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Our experts' best salmon centrepieces to try this Good Friday
From hot-smoked fillets to impressive wellingtons, read on for easy, flavour-packed Good Friday lunch suggestions
Tested by JoJo AnastasiouFood and Drinks Tester
It’s traditional to eat fish on Good Friday, so the Good Housekeeping Institute has been hard at work to find the best seafood centrepieces for your Easter table. And with salmon being the most popular choice for a special feast, all our top-rated options feature this versatile favourite.
From quality fillets to salmon en croutes made with golden pastry, these seafood dishes start from just £7.84 and will feed the whole family.
If you want something sweet for dessert, we’ve also eaten our way through a lot of chocolate to bring you the best Easter eggs. The toaster was in constant use to find the best hot cross buns, and we've sampled a selection of meaty mains to find the best roasts for the family feast on Good Sunday.
Best Easter seafood centrepieces 2026
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How we test salmon centrepieces
Our panel of Good Housekeeping Institute experts sampled a selection of seafood dishes from the major supermarkets and online retailers this year. They were looking for an impressive centrepiece with a sea-fresh aroma, moist meat and full flavour. Additional points were given for ease of preparation and appearance.
Here are the ones we’ll be serving this Easter.
Best Deal
Lidl Deluxe Honey Smoked Salmon Side 400g
Lidl Deluxe Honey Smoked Salmon Side 400g
Score: 88/100
If you’re keen to make your money go further this Easter, Lidl’s salmon took our top spot and offers excellent value. The hot-smoked fillet is ready to eat straight from the pack – ideal for a buffet – or can be gently warmed. Finished with a floral honey glaze, it’s buttery, flaky and one the whole family will enjoy.
Silverscale Large Salmon Fillet
Silverscale Large Salmon Fillet
Score: 82/100
The quality of this sharing-style salmon fillet shines through from the first bite. And, for those concerned about salmon farming, it’s part of Abel & Cole’s land-based, responsibly farmed range, sourced from 100% renewably powered farms on the coasts of Iceland and Norway.
Free from pesticides, hormones, antibiotics and heavy metals, it’s one of the most sustainable ways to enjoy your salmon. We’ll set the table.
ASDA Flavoursome Half Salmon Side 500g
Score: 81/100
If you enjoy putting your own stamp on dinner, ASDA’s boneless salmon side proved a popular base for creative home chefs. Our panel said it cooked well, and had a natural sweetness, fresh flavour and moist, tender flakes. Finish simply with a squeeze of lemon.
COOK Salmon en Croute 1.2kg
COOK Salmon en Croute 1.2kg
Score: 79/100
COOK’s salmon en croute is a real showstopper. Our testers loved the buttery, flaky pastry, and thought the lemony, spinach, dill, creme fraiche and caper sauce was the ideal accompaniment for the fish. It cooks straight from frozen and serves six, making it a top choice for easy entertaining.
Score: 78/100
The by Amazon range offers a wide range of products at great prices, including this half salmon side, which will feed up to four people.
Our experts thought it offered great value for the quality of the fish, with a clean, fresh flavour and natural oiliness, ready for you to customise as you wish.
Score: 77/100
Tesco’s salmon fillet is a family-friendly choice with a pleasant, meaty texture. Some testers found it slightly dry, so it may be worth cooking it for a little less time than suggested. Finish with lemon and fresh herbs for a bright, zingy lift.
Waitrose No.1 Scottish Salmon Prime Fillet 500g
Waitrose No.1 Scottish Salmon Prime Fillet 500g
Score: 74/100
This Scottish salmon fillet can be cooked whole or portioned into individual pieces. It would also be the perfect fish for making your own salmon en croute! Our testers thought the texture was excellent – thick, juicy and moist – with a rich natural flavour.
Aldi Specially Selected The Ultimate Salmon Wellington 725g
Aldi Specially Selected The Ultimate Salmon Wellington 725g
Score: 72/100
Give Good Friday’s fish course a seasonal spruce-up with Aldi’s salmon, prawn and lobster wellington. The fish medley is coated in a champagne-spiked cream cheese sauce with a bright hit of lemon. Hearty, indulgent and spot on for a special occasion.
Stacey looks after all food and drink reviews — from coffee pods and veg boxes, to natural wine and tequila. Stacey is also founder of Crummbs, where she’s written nearly 2,000 restaurant and hotel reviews since 2013. Prior to this, Stacey wrote hundreds of in-depth buying guides for the Independent, i newspaper and BBC Good Food, as well as reviewing restaurants and interviewing celebrities in her column at Balance Magazine. Stacey has also appeared in BAFTA-nominated BBC documentary Blood, Sweat & Takeaways, where she investigated South East Asia's food production industry, appearing on both Newsnight and BBC World Service to share her findings. Regularly checking out the latest restaurants, bars and product launches, Stacey also loves experimenting with recipes at home, and is a WSET-certified wine and spirits expert, with over 10 years of experience in the business. You can follow Stacey on Instagram @crummbs_uk
Joanna Anastasiou is our Food and Drinks Tester, and has completed certifications in Sensory Foundation and WSET Wine Level 2 training. Prior to this she studied geography with conservation biology at the University of Exeter and trained at Ballymaloe Cookery School in Ireland. Through this she has developed a passion for sustainability within the food and agricultural sectors. Joanna also volunteers in kitchens with FoodCycle, as well as on multiple wildlife conservation projects, where she formed a particular love for bees!
