15 Modern Passover Recipes for Your Family’s Seder

By Real Simple Editors
Updated April 11, 2019
Credit: lipmic/Getty Images

Passover recipes are some of the tastiest, most looked-forward to Jewish dishes of the year. Sure, matzo doesn't hold a candle to challah, but matzo ball soup? Kugel? Brisket? (My stomach is growling now—but I guess that's better than locusts raining down on me.)

This year for your Passover meal, try some of our easy recipes for delicious appetizers and main courses—and maybe finish seder off with some chocolate-covered matzo so the adults feel better about not being able to look for the afikoman. I guess the wine helps that too, though...

Before you dust off those Haggadahs, recline on your chair-pillows, and try to get Elijah to drink with you, look through some of our hand-picked Passover recipes that will be perfect for this year's seder meal, whether you're looking to compliment your traditional dishes or for a new addition to your family's meal. L'chaim!

RELATED: The Best Passover Desserts

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Classic Chicken Soup

Credit: Anna Williams
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Simmer a whole chicken with carrots, onions, and celery to create a flavorful broth, then add fluffy matzoh balls to round out the soup.

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Matzo Balls

Credit: Jewish Holidays Cookbook
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The key to making fluffy, light matzo balls is to pack them loosely; you want them to float when they cook.

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Poached Salmon Salad With Beets

Credit: Con Poulos
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A tangy horseradish dressing brings together this salad of gently cooked salmon, thinly sliced beets, and watercress.

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Charoset

Credit: John David Becker
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This traditional dish—essential at every Seder ceremony—combines chopped apples, raisins, and walnuts in a sweet, spiced red wine sauce.

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Broiled Asparagus

Credit: Christopher Baker
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Broiling this spring vegetable is a quick way to make it tender and brings out its sweet, nutty essence.

6 of 15

Sautéed Spinach With Basil

Credit: Ngoc Minh Ngo
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Crunchy pine nuts and a healthy dose of sautéed garlic punch up this simple side.

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7 of 15

Horseradish Potato Gratin

Credit: Con Poulos
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Thinly sliced russet potatoes bake in a horseradish-infused cream until tender and golden.

8 of 15

Braised Chicken and Spring Vegetables

Credit: Marcus Nilsson
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Browned, juicy chicken thighs mingle with fresh carrots and radishes in a light broth.

9 of 15

Roast Beef and Onions

Credit: Con Poulos
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Let the meat rest for 15 minutes before slicing to ensure the beef stays juicy.

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Roasted Leg of Lamb With Carrots and Honey-Mint Sauce

Credit: Anna Williams
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Rub the lamb with a mixture of lemon zest, garlic, and oil to infuse the meat with bright, pungent flavors and aromas as it roasts.

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Braised Lamb Shanks With Fennel

Credit: Susie Cushner
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Brown the lamb in a Dutch oven, then cook slowly with white wine, tomatoes, garlic, onion, and rosemary until fork-tender and delicious.

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Slow-Cooker Coffee-Braised Brisket With Potatoes and Carrots

Credit: Sang An
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This well-priced cut of meat becomes tender and flavorful when cooked low and slow in a mix of tomato paste, coffee, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar.

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13 of 15

Lemony Almond Macaroons

Credit: Ellen Silverman
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You can make these sweet treats up to one week ahead of time. Let them cool completely and store in an airtight container at room temperature.

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Flourless Chocolate Cake

Credit: José Picayo
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Before serving, dust this rich, moist cake with confectioners’ sugar for an elegant presentation.

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Espresso Truffles

Credit: Hector Sanchez
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These decadent, coffee-infused bites are rolled in cocoa powder for an extra hint of chocolate.

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