20 Modern Passover Recipes for a Fresh 2026 Seder Menu

When is Passover this year in 2026?

Passover is a major Jewish holiday that celebrates the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt. It’s observed over eight days (seven in Israel) and centers around the Seder, a ritual meal where families retell the story of freedom through symbolic foods, prayers, and traditions.

At its core, Passover is about remembrance, resilience, and renewal, honoring the past while gathering with loved ones in the present. Passover this year begins the evening of April 1, 2026 through April 9, 2026.

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 six 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)

Crockpot Red Wine Braised Short Ribs

These are that kind of Passover dinner—the one that feels a little elevated, a little indulgent, and completely worth it. Slow-cooked short ribs turn so tender as they braise, soaking up all that rich red wine flavor. For a Passover-friendly twist, simply swap cornstarch for potato starch to thicken the sauce—it delivers the same silky finish without breaking tradition. The best part? It’s mostly hands-off, making it perfect for a slow, cozy day at home (and even better the next day). (via Salt & Lavender)

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)