How We Do Sunday Dinner (& 20 Sunday Dinner Recipes)
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Sunday Dinner is an old tradition that our family is bringing back. Here are the steps I take each week to prepare a special Sunday Dinner for my family as well as 20 Sunday Dinner recipes that are sure to become favorites at your table.
Estimated reading time: 10 minutes
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Often times the old ways are the best ways. I recently read a quote from GK Chesterton that said, “Weak things must boast of being new…. But strong things can boast of being old.”
Sunday Dinner is an old tradition that has grown in many cultures for various reasons over time.
I’m not sure where Sunday Dinners fell off the rails, but I’m pretty sure it needs a comeback. While still a tradition in British pubs where a proper Sunday roast is served, Sunday Dinner is a little harder to come by stateside.
One of my favorite parts of leaning into my homemaker life is making nice meals for my family. So, I’m bringing back Sunday Dinner, and hopefully, you’ll be encouraged to do the same.
What is Sunday Dinner?
I’m not sure there’s a sure definition of Sunday Dinner, but in many ways and in many traditions, it’s a special occasion meal with the special occasion being the mere fact that the family is gathered in one place.
Sunday Dinner doesn’t have to be fancy, but it can be. I like to think of it similar to Thanksgiving Dinner, on a smaller scale.
It’s called Sunday Dinner because traditionally most people had Sunday afternoons off of work. You could easily have your big dinner on a Wednesday and call it whatever you want. My friend and LAM reader Michele does just that and calls it, “Family Dinner”.
Does Sunday Dinner have to be fancy?
You don’t have to make it fancy at all! Though I will say that’s it been fun to give my family the special occasion treatment. Sometimes a fun dessert on paper plates is as good as it gets, though.
Overall, you can make it as casual or as dressed up as you like. Think about the seasons: summer lends itself to casual and eating al fresco while fall and winter almost beg you to make things cozy and festive inside.
But, it all comes down to you doing you. Find your groove and enjoy it!
How to Plan Sunday Dinner
You can make your Sunday dinner as elaborate or as simple as you like, from decor to drinks, dinner to dessert. This summer, we’ve gone with an eclectic mix. Some weeks we set the table with tablecloth, candles, and flowers — and some weeks we don’t.
As you plan your Sunday Dinners, consider the 5Ws and the H. Contrary to the standard order of the 5Ws, let’s start with the most important…
Why
Why are you making an effort for Sunday Dinner? Why is it important to you?
Knowing your why, your purpose can have a huge impact on the success and repetition of your Sunday Dinners. It doesn’t have to be deep, but it can be.
I want to give my kids good memories of our family together as well as build a foundation for their leaving home — and wanting to come back! Last year when we moved, I looked at this new house as our launching pad. The chances are good that many of our kids will fly from this particular nest.
Our Sunday Dinners originally started because Sunday was the only night when all five kids were consistently home for dinner. With teens and young adults, I wanted to make sure we had a chance to connect.
I don’t think I set out to make it a tradition last fall when we started, but it’s become one, something special that no one wants to miss. Not only do we see each other face to face, but we can talk about upcoming events as well as deep theological and philosophical issues.
As Bryan and I have become more intentional about taking a sabbath, Sunday Dinners are playing a bigger role in that, especially when it comes to feasting and celebrating.
Who
Who will you include? Is it for immediate family, friends, open invite? Knowing who helps you decide all kinds of things such as what to serve and how many chairs you’ll need.
Other Who’s to consider: Who will cook? Who will clean? (I’m a firm believer in having kids do chores.)
Currently, our Sunday Dinner includes Bryan, me, and our five kids who live at home. If we have houseguests, we include them as well. I can’t wait until our eldest and his wife are here on a Sunday night!
Since I already have a Sabbath Prep routine, the cleaning and cooking are already accounted for. Usually kids who are available to help, pitch in on Saturdays.
You may need to sort these things through. It doesn’t have to involve a lot of work, but it can be if you don’t think it through.
What
What will you serve? What needs to be purchased? What needs to be located?
Meal planning, grocery shopping, and gathering supplies and tools can be quick tasks, especially as you make Sunday Dinners a regular routine, but a little pre-prep can go a long way.
If you have multiple families joining you for Sunday Dinner, by all means, let folks bring stuff if they offer!
As you know, I have a set meal plan for summer. We do an array of salads and/or veggies or fruit alongside a grilled meat. Bryan does the grilling. I prep the salads and sides on Saturday. This makes Sunday Dinners super duper easy. Like seriously so.
I’ll be switching out this set menu when the weather changes, opting for fall and wintery things like roasts, pot pies, and casseroles. I can’t wait to do Advent Sunday Dinners! I’ll be looking toward slow cooker recipes and things that I can make in advance. No last-minute fussing here!
The What also includes the dishes, etc that you might want for serving and for setting the table. I’m still on the hunt for proper tablecloths, but I have been very pleased with my goblets and bud vases as well as the salad plates I’ve added to my collection this summer.
Check out all my Amazon finds for hospitality and Sunday Dinners.
Fresh flowers, candles, and other place settings can make things fun and special. They’re not required, but they do level up the experience.
I’m a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl, so the dinner table has always been pretty spartan, even on special occasions. It’s been fun to explore being more creative at the table through our Sunday Dinners.
Where
Where will you gather? Where will you cook? Where will you store the extra food?
Depending on how large your Sunday dinner crowd is, you may want to think through these questions. Remember the kitchen table is good enough!
But, if you have a dining table or a table out on the patio, you can get creative. I have three cafe tables on the patio that I shove together. (And someday, I will have a tablecloth that fits them!)
Should your Sunday dinners include more families outside your own, you may consider rotating location or even extending the practice to your church. There’s lots of ways you can make this super fun and inclusive for more people.
Remember that you don’t have to spend a lot of money on tables and chairs, especially as you start your Sunday Dinner tradition. Shop your house, borrow from neighbors or friends, stroll the thrift store, garage sales, or clearance sections. We have long had several 6-ft folding tables in the garage that get sourced for bigger crowds.
As far as food storage goes, I try to do my big shop in time for Sunday Dinner, so when I’m getting groceries, the fridge is already on the empty side. If you’re having lots of people and making lots of food, consider your cold storage space before shopping.
When
When will you have your big dinner? Every week? Once a month? On Sundays or a different night?
You don’t have to make any decisions and carve them in stone, but have an idea of how frequently you want to enjoy Sunday Dinners so that your brain can start looking for ways to make it happen.
(I highly recommend your reading Be Your Future Self Now as a way to learn more about this amazing way our brains work.)
We are currently on a weekly track for Sunday Dinners; we even have a birthday to celebrate which will make it extra special.
How
How will you do Sunday Dinner? How will you plan it? How will you prep it?
I’ve put together a quick and easy planning page to help you plan your Sunday Dinners. Work through all the questions above on the worksheet. There’s even a checklist of tips to help make it special. Choose one or choose them all.
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Best Recipes for Sunday Dinner
These are some of our favorite meals to serve for Sunday Dinner:
More Tips for Family Togetherness
What works for you?
Leave a comment below and let us know what works for you.
