Good Friday Food
Good Friday Food
Good Friday is a solemn, sacred day in the life of a Christian, and when it comes to food, those who do observe Good Friday can take a few different approaches. For many Catholics, Good Friday is a day of fasting and abstinence—basically, “putting food aside” as my BFF Hyacinth explained. Other observers of Good Friday take the seafood-only route as they do every Friday during Lent, saying no to meat, chicken, and pork. Still others take a vegetarian/meatless approach, forsaking all meat of every kind. I grew up Episcopalian and am now Presbyterian, and through the years I’ve found that how one approaches food on Good Friday is a very individual and personal thing.
To cover all bases, here are some Good Friday recipe options for you!
SEAFOOD ONLY
Beef, pork, chicken, and other meats are verboten on Good Friday, but fish is permissible for many observers. Here are a few options if that’s the way you like to go!
Shrimp Scampi. A quick-and-easy pasta dish everyone goes crazy for (especially my oldest child!)
Tuscan Bean Soup with Shrimp. If it’s still a little chilly where you live, this is a cozy, satisfying Good Friday fish dish.
Seafood Pasta in a Foil Package. If you’re having company over for dinner tonight and want to serve an elegant seafood dinner, look no further than this parcel of deliciousness. You cook the seafood in a skillet and make a light tomato sauce, then throw it into heavy duty foil with al dente pasta and finish it in the oven. Oh my heavens.
How about an easy batch of Shrimp Tacos? Another great Good Friday fish option, whether for the family or for company.
Coconut Curry Shrimp. Super easy, super flavorful…and super shrimpy!
And one of my very favorites: Lemon Basil Shrimp Risotto. So lovely and citrusy and comforting. I love this one!
MEATLESS
Still other observers of Good Friday take the meatless route. Here are five of my favorites from that category.
Zucchini Noodles. I just posted this last week, and it’s one of my favorite easy, ultra-light veggie dishes. All you need is a vegetable peeler.
Heavenly Hummus Wrap. Mmmm…hummus, roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, caramelized red onions, feta…all rolled up in a spinach tortilla.
Kale Citrus Salad. So light, so flavorful, so absolutely delightful. If I could eat one salad the rest of my life, I’m pretty sure it would be this one. Never gets old!
Spicy Cauliflower Stir Fry. A quick-and-easy, seriously meatless dish that’s so addictive, I once made it four times in one week. It really is that good.
Super simple Veggie Scramble. Eggs, veggies, cheese—nothing complicated about it.
And don’t forget to deliver Hot Cross Buns to your loved ones today! It’s a beautiful Good Friday tradition.
Wherever you are today and whatever you’re doing, I hope you have a blessed Good Friday, friends.
Delicious Fish Dinners To Make For Good Friday
During Lent, it’s tradition to abstain from meat on Fridays, meaning beef, pork, and chicken are all off the table. Whether you’ve been keeping up throughout the season or are planning a Good Friday meal, these delicious fish recipes are all solid options. And if you’re planning for Easter, be sure to check out our favorite dinner and dessert recipes.
dessert recipes.
This no-fuss meal can be served with grains, greens, or potatoes.
