My Good Friday meals include easy recipes for your day of fasting without any beef, chicken, pork, or other meat. These seafood, shellfish, and vegetarian dinners are all within the traditional Good Friday fasting guidelines. With so many delicious choices, you won't miss meat at all!
Pair your Good Friday dinner with a few easy vegetable side dishes or a loaded baked potato for a heartier meal.
Jump to:
- 1. Garlic Parmesan Angel Hair Pasta
- 2. Pan Seared Swordfish
- 3. Tomato Rice Soup
- 4. Margherita Sheet Pan Pizza
- 5. Steamed Artichokes with Cheese Sauce
- 6. Greek Pasta Salad
- 7. Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta
- 8. Tofu Stir-Fry
- 9. Baked Monkfish
- 10. Baked Eggplant Parmesan
- 11. Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes
- 12. Sopa de Legumes
- 13. Creamy Seafood Pasta
- 14. Seafood Chowder with Smoked Salmon
- 15. Crab Egg Drop Soup
- 16. Frozen Veggie Stir-Fry
- 17. Baked Steelhead Trout
- 18. Corn Soup
- 19. Salmon with Dill Sauce
- 20. Poached Lobster Tails
- 21. Sun-Dried Tomato Quiche
- 22. Grilled Branzino
- 23. Cream Cheese Pasta
- 24. Air Fryer Tilapia
- 25. Fish & Chips
- 26. Caprese Flatbread
- 27. Crab Risotto
- 28. Pasta alla Norma
- 29. Southern Shrimp and Grits
- 30. Crab Cakes
- 31. Spinach Lasagna
- 📖 Recipe Card
- Best Good Friday Meals: 31+ Easy Meat-Free Recipes For Your Day Of Fasting!
- 💬 Comments & Reviews
If you aren't familiar with Good Friday, it's a Christian holiday that honors the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Traditionally, only one full meal is eaten, and no meat is allowed to respect the solemn nature of the day.
Many Christians forgo eating chicken, pork, beef, or any meat other than seafood. So in preparation for this upcoming Good Friday, I've decided to share my most popular vegetarian and seafood recipes so you can plan your dinner in advance!
1. Garlic Parmesan Angel Hair Pasta
After a long day of fasting, a big bowl of Parmesan angel hair pasta with crispy garlic bread will hit the spot. It's an easy recipe to customize by adding extra veggies or some quick air fryer frozen shrimp for protein.
2. Pan Seared Swordfish
Swordfish is a meaty white fish that pan-sears to perfection in no time, and it has a firm texture that makes for a satisfying bite (it's one of my daughter's favorites). Follow my step-by-step guide to pan-searing fish for the best results.
3. Tomato Rice Soup
Warm and hearty tomato rice soup is a perfect vegetarian comfort food. I like to serve it with crusty French bread or garlic bread for dipping.
4. Margherita Sheet Pan Pizza
Pizza night is perfectly acceptable for Good Friday if you keep the pizza toppings vegetarian or pescetarian-friendly. My Margherita sheet pan pizza, loaded with fresh basil and juicy tomatoes, is the perfect example.
5. Steamed Artichokes with Cheese Sauce
Artichokes are surprisingly 'meaty' for a vegetable, with tender flesh on each leaf waiting to be savored. Paired with my quick and easy cheddar cheese sauce for dipping, even the kids will want to get in on the artichoke action.
6. Greek Pasta Salad
My Greek pasta salad is filled with the bright Mediterranean flavors of olives, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, feta cheese, and artichokes. Toss with your favorite Greek dressing and bowtie noodles and chill in the fridge to let the flavors marry until dinnertime.
7. Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta
This 20-minute shrimp pasta with garlic and lemon is well within the meat-free guidelines of Good Friday. It's perfect for a last-minute meal if you have work during the daytime!
8. Tofu Stir-Fry
Crispy tofu and your choice of mixed vegetables pan-fried with my homemade stir-fry sauce is an easy meatless meal. Serve over white rice or noodles for a classic takeout experience.
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9. Baked Monkfish
Monkfish tastes like lobster, making it a delicious option for seafood lovers looking to try something new. If you aren't familiar with this type of fish, you can learn all about it in my guide to monkfish!
10. Baked Eggplant Parmesan
For a vegetable, eggplant is hearty and satisfying with a bite similar to meat, so you won't miss it in this casserole. The crispy breaded eggplant, melted cheese, and savory marinara sauce are delicious over spaghetti or alone.
11. Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes
Twice-baked sweet potatoes are a satisfying vegetarian entree with your favorite toppings mixed right in. You could also opt for classic twice-baked potatoes if you prefer them to sweet potatoes.
12. Sopa de Legumes
If it's still cold weather where you live, a warm pot of sopa de legumes will hit the spot. This veggie-forward soup is loaded with root vegetables, squash, and white kidney beans for a creamy and savory soup that is surprisingly filling.
13. Creamy Seafood Pasta
My creamy seafood mix makes an excellent pasta sauce with heavy cream, cheese, and simple seasonings. Boil penne or your favorite pasta variety and toss to combine for an easy pasta dinner.
14. Seafood Chowder with Smoked Salmon
This hearty seafood chowder has fish, scallops, clams, and flaky smoked salmon with tender russet potatoes to keep you feeling full. Elevate your soup even further by serving it in a homemade bread bowl!
15. Crab Egg Drop Soup
This tasty twist on the classic Chinese takeout recipe is one of my favorite soups. It's savory and satisfying, with sweet buttery chunks of lump crab meat in every bite!
