18 Perfect Passover Recipes

This easy recipe, served at Wise Sons’ Seder pop-up in San Francisco, is from Beauty’s Bagel Shop in Oakland, CA.

Recipe: Homemade Matzos

This version of the traditional seder side dish, with dates and warm spices, leans toward North African flavors.

Recipe: Haroseth

"My grandmother (my safta, Hebrew for grandma) always made this mock liver because she felt it to be healthier than one made with liver and shmaltz (chicken fat)," says Evan Bloom of Wise Sons Jewish Delicatessen in San Francisco. The recipe is like a vegetable pâté, and Bloom and Wise Sons co-owner Leo Beckerman put it on the menu for Passover.

Recipe: Safta's Mock Liver

As an answer to gefilte fish from a jar, which can be heavy and strong-flavored, Evan Bloom and Leo Beckerman of Wise Sons Jewish Delicatessen in San Francisco created this very fresh and mild-tasting homemade version for Passover. The gefilte fish have a texture like light matzo balls, and are served with a carrot applesauce. Wise Sons also serves their own fresh horseradish sauce, but we've opted to buy it.

Recipe: Wise Sons' Gefilte Fish

This vibrant, shocking pink sauce, called maror, is served with matzo along with haroseth as part of the seder ceremony. It’s also great with short ribs during the meal.

Recipe: Horseradish Beet Sauce

Seder isn't complete without this feel-good classic.

Recipe: Matzo Ball Soup

Spicy matzo balls and a chile-infused chicken stock shake up this classic.

Recipe: Spicy Matzo-Ball Soup with Trinity Vegetables and Hot Peppers

This light and refreshing salad is a great first-course dish for seder.

Recipe: Chopped Endive Salad with Smoked Salmon

For Passover, Evan Bloom and Leo Beckerman of Wise Sons Jewish Delicatessen in San Francisco make this classic brisket, slow-braised in the oven with plenty of onions that get nice and sweet.

Recipe: Red Wine and Onion-Braised Passover Brisket

While brisket is more traditional seder fare, there's something soulfully delicious about a perfectly roasted chicken.

Recipe: Roasted Lemon Chicken with Shallots and Potatoes

This recipe works well with beef short ribs, too.

Recipe: North African Veal Shanks

Save time and oven space this Passover: Use a slow-cooker for brisket that’s tender when pierced, with a rich, velvety sauce. Start in the morning and you’ll have brisket by dinnertime.

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Brisket with Smoked Paprika

A deeply flavorful send-off to winter―with lots of spring vegetables thrown in. Inspiration was drawn from The Gourmet Jewish Cook (William Morrow Cookbooks, 1999; $20) by Judy Zeidler.

Recipe: Wine-braised Short Ribs with Parsnips, Carrots, and Artichokes

These mustard greens get a little snap from a drizzle of cider vinegar and lots of spring onions. If you can’t find them, use a triple amount of green onions instead—it’s equally good.

Recipe: Braised Mustard Greens with Spring Onions

To make these kosher, you can use coconut butter instead of cow’s-milk butter or cream.

Recipe: Smoked Sweet Potatoes

This cake will rise as it bakes, then sink dramatically in the center. Don’t worry—just trim the top and save the pieces for snacks.

Recipe: Flourless Chocolate-Pecan Cake

We love the combination of sweet strawberries and tangy-floral Meyer lemons. The meringue dessert recipe is from Karen Mitchell, owner of the Model Bakery in St. Helena, Calif.

Recipe: Meringue Cups with Strawberries and Meyer Lemon Curd

Ground almonds are the star in this light cake with sweet-tart raspberry sauce.

Recipe: Almond Torte with Raspberry Coulis