Good Friday Dinner Ideas
Baked Tilapia
I’ve decided to cook healthier for my family, and that includes having more fish at home. After looking at easy tilapia recipes I decided to try baked tilapia. I love that it’s fast, too! —Hope Stewart, Raleigh, North Carolina
Baked Halibut
I got this easy baked halibut recipe from Sandy Schroth of the Puffin Bed & Breakfast in Gustavus, Alaska. —Edward Mahnke, Houston, Texas
Rosemary Salmon and Veggies
My husband and I eat a lot of salmon. One night, while in a rush to get dinner on the table, I created this rosemary salmon meal. It’s a keeper! You can also include sliced zucchini, small cauliflower florets or fresh green beans. —Elizabeth Bramkamp, Gig Harbor, Washington
Vegetable Potpie
We raised our daughters as vegetarians. I wanted to give them more options than just pizza and pasta, so when they were around 11 years old, I made this vegetable potpie recipe. It’s still a hit. —Mark Sirota, New York, New York
Mediterranean Sole
This Mediterranean sole recipe may be simple, but it’s also elegant and incredibly flavorful. Steaming in parchment is an easy and healthy way to cook fish and vegetables. Any white fish will work in place of the sole. —Andrea Potischman, Menlo Park, California
Tilapia & Lemon Sauce
Serve this lemon tilapia with any tossed salad full of your favorite vegetables and buttered bread. It’s easy, quick and unique. And it’s a big hit with company, too. —Susan Taul, Birmingham, Alabama
Fast Baked Fish
We always have a good supply of fresh fish, so I make fish recipes often. This recipe is my favorite because it is moist, tender and flavorful. —Judie Anglen, Riverton, Wyoming
Salmon with Spinach Sauce
You won’t have to fish for compliments with this tasty recipe. Poaching is a quick and healthy way to prepare an entree as delicate as fish, keeping it moist and tender while cooking. And the flavorful spinach sauce adds a pretty green accent to the pink salmon. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Portobello and Chickpea Sheet-Pan Supper
This is a fantastic meatless dinner or an amazing side dish. It works well with a variety of sheet-pan-roasted vegetables. We enjoy using zucchini or squash in the summer, and you can also change up the herbs in the dressing. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Comforting Tuna Patties
My grandmother and mother made these tuna patties on Fridays during Lent. I’m not the biggest fan of tuna, but it’s perfect in this dish. These patties are even good cold the next day, if there are any leftovers. —Ann Marie Eberhart, Gig Harbor, Washington
Chimichurri Baked Flounder
Chimichurri is a tasty uncooked sauce made from fresh herbs. I love it over any type of fish, but especially over baked flounder. To save time, I gather the herbs on my chopping board and chop them all at once. —Jennifer Okutman, Westminster, Maryland
Easy Poached Salmon
In 46 years of marriage, we had never tasted salmon until a friend told me about poaching it in a low cooker. I tried it and got flaky, moist results with little fuss. I added some soy sauce for extra flavor. — Johnna Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona
Tuscan Portobello Stew
This is a heart-healthy, one-skillet meal that is quick and easy to prepare, yet elegant enough for company. Vegetarian teachers and students alike appreciate this stew at school potlucks. —Jane Siemon, Viroqua, Wisconsin
Asparagus Tuna Noodle Casserole
I updated a traditional tuna casserole using fresh asparagus and asparagus soup. This is so different and so delicious. Use frozen asparagus when fresh is not in season. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
Feta Tomato-Basil Fish
I rely on my husband for the main ingredient in this fuss-free dish. He fills our freezer after his summer fishing trip. —Alicia Szeszol, Lindenhurst, Illinois
Lemon Shrimp with Parmesan Rice
I grew up in Biloxi, Mississippi, where rice, garlic and seafood are staples of Gulf Coast cuisine. This easy shrimp and rice dish is a longtime family favorite that’s ready in minutes. —Amie Overby, Reno, Nevada
Almond-Topped Fish
A co-worker gave me this recipe, but I didn’t try it until recently. What a mistake it was to wait! It’s easier than dipping, coating and frying—and the flavor is outstanding. Once you’ve tried this tender fish, you’ll never go back to fried. —Heidi Kirsch, Waterloo, Iowa
Tuna Noodle Casserole
Families are sure to love the creamy texture and comforting taste of this traditional tuna casserole that goes together in a jiffy. I serve it with a green salad and warm rolls for a nutritious supper. —Ruby Wells, Cynthiana, Kentucky
Pesto Halibut
The mildness of halibut contrasts perfectly with the robust flavor of pesto in this recipe. It takes only minutes to get the fish ready for the oven, leaving you plenty of time to get started on your side dishes. Nearly anything goes well with this entree. —April Showalter, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Cod with Sweet Peppers
This quick and delicious recipe is a long-time family favorite. I like to use three or four different-colored peppers for an extra-pretty presentation. Then serve with couscous or brown rice to round out the meal. —Judy Grebetz, Racine, Wisconsin.
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