16. Frozen Veggie Stir-Fry
Grab a bag of your favorite frozen mixed veggies and a bottle of your favorite stir-fry sauce, or try making homemade stir-fry sauce! It's a quick 15-minute meal that is perfect for Good Friday.
17. Baked Steelhead Trout
Steelhead trout becomes flaky, flavorful, and tender, topped with butter and lemon and baked in a foil packet. See what to serve with fish for my favorite side dish suggestions, just be sure to avoid anything with meat.
>>>See All Of My Recipes Here!<<<
18. Corn Soup
Corn soup is creamy and savory, with a subtle sweetness from the corn kernels. A slice of buttered rustic bread is my go-to side for soaking up every last drop of this delectable soup.
19. Salmon with Dill Sauce
This elegant salmon dinner consists of white wine and dill sauce worthy of any upscale seafood restaurant. For side dish suggestions, see what to serve with salmon!
20. Poached Lobster Tails
Poached lobster tails are always a treat, and Thankfully, they are perfectly suitable for anyone honoring Good Friday. Serve them with drawn butter for dunking or drizzling and some of my popular lobster side dishes.
Remember to reserve the shells for homemade lobster stock!
21. Sun-Dried Tomato Quiche
Many still eat eggs on Good Friday, so vegetable quiches like my sun-dried tomato or asparagus mushroom quiche are a great dinner option. Follow the tips and tricks in my guide 'How To Make Quiche' for perfect results every time!
22. Grilled Branzino
While observing Good Friday, Branzino's delicate texture and rich taste offer a satisfying and fulfilling alternative to meat. Preparing this fish on the grill makes it ultra-tender and flaky with a delectable flame-kissed flavor.
23. Cream Cheese Pasta
Cream cheese pasta is comforting and creamy, and it can be on the table in under 20 minutes. Mix in cooked veggies, seafood, or shellfish to create your signature pasta dish for Good Friday!
24. Air Fryer Tilapia
Air fryer tilapia is a quick and healthy option for Good Friday, giving you a flavorful dish dinner without the need for excessive oil. Its lightness and simplicity make it ideal for observing the day's traditions.
25. Fish & Chips
Homemade fish & chips are a classic comfort food, with crispy battered fish and golden French fries. Pair it with ketchup, cocktail, or tartar sauce and Southern coleslaw for a pub-style fish and chips dinner.
26. Caprese Flatbread
With its blend of fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, Caprese flatbread is a light and flavorful dinner option for Good Friday. Italian pasta salad is a great side dish to round out the meal.
27. Crab Risotto
My crab risotto combines delicate flavors of crab meat with creamy rice, making it a perfect choice for a satisfying Good Friday meal. See my side dish suggestions for risotto to add a few tasty sides.
28. Pasta alla Norma
Pasta alla Norma is a classic Italian pasta dish with eggplant, also known as aubergine, as the main ingredient. It's both hearty and vegetarian, which makes it a fabulous dinner choice for those abstaining from meat.
29. Southern Shrimp and Grits
Shrimp and grits is a classic Southern comfort food with cheesy grits as the base and juicy Caujun-seasoned shrimp on top. It's rich, cheesy, and satisfying, plus it tastes great with a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce.
30. Crab Cakes
A delicious blend of succulent crab meat, Ritz crackers, mayonnaise, and seasonings, perfect for a Lenten feast. It's light yet satisfying, making it a great choice for observing the tradition of abstaining from meat on this holy day.
31. Spinach Lasagna
My vegetarian lasagna with spinach is a great family dinner idea for Good Friday. It has all the classic lasagna ingredients minus the meat!
Are There Any Traditional Desserts For Good Friday?
Hot cross buns are a traditional Good Friday dessert and one I love to bake. These spiced sweet buns are marked with a cross on top that symbolizes the crucifixion of Jesus.
Do People Eat Meat On Good Friday?
Many Christians do not eat meat on Good Friday as penance. Instead, they opt for seafood or vegetarian dishes.
What Are Some Kid-Friendly Good Friday Dishes?
These recipes are kid-friendly, depending on what your kid likes to eat! Try a fish stick sandwich, a cheesy tuna melt with sweet potato fries, or my easy white cheddar mac and cheese.
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📖 Recipe Card
Best Good Friday Meals: 31+ Easy Meat-Free Recipes For Your Day Of Fasting!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 2 teaspoon garlic (minced)
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
- 8 oz angel hair pasta
- ¼ teaspoon each, salt & pepper (to taste)
- ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated or shaved)
- 1 tablespoon parsley (optional garnish, chopped)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- Bring a large, deep skillet or small stock pot to medium-high heat with the butter. Once the butter is melted add the garlic and saute until fragrant, stirring occasionally for about 1 minute.
- Stir in the chicken broth, milk, angel hair pasta, salt, and pepper until the pasta is softened and completely covered with liquid. Bring to a boil then reduce your heat to low and simmer.
- Simmer on low, stirring occasionally, for approximately 4-6 minutes or until your pasta is cooked fully. Remove from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until fully melted.
- Serve immediately garnished with fresh, chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
- If you LOVE garlic, you can use up to 1 tablespoon of minced garlic in this pasta dish.
- To thin your sauce (if needed) simply drizzle some milk or broth into the pot of pasta until you reach your desired consistency.
- Cooked pasta stores for up to 3-5 days in the refrigerator, but this tender pasta does not reheat well after a day or two in the fridge.
Nutrition
Originally published March 3, 2024
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