Jewish households celebrate Passover to commemorate the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. We mark Passover with a change in diet – as we can't eat specific foods and ingredients during this time, I'm helping you plan ahead with 27 kosher Passover recipes plus a guide to kosher Passover recipes.
Which Foods Are Kosher for Passover?
Many foods can't be eaten if observing Passover. The following kosher ingredients for Passover, so they're all suitable to have on your menu.
- All fruits
- Most vegetables
- Fermented vegetables
- Matzos
- Beef, turkey, chicken, fish with scales, duck, or goose
- Dairy (as long as it is not combined with meat)
- Eggs
- Herbs and spices
- Unflavored teas and unflavored coffee
- Nuts and nut butter (except peanut butter or soy butter)
- Quinoa, almond, coconut, and quinoa flour
- Processed and packaged foods marked kosher-for-Passover
Every Passover I make homemade sweetened condensed coconut milk, as the canned variety isn't kosher. Then, I use it to make homemade coconut macaroons or even to sweeten my tea as a special treat.
Which Foods Are Kitniyot for Passover?
Additional foods are kosher for Passover depending on whether your family is Ashkenazi or Sephardic. I am half Ashkenazi and half Sephardic which has given me the unique opportunity to experience and practice both traditions.
If you’re Sephardic, you CAN eat foods classed as Kitniyot, as follows:
- Beans
- Buckwheat
- Caraway
- Cardamom
- Corn
- Edamame
- Fennel Seeds
- Fenugreek
- Flaxseed (Linseed)
- Green Beans
- Hemp Seeds
- Lentils
- Millet
- Mustard
- Peas
- Poppy Seeds
- Rapeseed
- Rice
- Sesame Seeds
- Soybeans
- Sunflower Seeds
- Teff
*List sourced from oukosher.org
What Are Examples of Leavened Foods?
For Passover, chametz (foods with wheat, oats, barley, rye, and spelt) are not allowed. Leavened foods (containing a leavening agent to make them rise) are also not allowed. Here are some examples of these foods that are not allowed for Passover:
- Beer and grain alcohol
- Bread, cakes, and baked goods
- Grains including wheat, barley, spelt, oats, and rye
- Any foods containing baking powder, baking soda, and yeast
Which Beverages are Kosher for Passover?
Grain alcohols are not allowed, but there are still many alcoholic drinks available to you. Here are some permitted alcohols:
- Wine with kosher certification
- Prosecco and sparkling wine with kosher certification
- Whiskey (as long as it’s not derived from a chametz ingredient)
- Vodka (as long as it’s not derived from a chametz ingredient)
- Gin
- Rum
- Tequila, and other agave-derived spirits
- Brandy, distilled from kosher wine
- Unflavored seltzer and sparkling water are good, even without any Kosher certification
Kosher for Passover Recipes for Every Meal
It can feel hard to keep kosher for Passover. Yet, many whole ingredients are allowed and are easily turned into flavor-packed dishes. Here's a variety of menu inspiration – make sure to read the descriptions for any kosher ingredient switches.
Passover Appetizers
Passover Sweets and Desserts
Passover Brisket
Passover Snacks
Passover Meat and Salmon Dishes
Passover Vegetables and Sides
Prepared Kosher Products for Passover
If you want to stock up on some prepared items and snacks, here are some that I buy during Passover. Always make sure to check for the Kosher for Passover certification.
- Matzo
- Cream Cheese
- Cheese and Deli meats
- Pizza Sauce
- Chocolate Hazelnut Spread
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Chocolate Chips
- Wine
- Pickles and other Fermented Foods
I hope this guide helps you create some fun, satisfying dishes for Passover. Chag Pesach sameach!
Explore More Jewish Recipes
I create Jewish recipes for all holidays and occasions and share them on this blog. You'll love these throughout the year!
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