a traditional German touch, consider serving a Riesling wine or a fruity spritzer to adults.

Easter dinner ideas should be festive, flavorful, and memorable. Easter is a time for family, celebration, and of course, delicious food!

This year, why not add a German twist to your holiday feast? German cuisine offers a delicious mix of hearty, comforting dishes and fresh, vibrant flavors. From classic Easter appetizers to satisfying main courses and indulgent desserts, these recipes will bring a unique and delicious flair to your celebration.

Easter Dinner Ideas (with a German twist)

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Easter Activities

Before diving into your Easter meal, get into the festive spirit with some traditional Easter activities! One classic and fun project for the whole family is naturally dyeing Easter eggs.

Using homemade Easter egg dye from natural ingredients like onion skins, turmeric, and red cabbage creates beautiful, unique colors while avoiding artificial chemicals.

Naturally Dyed Easter Eggs

Use vegetable scraps and spices to dye your Easter eggs this year. Making homemade Easter egg dye is a fun DIY craft kids and adults can both enjoy!

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A dozen naturally dyed easter eggs made with homemade easter egg dye

Easter Appetizer Ideas

Kick off your Easter feast with these flavorful German-inspired appetizers:

Caramelized Onion Tart (German Zwiebel Kuchen)

A deliciously simple caramelized onion tart.

With sweet caramelized onions, smoky bacon, and a creamy filling, this is a perfect start to your meal.

Serve with a simple green or garden salad.

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Perfect as an appetizer or entree, these German onion tarts even make a great lunch for work.

Cranberry Brie Pull Apart Bread

A festive and easy-to-share appetizer.

This pull-apart bread is made with gooey brie and tart cranberries, and adds a pop of color to your Easter spread.

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Close up image of cranberry brie pull apart bread in a cast iron skillen in an outdoor patio setting.

Warm Brie Crostini with Fresh Apple & Pomegranate

A perfect blend of sweet and savory and a delightful prelude to the main course!

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warm brie crostini's topped with a fresh apple and pomegranate salad on a black slate serving board

Easter Main Courses

A hearty, satisfying main course is the centerpiece of any Easter meal. Try these traditional and German-inspired dishes:

Pineapple & Honey Glazed Ham (Bone-In)

A classic Easter favorite, this ham is sweet, succulent, and full of flavor.

Glazed with sweet pineapple and honey for a beautifully caramelized finish.

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a honey a pineapple glazed ham on a serving platter with a carving fork stuck in the top

German Pork Schnitzel (Schweine Schnitzel)

Lightly breaded and fried until golden brown, pork schnitzel is a traditional German meal.

Served with fries, a wedge of fresh lemon, and parsley, it is an easy and delicious meal to make for Easter.

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authentic german pork schnitzel served with fries, a wedge of lemon, and parsley on a white plate

Jägerschnitzel (Hunter's Schnitzel)

Jägerschnitzel is a variation of the traditional German pork schnitzel and is served topped with a rich mushroom gravy.

Try this German favorite as a comforting and flavorful Easter main option!

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jägerschnitzel served with mashed potatoes and parsely on a barnboard tabletop

Pickled Herring Sandwich – A German Style Lunch

A unique light German-style lunch idea, pickled herring is packed with flavor and tradition.

Served on dark rye bread with beet and carrot slaw, red onion, and homegrown alfalfa sprouts.

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Use Sprouted Seeds on sandwhiches like this pickled herring sandwich.

Easter Side Dishes

Complement your main course with these delicious and colorful Easter side dishes:

Oven Roasted Baby Carrots

A simple and healthy side dish, roasted baby carrots cook in just under 30 minutes and add a pop of color and natural sweetness to your Easter table.

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oven roasted baby carrots on a sheetpan garnished with chives

Roasted Root Vegetable Medley

This healthy mix of roasted root vegetables seasoned with garlic and herbs is a perfect complement to rich main courses.

One of the easiest side dishes around.

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oven roasted root vegetable medley in a white porcelain bowl

Easter Salad Recipes

Balance out your Easter feast with a fresh and vibrant salad:

German Cucumber Salad (Gurkensalat)

A quick and refreshing German Cucumber Salad recipe with only 4 ingredients!

Perfect to serve alongside your Easter roasted meats!

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german cucumber salad garnished with dill in a glass bowl

Shredded beet salad with carrot, apple, and walnuts

Another simple and slightly sweet healthy salad to add extra color to your Easter table.

Using just a box grater, shred and mix beets, carrots, apples, and walnuts.

