I’ve always loved the Passover table. You sit around asking questions, telling stories, and eating Matzoh Ball Soup. Plus all the fresh herbs! What’s not to love?
That said, Passover and veganism can be, let’s say, an adventure. Even after a lifetime of cooking for this holiday I’m still not totally sure what’s allowed and what isn’t — it depends on whether you’re Ashkenazi or Sephardic and about a million other factors. So let’s just say I avoided the big one: leavened bread. I do include legumes. And many of the traditions here are a little quirky and specific to me and my family, but I love to share them and you can see what works for you.
But the bottom line: check with your rabbi or the internet. I’ve noted kitniyot (legumes, soy) where it applies, but honestly your table knows its own rules better than I do.
Now go make something delicious. The questions can wait, the food cannot.
Vegetarian Chopped Liver
A Brooklyn deli staple! Walnuts, mushrooms, caramelized onions. Serve with matzo and gorgeous rainbow carrots and grapes and give it the business. It deserves to shine!
Vegan Matzoh Ball Soup
The reason for the season! Golden broth (go homemade for this), lots of dill, and pillowy matzoh balls made with silken tofu instead of eggs. I’ve been making this recipe for decades and I’m not stopping anytime soon. Neither will you. (kitniyot: tofu)
Cauliflower Leek Kugel
Kugel is usually a side, but I think of it as a main. Maybe because I’m vegan and see cauliflower as a meal, but also maybe because this is the thing I always want to eat the most of. Creamy cauliflower and sweet leeks in a silken tofu base with a crunchy almond herb crust. Always a hit. (kitniyot: tofu)
Chickpea Egg Salad
Black salt gives this its unmistakable egg salad quality. It’s also got plenty of dill, and if you learn one thing from this roundup let it be: you can never have enough dill. Stuff the salad into avocado halves and it becomes even more egg-like, making it a must for the Seder table. (kitniyot: chickpeas)
Strawberry Feta Salad with Maple Dijon Dressing
Fresh strawberries, crumbled almond feta, toasted pistachios, and a creamy maple Dijon dressing that you will want to dip everything in. It’s so pretty, I think we need more strawberries at the Seder. Who is with me?
Samosa Spiced Latkes with Pear Chutney
Crispy potato latkes with cumin, curry, and smoked paprika, served with a sweet pear chutney. I love an unexpected spiced latke with a little razzle dazzle! Leave out the peas to keep it kitniyot-free, or don’t — either way they’re spectacular. (kitniyot: peas)
Tempeh Chimichurri
Bright, herby chimichurri with roasted asparagus. I have made chimichurri a tradition at the Passover table because of all the fresh herbs. You can swap in roasted cauliflower or eggplant for the tempeh if you like! But the fresh herbs are the important part. (kitniyot: tempeh)
Smoky Tomato Lentil Soup with Spinach & Olives
Rich, smoky, and flavored with smoked paprika, fire-roasted tomatoes, and kalamata olives. This soup always feels very Hungarian bubbeh to me. (kitniyot: lentils)
Jacque’s Bouef Bourguignon
This is the vegan brisket moment! I know the title is French but hear me out. Wine-braised jackfruit with porcini mushrooms and pearl onions. Make sure you use the kosher for Passover swaps (potato starch, wine). Serve over a ridiculous amount of mashed potatoes. (kitniyot: lentils)
Mashed Potatoes
No holiday table is complete without mashed potatoes! This recipe offers four variations, but even the straight up version is straight up delicious. You can also try Roasted Red Pepper (gorgeous and orange), Pesto (more herbs!) or Roasted Garlic (always a winner).
Baked Apples with Sweet Potato Filling & Candied Pecans
Gingery sweet potato in baked red apples, topped with candied pecans. The magic of this recipe: it works as a side AND a dessert, and the pecans alone are worth making.
Avocado Shamrock Shakes
Ok, so serving Shamrock Shakes at Passover became a tradition for me when I opened the restaurants. I guess since St. Patrick’s Day and Passover are close together, the shakes were a holdover. And I realized how wonderful a mint shake was with Passover food. Fresh and creamy, and more fresh herbs! Make it a tradition in your household.
Chocolate Hazelnut Truffle Pie
Basically a Nutella pie, no bake filling, only a few ingredients. All in a matzoh crust! It’s the dessert people will ask for every year. And if nothing else, use the Graham Cracker Matzoh Crust however you like.
