The Passover Seder is steeped in tradition, but that doesn't mean your meal has to be completely conventional. Here are 20 modern takes on classic Passover dishes, like Manischewitz-spiked co*cktails and matzo-based chocolate bars. (Don't let the word "modern" scare you; there's still plenty of smoked fish, matzo ball soup, and kugel in the mix.)
When is Passover in 2023?
Passover begins the evening of April 22, 2024, and lasts through the evening of Apr 30, 2024.
What is the traditional meal for Passover?
The traditional meal for Passover includes a mix of symbolic foods. Meat, eggs, fruit and vegetables, herbs, and saltwater all have a place on the Seder plate, though more modern passover meals make some variations on the ingredients included.
What are the 6 foods of Passover?
A lamb’s bone (Zeroah), roasted egg (Beitzah), fruit and nut paste (Haroset), bitter herbs like horseradish (Mar’or), green vegetables (Karpas), and a small bowl of salt water are the 6 main foods of Passover.
What food is forbidden on Passover?
Some traditions celebrate the jewish holiday with restrictions on leavened bread (chometz). Breads made from wheat, oat, spelt, rye or barley are not eaten on Passover.
The Best Foods To Make For Your Passover Meals
Smoked Salmon Platter
Now that everyone has a drink, get the party started with a show-stopping salmon platter, complete with cukes, tomatoes, red onion, and tons of shmear. Replace the bagels with matzo to hold all those toppings. (via How Sweet Eats)
Matzo Ball Soup
This Passover classic is traditionally made with chicken. Welcome your vegetarian friends to the table with a meat-free version. (via Foodal)
Salmon Instant Pot Dinner
If you're hosting a small Passover Seder, use your Instant Pot to create a full meal of steamed fish, potatoes, and veg. (via Brit + Co.)
Roasted Beef Tenderloin With French Onion Au Jus
Feeling fancier than brisket? This thyme-crusted tenderloin is simpler than it looks but is definitely main-course worthy. Just be sure to omit the butter or replace it with a dairy-free substitute. (via Half Baked Harvest)
Matzo Schnitzel
With matzo meal and potato starch, crispy breaded chicken free of leavened ingredients can be yours for your Passover crowd to enjoy. (via Jamie Geller)
Instant-Pot Pot Roast
Embrace the modern-day craze for the Instant Pot (and the Whole30 diet) with this nourishing pot roast, which incorporates more veggies than the traditional version. (via Life Made Sweeter)
Kofta Kebabs
These kebabs have just six ingredients but are intensely flavorful from cozy cinnamon and aromatic basil. Swap out Passover Panko or matzo meal for the breadcrumbs. These have a tahini dressing, which can be left out depending on if your family consumes kitniyot during Passover or not. (via Jamie Geller)
Instant Pot Steamed Artichokes
Celebrate the classic fried artichokes of the Roman Jewish Ghetto with this lighter version, which steams in 10 minutes in the Instant Pot. (via Cotter Crunch)
Beet and Carrot Fritters
Switch up the Passover table's very beige (yet delicious) color scheme with these bright and healthy beet fritters. (via Leite's Culinaria)
Creamy Vegan Risotto With Asparagus and Quinoa
Quinoa is technically a seed, not a grain, so many people give it the seal of approval on Passover. Use it to concoct this risotto, which gets its creamy texture from a purée of roasted cauliflower, beans, and almond milk. However, if you are avoiding beans, just sub in more cauliflower. (via Well Plated by Erin)
Matzo Farfel Stuffing
Dates add an unexpected sweetness to this comforting tray of matzo pieces, mushrooms, and aromatic veggies. (via Jamie Geller)
Roasted Eggplant Salad
Juicy pomegranate seeds can make any dish look festive, as proven by this bed of seasoned roasted eggplant and pine nuts. Dress it in lemon juice, sea salt, and olive oil if you are not consuming kitniyot like tahini sauce. (via Foraged Dish)
Make These Delicious Desserts And Sweets For Passover
Vanilla Noodle Kugel
Use Passover-friendly (usually matzo-based) egg noodles and wafer cookies for this kugel, which balances the sweet notes of vanilla and sugar with the tangier flavor of sour cream. (via Tori Avey)
Flourless Chocolate Fudge Cake
Butter, chocolate, eggs, and sugar make a shockingly fudgy cake — no flour necessary. You can always sub in vegan butter if you plan on eating the meal less than two hours after consuming meat. (via Baker by Nature)
Waffle-Iron Latkes 5 Ways
Modernize the traditional latke by cooking it in a waffle iron and adorning it with updated toppings, like crème fraîche and apple butter or Greek yogurt and pomegranate. (via Brit + Co.)
Dessert-Wine Poached Pears
A holiday without flour is an opportunity to get creative with fruit. These pears are poached in simple syrup, honey, and dessert wine until warm and tender. Serve them with non-dairy vanilla ice cream for a glorious temperature contrast. (via Drizzle and Dip)
Passover Apple Cake
Matzo cake meal is the secret ingredient in this nutty, apple-rich, and raisin-studded cake. (via Leite's Culinaria)
5-Ingredient Magic Matzo Chocolate Bars
Have the kids in the family make these crunchy-chewy chocolate bars. The recipe is a simple matter of layering, sprinkling, and drizzling, so it can't go too awry. (via Half Baked Harvest)
Passover Chocolate Chip Cookies
As long as you have matzo meal, you don't have to give up chocolate chip cookies during Passover. (via Tori Avey)
Classic Red Sangria
You could pass around standard glasses of Manischewitz, or you could use the red wine to make a fruity sangria. Since Manischewitz is already so sweet, you don't need to add any sugar to the mix. (via Kitchen Treaty)
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This post has been updated.
Header image via How Sweet Eats
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Sara Cagle
Sara is a food and lifestyle freelance writer in Los Angeles. She writes a weekly events column for the Los Angeles Times and loves writing food content for Brit + Co. After all, the English language's most fun adjectives are best applied to delicious foods. In her free time, she's a hip hop dancer, avid moviegoer, and thorough face-mask user.
