Lenten Recipe and Meal Plan Ebook One of the best ways to prepare for Lent is to meal plan – especially for days of fasting and abstinence! Here is my handy guide with 40 of our family’s favorite meatless Lent recipes to make planning your Lenten menu a breeze. All of the meals are easy, healthy, and delicious.
Lent is a time when we want to focus on detaching ourselves from things of this world in order to make room for Christ to enter into our hearts at Easter! All of these meals are quick and simple, leaving you plenty of time to dedicate to your Lenten devotions.
Read on for the church’s official rules on fasting and abstinence followed by 40 meatless meals (10 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 10 dinners, and 10 collations).If you are reading this at the last minute or if you do not like meal planning, I got you covered! I have also included a meal plan for all days of fasting and abstinence during Lent. Download it at the end of this article.
Enjoy, and have a holy and fruitful Lent!
Fasting and Abstinence During Lent for Catholics
During Lent, Catholics over the age of 14 must abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and on all Fridays of Lent. This also includes Good Friday.*
In addition, Catholics between the ages of 18-59 must fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. This means avoiding snacks on these days, and eating one regular meal for dinner. Breakfast and lunch should be meals that are smaller than dinner (more like snacks). This smaller/snack meal is called a “Collation.”
Fasting and abstinence are also recommended on Holy Saturday.
Fasting helps us simplify our meals and also helps us detach from certain foods and other goodies. As an extra form of penance, you may wish to abstain from meat on other days of Lent besides Fridays.
Please see: Fasting and abstinence requirements from the USCCB
*The fasting and abstinence rules do not apply to pregnant women or to those who cannot abstain and/or fast due to medical reasons. These groups can choose an alternative penance that is appropriate (such as giving up coffee, juice, soda, or other favorite treats or goodies).
Ember Days During Lent
The Ember Days are a time dedicated to voluntary penance. They are not required by the church, but a little extra intentional penance and thanksgiving can do a lot of good!
For the Ember Days, we are to fast on Wednesday (reminding us of Judas’s betrayal) and Saturday (reminding us of the tomb) and fast and abstain from meat on Friday (reminding us of the crucifixion).
Here is an excellent summary and explanation of Ember Days. This link also further explains the fasting and abstinence recommended for these days.
The Ember Days during Lent fall during the week after Ash Wednesday.
Thus, Ember Wednesday will fall one week after Ash Wednesday, followed by Ember Friday and Ember Saturday of that week. (These are on Wednesday, March 12, Friday, March 14, and Saturday, March 15 in 2025)
Meatless Lent Recipes and Meal Plan – FREE GUIDE!
I made this guide keeping in mind all of the seasons of life that a family may be going through during Lent.
For example, if mom is pregnant or nursing and there are small children in the household, you can still make these simple meals with adaptations such as serving larger portions on collation days and adding meat. Or, have bread (I have included an excellent Fasting Bread recipe!) on hand for those who wish to fast on bread and water. Then dad and older children can still observe the fast without the family having to cook multiple meals.
If the meal plan on pages 9-10 work for you, simply print them out and fill out the dates. Also be sure to follow the links and print out the linked recipes. Keep them all together in a folder or binder in your kitchen for easy access.
Or, create your own meal plan on pages 11-12 and be sure to print out the linked recipes. Keep them all together in a folder or binder in your kitchen for easy access.
Click below to download the free ebook with 40 meatless Lent recipes and meal plan!
This post originally appeared on amazingcatechists.com on Feb 17, 2025.