Passover is one of the most important Jewish holidays. It commemorates the exodus of the Jews from slavery in Egypt. Passover is a celebration of freedom that extends far beyond the Jews and the story as we acknowledge and fight for the freedom of all who are enslaved. Passover is observed for eight days and begins with a feast called the Passover Seder held on the first and second nights of the holiday.

This celebration has a lot of food restrictions centering on the forbiddance to eat leavened food products which symbolized the haste with which the Hebrews had to escape Egypt. That means no foods made with yeast, wheat, rye, barley, or spelt. Plus, several animal foods are traditional to the rituals.

In addition to these restrictions, some Ashkenazi Jews also stay away from other foods known as kitniyot. This includes rice, corn, millet, peas, beans, legumes, peanuts, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, and mustard seeds. Soybeans are prohibited which makes it somewhat harder for people trying to eat more plant-based meals. Not all people follow this so some of the recipes here will contain kitniyot. If you need ideas and recipes, here are 15 recipes from the Food Monster App that will make your Passover seder festive and delicious.

We also highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App  — with over 20,000 delicious recipes it is the largest meatless, vegan, plant-based, and allergy-friendly recipe resource to help you get healthy! And, don’t forget to check out our Holidays & Festival Archives!

1. Matzoh Ball Soup

Source: Matzo Ball Soup

Bring on Passover with Mark Reinfeld‘s veganized version of traditional Matzo Ball Soup which is practically indistinguishable from anything you had in pre-vegan days. The matzo balls are held together with ground quinoa and flaxseeds, which makes them heartier than the traditional egg-infused ones.

2. Charoset

Source: Charoset

This Charoset recipe by Rhea Parsons is a mixture of nuts, apples, wine, and spices. It is used to symbolize the mortar used to layer bricks and the hard labor done by the slaves but it is also sweet for the sweetness of freedom. This dish is part of the seder ritual and is delicious spread on matzoh.

3. Vegan Gefilte ‘Fish’

Source: Vegan Gefilte ‘Fish’

Gelfilte fish is a traditional dish on Passover. It is made from groundfish and served with horseradish. This Vegan Gefilte ‘Fish’ by Rhea Parsons is made with chickpeas, sauteed vegetables, seaweed flakes, Old Bay seasoning, and lemon. It looks like Gefilte fish and the texture is spot on. Serve it with prepared horseradish on a bed of purple cabbage.

4. Vegan Fried Matzoh Brei

Source: Vegan Fried Matzoh Brei

Fried matzoh and matzoh brei are two traditional Passover breakfast dishes. The former keeps the matzoh in large pieces while the latter breaks it up into small pieces. This Vegan Fried Matzoh Brei by Rhea Parsons uses tofu and chickpea flour but you can use your favorite egg replacer as well.

5. Simple Coconut Macaroons

Source: Simple Coconut Macaroons

Joyce Gan‘s Simple Coconut Macaroons are yummy treats that are also good for you. They’re free of refined sugar but still sweet. As they bake, the coconut toasts and takes on a delightfully nutty flavor. You don’t need any special ingredients to make these, either — everything you need is likely already in your pantry.

6. Mushroom Walnut Paté

Source: Mushroom Walnut Paté

You can’t celebrate a Jewish holiday without chopped liver. Well, you can certainly celebrate without the actual liver but Liz Mochrie‘s Mushroom Walnut Paté should be on the menu. It’s rich, creamy, earthy, and surprisingly easy to make. Enjoy it on matzoh or as a dip for vegetable crudités – but however you choose to spread it around, this pâté will instantly make your meal more memorable.

7. Matzo Toffee

Source: Matzo Toffee

Danie Feld‘s Matzo Toffee is a perfect treat for Passover. It’s one of the easiest desserts you’ll ever make. The matzo is covered with homemade caramel and chocolate. Add whatever toppings you like such as nuts or dried fruit. This will be the hit of your holiday feast.

8. Vegan and Grain-Free Passover Macaroons

Source: Vegan and Grain-Free Passover Macaroons

Macaroons are traditional Passover desserts and Barbara Sitomer‘s Vegan and Grain-Free Passover Macaroons are perfect for serving at your seder. The main ingredient is coconut and you can flavor them with several variations. These are quick and easy to make and sure to please any coconut lover.

9. No-Bake Almond Butter Chocolate Macaroons

Source: No-Bake Almond Butter Chocolate Macaroons

Danielle Joy‘s No-Bake Almond Butter Chocolate Macaroons must be part of your holiday dinner. Made with coconut, walnuts, and almond butter, these treats are chewy, nutty, and delicious. Make a bunch because these are going to disappear quickly.

10. Chocolate-Covered Matzoh

Source: Chocolate-Covered Matzoh

If, like most people, you end up with lots of extra matzoh, make this Chocolate-Covered Matzoh by Rhea Parsons. It’s rich, slightly sweet, and crispy. Be sure to add that pinch of sea salt; it makes all the difference and really enhances the taste. Try this and you’ll not only have leftover matzoh but you’ll be buying extra boxes just to make this.

11. Raspberry and Chocolate Macaroons

Source: Raspberry and Chocolate Macaroons

It’s no wonder that macaroons have seen a huge surge in popularity within the past few years. Macaroons are very straightforward to make and contain very simple ingredients. These Raspberry and Chocolate Macaroons by Buffy-Ellen Gill are the perfect balance of sweet and tart, with warm vanilla and coconut complementing the classic flavor combination.

12. Healthy Quinoa Salad

Source: Healthy Quinoa Salad

Quinoa is not a grain but a seed so it’s allowed during Passover. Wendy Irene‘s Healthy Quinoa Salad is perfect for your Passover dinner. Add whatever veggies you like most and a few chopped nuts for crunch. It can also be made in advance so you can spend your time preparing other dishes.

13. Fried Matzo 

Source: Fried Matzo

Try this vegan version of Fried Matzo by Rhea Parsons for Passover! It’s a delicious take on this Jewish tradition.

14. Passover Matzo Pie

Source: Passover Matzo Pie

This Passover Matzo Pie by Cruelty Free Family is hearty, creamy, and dreamy!  Even if you don’t celebrate Passover, this is a great alternative to lasagna and can even be modified to your liking.

15. Chocolate Banana Avocado Pudding

Source: Chocolate Banana Avocado Pudding

Fabio Gallo‘s Chocolate Banana Avocado Pudding is a fast and easy recipe for a perfect healthy treat. The avocado is tasteless and makes it so creamy! With a few basic ingredients and a little time to spare, you can have a delicious vegan dessert. It is a basic recipe that is very versatile. Add fresh fruit, nut butter, or even more chocolate to make it your own.

Happy Passover!

Learn How to Cook Plant-Based Meals at Home!

Reducing your meat intake and eating more plant-based foods is known to help with chronic inflammation, heart health, mental wellbeing, fitness goals, nutritional needs, allergies, gut health, and more! Dairy consumption also has been linked to many health problems, including acne, hormonal imbalance, cancer, prostate cancer and has many side effects.

For those of you interested in eating more plant-based, we highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App — with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest plant-based recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy! And, while you are at it, we encourage you to also learn about the environmental and health benefits of a plant-based diet.

Here are some great resources to get you started:

• Weekly Vegan Meal Plans
• Plant-Based Health Resources
• Plant-Based Food & Recipes
• Plant-Based Nutrition Resources
• The Ultimate Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition
• Budget-Friendly Plant-Based Recipes
• High Protein Plant-Based Recipes
• Plant-Based Meal Prep

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
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