Our 10 Best Traditional Passover Recipes

Wine-Braised Brisket
Photo: Allrecipes Magazine

Like many of the Jewish holidays, the eight-day celebration of Passover (Pesach) is rooted in symbolic foods and culinary traditions. During this holiday commemorating Jews' escape from slavery, those who observe avoid food made from wheat, barley, rye, oats, or spelt that has had time to rise or has leavened. Instead, matzo (also known as matza or matzah), the traditional unleavened flatbread and one of the symbols of Passover, is served in addition to many delicious Kosher for Passover recipes. Here are some recipes you'll find at a traditional Passover celebration.

01 of 10

Wine-Braised Beef Brisket

beef brisket on a white plate
Allrecipes Magazine

Super tender, flavorful, and juicy, this Passover brisket will feed a crowd and is even better when made a day ahead, saving you time the first night the holiday begins. Use your favorite red wine that you would serve to accompany the meal.

02 of 10

Gefilte Fish

Gefilte Fish
Brett Stevens

A Passover meal is rarely complete without a plate of gefilte fish, garnished with parsley and carrots. Skip the gefilte fish that comes in glass jars at your grocery stores, and give this homemade recipe a try instead. Think of gefilte fish as fish cakes made from salmon, snapper, and cod, with vegetables and seasonings that are braised in a flavorful broth. The cakes are held together by matzo meal, which acts as a binder in this recipe, similar to what flour or breadcrumbs would do for meatballs or crab cakes. Serve gefilte fish chilled or at room temperature topped with horseradish.

03 of 10

Matzoh Ball Soup

Matzoh Ball Soup
Allrecipes Magazine

Allrecipes community member monafelice writes, "This is the real deal. Authentic Jewish-style chicken soup like bubbe used to make." And we agree. You won't be able to resist a bowl of this homemade chicken soup with matzoh balls.

If you are in a hurry, use high-quality chicken broth as a shortcut, but be sure to refrigerate matzoh balls before cooking for at least 20 minutes. This allows the mixture to bind and prevents the balls from falling apart in the broth. For extra light and airy matzoh balls, use seltzer water to replace some or all of the chicken broth used to make the balls.

04 of 10

Potato Kugel

Potato Kugel
lutzflcat

Similar in taste to potato pancakes, this kugel is a wonderful dish to make for a large group celebrating the holidays. With just a few basic ingredients like shredded potatoes, grated onion, eggs, salt, and pepper, you'll have a casserole-style dish to serve with your brisket.

05 of 10

Matzah

Matzah
momdragon

There's no shortage of matzah at grocery stores around the holidays, but we have a recipe for matzah that you can make in your own kitchen. As there's no leavening agent needed for this flatbread, it comes together in just a matter of minutes. You can flavor it to your liking using a combination of fresh or dried herbs and seasonings.

06 of 10

Haroset for Passover

Haroset
sbossert / Getty Images

This recipe is shared by Allrecipes member Jill M, who describes it as "sweet and tasty Haroset made with apples, cinnamon, honey, and sweet wine." Haroset is part of the Seder plate and symbolizes the mortar used by Jewish slaves to build pyramids in Egypt.

You can prepare haroset ahead of time and serve it chilled or at room temperature with matza. Use this recipe as a guide and make it your own by adding your favorite variety of apples, nuts, and fruits, and adjusting the sweetness.

07 of 10

Oven-Roasted Asparagus

side view of a square white platter of roasted asparagus, focusing on the tips
Kim's Cooking Now

Passover is celebrated in spring when fresh asparagus is in abundance, making this quick side dish ideal for the holiday meal. If serving with meat, skip the Parmesan cheese in the recipe to follow Kosher laws.

08 of 10

Chocolate Covered Matzo

Chocolate Covered Matzoh
Jessica Nelson / Getty Images

This is a stunning dessert and a great way to use any leftover plain matzo. Here, the matzo is covered with melted dark chocolate and sea salt. You can add toppings like toasted hazelnuts, dried cranberries, and candied ginger. It's easy to make ahead and is a great hostess gift if you're celebrating Passover away from home.

09 of 10

Jewish Apple Cake from Bubba's Recipe Box

Jewish Apple Cake from Bubba's Recipe Box
b

This apple cake is shared by Allrecipes community member Janyce, who got the recipe from her grandmother. She thinks it just might be the best apple cake out there. The cake is flavored with cinnamon, orange juice, and brown sugar.

10 of 10

Raisin Farfel Kugel

Raisin Farfel Kugel
Christy A.

This kugel uses matzo farfel instead of noodles used in kugel recipes that are not served during Passover. The remaining ingredients — raisins, eggs, sugar, cinnamon, and butter — are pretty standard. Many of the Allrecipes community members who tried this recipe were sad they didn't make more of it, so be sure to make a double batch to enjoy throughout the holiday and share with your friends and family.

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