Traditional Passover Foods for Seder and Beyond

The weather is getting warmer and spring flowers are finally in bloom! For some, that means it’s time for Passover. This Jewish holiday is typically known for having a lot of dietary restrictions, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice on flavor. There are some truly tasty traditional Passover food dishes worth exploring—from crowd-pleasing brisket and coconut macaroons to easy potato dishes and quinoa recipes. If you’ve never been to a Passover seder or you’re hosting one for the first time, you might be wondering how to organize a seder and what foods to you eat (or not eat)? While the rules during Passover can vary for every household, some Passover traditions are a must (we’re looking at you, matzo ball soup).

But first, what is Passover? Passover is celebrated to honor the departure and freedom of the Jews from ancient Egypt. The date can change every year, but it typically starts in spring and lasts for seven or eight days. In 2021, Passover goes from the evening of Saturday, March 27, to the evening of Sunday, April 4. The seder is a festive dinner held on the first night of Passover (though some people also have one on the second night). It starts with songs and readings to tell the story of Passover, followed by a delicious meal. During the feast, a seder plate consisting of symbolic foods is placed on the table to represent different parts of the Passover story. It’s all about tradition and food.

Throughout the holiday, it’s customary to follow kosher guidelines and eliminate any grains that can be leavened from your diet (think: bread, bagels, and even pizza). As a result, traditional Passover foods, like matzo, are commonly eaten. If you’ve never had matzo before, we’d highly recommend trying it with cream cheese and jelly for breakfast. Whether you’re hosting a Passover seder or just looking for some new Passover-friendly recipes, these traditional Passover dishes will cover everything from main courses to flourless desserts. Just be sure to look for the kosher for Passover symbol on all your ingredients and keep in mind our tips for substitutions.