Fish pie, fried chicken and pizza are among the top unconventional choices for Easter Sunday lunch according to new research from Sainsbury’s, yet a roast comes out on top for the majority (51%) as three quarters (77%) say they stick to tradition when celebrating cultural holidays.
Shepherd’s pie, steak and salad are also becoming popular for the holiday, suggesting that Easter traditions are evolving as new favourites come to the fore. The survey also found that 72% of Brits celebrating Easter are set to enjoy an alternative to a lamb roast, with two thirds (64%) unaware it’s an age-old tradition.
The poll of 2,000 adults who mark the occasion found that, although 67% celebrate with a family meal, activities such as going to the pub, going shopping or a movie marathon are also high on the agenda over the bank holiday.
However, traditions are changing, with men twice as likely as women to enjoy sporting events, the gym or even a trip abroad during their Easter break.
Of the 67% likely to sit down to a roast, 31% still tuck into traditional lamb, while most opt for chicken, beef or turkey (47%). As preferences change, many are elevating their Easter roast with Christmas classics like stuffing (28%) and pigs in blankets (16%) although traditional roast potatoes (59%) still come out on top as the favourite side dish.
Ever experimental, a quarter of 18-24-year-olds choose hot sauce (26%) or BBQ sauce (25%) to garnish their roast, with a fifth enjoying baked beans (23%), bread (22%) or even black pudding (20%) on the side.
No matter your favourite, from hot sauce to gravy or baked beans to black pudding, you can bring joy to your Easter meal with value from Sainsbury’s.
“Many shoppers are evolving their Easter food traditions and looking for new ways to enjoy the bank holiday. While most are adding their own spin to classic dishes, some are reinventing Easter norms altogether and, as a result, new food trends are emerging. The younger Gen Z consumer is more experimental than older generations, combining modern and traditional foods to create unique and personalised food experiences that satisfy their tastes and create joy for them.”
Dr Amna Khan, Consumer Behaviour Expert
Regardless of meal preference, food plays a big part, with over three in four (77%) agreeing it adds joy to Easter celebrations.
Family (42%) and friends (12%) are also among the most enjoyable reasons for celebrating Easter, so it’s no surprise that more than seven in 10 (71%) have either hosted the celebration for loved ones in the past or want to in the future.
Historically, Easter hosts have spent an average of £63, yet over half (51%) celebrating the holiday are looking for ways to save money due to the cost-of-living crisis.
Dr Amna Khan added: “The cost-of-living crisis is forcing us to get creative with our spending to ensure we can still make holidays like Easter special to give ourselves a lift. Celebrating Easter with friends and family whilst enjoying food is the perfect occasion for many people across the country. Lots of consumers will be making savvy food choices, trading down for cheaper alternatives, or simply replacing the food choice with a completely different option.”