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Using just a simple box grater, this healthy shredded beet salad with, carrots, apples, and walnuts is a great side to any meal. Clean eating and Paleo friendly

Kale Slaw (With A Creamy Lemon Garlic Dressing)

This crunchy and flavor packed kale slaw recipe is another perfect side salad to the roasted Easter meats.

Dressed with a creamy lemon and garlic dressing, this is tangy classic.

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A simple kale slaw ready o be served at a family bbq or potluck

Mediterranean Couscous Salad

A simple Mediterranean couscous salad loaded with fresh veggies and herbs.

A refreshing, bright dish that pairs well with both meat and vegetarian Easter options.

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close up shot of Mediterranean Couscous Salad in a wooden bowl

Easter Sunday Desserts

More Easter Dinner Ideas: No Easter meal is complete without a sweet ending! These German-inspired treats like Rosinenbrot - German sweet bread - will leave your guests satisfied:

German Raisin Bread (Rosinenbrot)

Rosinenbrot or Raisin Bread is a traditional style of bread baked for and served on Easter Sunday.

A deliciously soft and fluffy loaf to serve as a dessert or for breakfast on Easter.

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sliced german rosinenbrot (raisin bread) displayed on a wooden cutting board, and surrounded by ingredients and a cookbook

Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble

Sweet strawberries combined with just enough tartness from the rhubarb, and a crisp topping all work together to create this mouth-watering dessert.

Serve it with freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to really make this dessert pop!

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a portion of strawberry rhubarb crumble topped with vanilla icecream

Lemon Meringue Tarts

These no-bake lemon meringue tarts are perfect for a Spring bunch dessert or served at any special occasion! Prepare all the components separately, for easy assembly before serving!

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Honey Panna Cotta with Cherries

A surprisingly simple yet stunning dessert, this Honey Panna Cotta, garnished with cherries & sponge toffee is sure to impress your Easter guests!

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A deliciously simple wildflower honey panna cotta perfect for any special occasion.

Easter Drinks

While an authentic German drink would be a beer or possibly a Riesling wine, depending on your tastes, here we have a few alternative non-alcoholic Easter drinks to quench your thirst this holiday season:

Old Fashioned Lemonade (Made From Scratch)

A simple old-fashioned lemonade recipe made with freshly squeezed lemons, sugar, and water.

The secret ingredience? The sugar syrup base for the the perfect sugar to lemon ratio every time!

A classic drink, perfect for the whole family.

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old fashioned lemonade served in a glass with a metal straw on a table outside

Raspberry Cordial - Inspired by Anne of Green Gables

Another classic old-fashioned fruity drink, made from fresh ingredients for your Easter table.

No food coloring or special sweeteners, only fresh raspberries, sugar, lemon, and water cooked into a thick cordial.

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A glass bottle and two glasses of raspberry cordial served outside in a garden setting

Easter Dinner Ideas - FAQs

Can I prepare any of these dishes ahead of time?

Yes! Many Easter dishes can be prepped in advance to save you time on Easter Sunday. The German Onion Tart and schnitzel can be made ahead and reheated (tart) or fried (schnitzel) before serving. German Raisin Bread can be baked a day or two in advance, and salads like German Cucumber Salad taste even better after marinating in the fridge for a few hours.

Related: Perfect Cranberry Scones

What are some vegetarian options for a German-inspired Easter dinner?

The German Cucumber Salad, Shredded Beet Salad, and Roasted Root Vegetables are great vegetarian-friendly sides. You can also make a vegetarian version of the German Onion Tart by omitting the bacon.

What is a traditional German Easter dish?

One of the most traditional German Easter foods is German Rosinenbrot (Raisin Bread)—a sweet, fruit-filled bread often enjoyed at Easter breakfast or brunch. For the main meal, dishes like schnitzel and Jägerschnitzel are popular choices in German households.

What drinks pair well with a German Easter feast?

Classic Old Fashioned Lemonade and Raspberry Cordial are refreshing options that complement both savory and sweet dishes. If you're looking for a traditional German touch, consider serving a Riesling wine or a fruity spritzer to adults.

What are traditional German Easter activities?

In Germany, families often celebrate by naturally dyeing Easter eggs. Easter egg hunts and festive meals are also common.

More German Recipes

If you loved this German-inspired Easter Dinner Ideas, try out some of our other traditional German foods such as these:

Final Thoughts

This Easter, embrace the flavors of Germany with these delicious and traditional dishes. Whether you’re indulging in a classic schnitzel, enjoying a vibrant salad, or finishing with a sweet Easter bread, there’s something for everyone at the table.
Frohe Ostern (Happy Easter)!

Easter Dinner Ideas (With a German Twist)