As we near the conclusion of the Lenten season, thoughts turn to Good Friday—a significant day marking the culmination of Lent just before Easter Sunday. In line with the observances of this holiday, adherents of various Catholic traditions abstain from meat consumption on Fridays throughout Lent. Hence, you might be on the lookout for enticing Good Friday recipes.
With many individuals coming together to partake in meals, the quest for delightful recipes becomes imperative in preparation for the forthcoming Easter weekend celebrations. If you're in search of inventive meatless dishes to savor this Friday, your search ends here. We've handpicked a selection of our finest Good Friday recipes to inspire your culinary endeavors.
Among these recipes, you'll find some that are entirely vegetarian, featuring ingredients such as lentils, chickpeas, mushrooms, and robust vegetables to craft unforgettable dishes. Others integrate seafood such as scallops, salmon, shrimp, and tuna.
Continue reading to uncover the ideal Good Friday feast, whether you're dining solo, with your family, or sharing with members of your community.
1) Scallops with Chimichurri
When you think of "chimichurri," steak might be the first thing that comes to mind. However, if you've never experienced this herbaceous sauce paired with scallops, Good Friday presents a perfect opportunity to do so! The gentle flavor of scallops harmonizes beautifully with the robustness of parsley, red wine vinegar, and garlic, ensuring you won't miss the red meat at all.
2) Spicy Grilled Calamari Salad
Calamari might not appeal to everyone due to its chewier texture, but if you're a seafood enthusiast, this simple salad recipe is sure to delight your taste buds. Featuring squid, lime, watercress, fish sauce, cucumber, tomato, onion, and peanuts, this calamari salad boasts a burst of flavors and intriguing textures.
3) Vegetarian Portobello Mushroom Burger
Portobello mushroom caps serve as superb substitutes for burgers, thanks to their shape, size, and capacity to absorb any sauce they're paired with. This mushroom burger recipe is perfect for satiating savory cravings on Good Friday and can provide a satisfying meal without the need for meat. Opt for whole-grain buns for an extra dose of fiber if desired.
4) Baked Crab Cakes with Mango-Avocado Salsa
You've probably indulged in crab cakes before, but you've never experienced them quite like this. Teamed up with a simple-to-prepare mango and avocado salsa, this meatless dish promises a burst of flavors that will linger in your memory long after Good Friday.
5) Vegetarian Pesto Gnocchi
Harnessing the power of pesto is a surefire method to infuse your beloved pasta dishes with a wealth of flavor, especially when you opt for pre-packaged potato gnocchi. With ingredients like tomatoes, mozzarella, green beans, gnocchi, and pesto, this vegetarian-friendly dish is an ideal choice for the upcoming Good Friday holiday.
6) Shrimp Fra Diavolo
Unlike many seafood pastas that tend to overwhelm with heavy cream and butter, this traditional Italian dish keeps it simple with a seasoning of white wine, garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes for a hint of heat. This approach ensures that you can savor the flavor of the shrimp itself, rather than just the sauce.
7) Vegetarian Stuffed Tomatoes
For those observing a strictly vegetarian diet on Good Friday, fish might not be on the menu. These herby stuffed tomatoes offer an impressive centerpiece dish that perfectly complements a bed of rice, creating a satisfying holiday meal.
8) Honey-Mustard Glazed Salmon With Roasted Asparagus
Salmon stands out as the dependable crowd-pleaser among seafood choices, making it an excellent option for your holiday centerpiece. Additionally, the 3-minute honey mustard sauce serves as a versatile seafood accompaniment to have on hand for future culinary endeavors.
9) Thai Scallop Curry with Zucchini Noodles & Shiitake Mushrooms
For an intimate Good Friday dinner for two, indulge in this wonderfully flavored seared scallop dish. Enhanced with fire-roasted diced tomatoes, fresh ginger, and curry powder, it boasts a festive flair without requiring you to spend all day in the kitchen.
10) Pesto-topped grilled Swordfish Steak
Certainly, you have the option to use homemade pesto if you prefer, but a pre-made jar of the sauce will work just as effectively—and chances are your guests won't even notice the difference. Utilize it to marinate swordfish steaks before commemorating what might mark the first grilled dinner of the season.
11) Crisp Cornmeal Catfish with Corn Salsa
Immerse yourself in a truly Southern Good Friday experience with this delectable seafood recipe. A coating of cornmeal ensures that the pan-seared catfish stays crispy without requiring deep frying, while the corn, black bean, and avocado salsa gets a refreshing kick from a generous squeeze of lime juice.
12) Grilled Mahi-Mahi with Salsa Verde
You may have enjoyed salsa verde with beef tacos in the past, but it's equally delightful when served alongside a grilled fish fillet. While the Mexican version of this green condiment typically features tomatillos, the Italian rendition consists of parsley, anchovies, capers, and lemon juice, offering a unique and flavorful twist.
13) Seared Ahi Tuna in a Ginger-Scallion Sauce
The beauty of a fish-based main course is that despite its impressive appearance, it often requires minimal prep time. This holds true in this recipe, where searing the tuna takes mere minutes, while assembling the ginger, scallions, soy sauce, and rice wine vinegar for the flavor-packed sauce takes even less time.
14) Homemade 3-Cheese Ravioli with Cherry Tomatoes
There's something undeniably special about homemade pasta, even if you take a clever shortcut by using pre-made wonton wrappers instead of crafting your 3-cheedough. The classic trio of mozzarella, Parmesan, and ricotta takes center stage, alongside lightly crushed tomatoes and fresh basil, resulting in a delightful dish that's sure to impress.
15) Farmers' Market Pasta with Walnut Pesto
Here's the ultimate non-recipe recipe for an exceptional pasta main. While it celebrates fresh vegetables and herbs, the details are entirely customizable based on what's available at the market, in your CSA delivery, or simply your mood.
16) Shrimp Scampi
No holiday meal is complete without the presence of garlic butter, and it certainly makes an appearance at this pasta party. A splash of lemon adds a refreshing contrast to the richness of the creamy sauce. And let's not forget to serve some crusty bread on the side—it's perfect for mopping up any leftover sauce on your plate.
17) Linguini with Clams
Unlike the typical restaurant rendition where the clam-to-linguine ratio often falls short, this version of the classic Italian pasta dish turns the tables. Featuring a bed of linguine generously adorned with clams and vibrant herbs, it serves as a showstopping (and delectable) centerpiece for dinner.
18) Panzanella with Marinated Chickpeas and Chimichurri
Panzanella is a salad that puts bread at the forefront, making it substantial enough to serve as a main course. Every element, from the protein-rich chickpeas and crumbled feta to the hearty chunks of Italian bread, is infused with the flavors of vinegar, oil, and herbs.
19) Brazilian Seafood Stew
Moqueca, a traditional fish stew from Brazil, commands your undivided attention. With a variety of popular fish options such as tilapia, salmon, or cod, each one absorbs the spiced tomato sauce, resulting in a delightfully flavorful dish.
20) Salmon Wellington
Beef Wellington shouldn't hog all the spotlight. This Good Friday, impress everyone with your culinary prowess by encasing salmon, spinach, and Parmesan in flaky puff pastry. Get ready to witness jaws drop as you unveil this delectable creation.
21) Garlicky Brown Butter Mushroom Risotto
When the forecast predicts one of those chilly, rainy April days, a comforting Good Friday meal becomes a necessity. The aroma alone of this mushroom-infused risotto, enhanced by the richness of brown butter, will envelop everyone in a warm and comforting embrace. And rest assured, it tastes just as divine as it smells.
22) Crispy Pan-Seared Halibut with Tomato Basil Quinoa
With this all-in-one cast iron halibut dish, there's no need to hunt for the perfect side dish. Once you've pan-seared the fish, you can use the same pan to prepare the tomato, olive, and basil quinoa, making cleanup surprisingly easy.
23) Potato and Wild Mushroom Burrata Pizza
Friday night will forever be pizza night in our hearts. This homemade version is still elegant enough to grace a holiday table, featuring basil pesto, fontina cheese, thyme-roasted mushrooms, and decadent dollops of creamy burrata.
24) Celery Root Puree with Roasted Balsamic Vegetables
Get ready to surprise and delight a table full of vegetarians: first with a health-conscious celery root puree that looks and feels like mashed potatoes, then with sweet, tangy roasted vegetables that will fill them up.
25) Portobello Pot Roast
Pot roasts are a timeless holiday favorite, but the traditional meat-centric version doesn't quite align with Good Friday traditions. In this rendition, mushrooms provide the hearty texture while retaining all the essential flavor components that define the dish. And of course, don't forget the egg noodles to complete the full pot roast experience.
26) Salmon and Veggies in Foil Packs
Your family might just mistake Good Friday for Christmas when you serve up the delightful surprise of individually wrapped salmon parcels, each containing thinly sliced vegetables. And if the weather cooperates, feel free to grill them for an extra layer of flavor and charm.
27) Baked Salmon with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
Single-plate marvels can elevate your holiday feast, offering a dazzling centerpiece as you carry it triumphantly into the dining area. This particular creation boasts a luscious red pepper sauce infused with roasted nuts, tomatoes, and garlic, all smoothly blended for ultimate creaminess.
28) Cauliflower Steaks with Everyday Lemon Tahini Dressing
Traditional steaks might not be an option, but cauliflower steaks are certainly on the menu. It's difficult to determine what's most delightful: the tender cauliflower slabs, the vibrant and versatile dressing, or the refreshing parsley salad topping.
29) Seared Chilean Sea Bass with Potatoes and Herb Sauce
Channel your inner culinary aficionado for this dish, reminiscent of a classic French restaurant creation. The "green sauce" derives its name from three distinct green ingredients—celery, leeks, and cilantro—while the yogurt garnish imparts a velvety texture without overwhelming the flavors.
30) Vegan Truffle Mac and Cheese
Go all out this Good Friday with a casserole that screams hospitality, infused with the luxurious essence of truffle oil and truffle salt. And the best part? It's entirely dairy-free, thanks to the use of nutritional yeast and almond milk.
31) Pressure Cooker Sesame Cod
It's ironic how pressure cookers relieve the pressure from most of the cooking process. With this recipe, you can even start with frozen ingredients. Simply place the cod fillets on a bed of sliced zucchini, red pepper, and lemon, and let the pressure cooker do the rest.
32) Spinach Artichoke Spaghetti Squash
Picture a meal that's akin to spinach artichoke dip but entirely acceptable to enjoy as a main course. Packed with cheese for maximum deliciousness, this dish offers versatility. Whether you opt for oven baking, microwaving, slow cooking, or Instant Pot preparation for the squash, you're guaranteed a satisfying Good Friday meal.
33) Homemade Fettuccine with Creamy Tomato Basil Sauce and Shrimp
When it comes to holiday dinners, nothing quite matches the allure of homemade pasta. While the ingredients may seem basic, it's the incorporation of fresh pasta and the addition of succulent shrimp that elevate it beyond your ordinary weeknight pasta dish.
34) Spring Veggie White Matzo Lasagna
This year, as Good Friday coincides with Passover, celebrate both occasions with a unique fusion meal. Swap traditional pasta sheets for layers of matzo in your lasagna. And if you're worried about the dish feeling too wintry, fear not—the inclusion of chives, peas, and leeks gives it a fresh and unmistakably springtime flair.
35) Mexican Sweet Potato Quinoa Casserole
Casseroles provide a convenient one-dish solution for holiday meals. With this recipe, there's no need for additional side dishes. Plus, with ingredients like salsa, quinoa, canned beans, and onions, you might even find that you already have everything you need on hand.
36) 10-Minute Maple Crusted Salmon
When aiming for a memorable holiday meal, time can often be a constraint. However, fear not! This sweet and spicy salmon is here to save the day. It's a time-efficient main dish that doesn't compromise on flavor, ensuring your meal remains impressive without sacrificing precious time.