Passover Cooking Guide

Steeped in rich tradition and ancient history, the Passover Seder marks the beginning of the Jewish holiday Passover. This holiday, which falls in either March or April commemorates the Hebrew people's escape from slavery in Egypt.

Want some fresh takes on Passover Seder traditions? From the chazeret greens to the flour-free desserts, our Passover recipes make springtime dinner sensations.

Starters
Main Courses
Side Dishes
Desserts

Starters

Begin your Seder with our simple, scrumptious starters.

Many Passover Seders start with a matzo ball soup course. Order your matzo ball soup from the Giant Eagle^® Prepared Foods Department or whip up a fresh batch of Easy Chicken Soup with Quick and Easy Matzo Balls.
Symbolic foods are Passover Seder staples. Bitter greens (typically kale), called chazeret in Hebrew, and bitter herbs (typically horseradish), called maror in Hebrew, symbolize the harsh confines of slavery that Hebrews endured in ancient Egypt.
- Kale, horseradish and shredded potatoes come together in this delightful Kale and Potato Hash. Shallots, kosher salt and black pepper play up the strong notes of the greens.
- At a traditional Seder, parsley, or karpas, dipped in salt water, symbolizes the origins of Hebrew people and the tears of the slaves. This colorful Warm Beet and Spinach Salad presents a beautiful medley of flavor from Kalamata olives, garlic and parsley.
Complement your Seder offerings with a tray of assorted olives and kosher dill pickles. Visit the Olive and Antipasti Bar at select Giant Eagle^® locations and choose everything you need for your meal.

Main courses

The Passover Seder plate typically contains Z'roa, meaning "shank of lamb," "poultry wing" or "poultry neck" in Hebrew. Z'roa symbolizes sacrifice and bloodshed. Today, many people celebrate Passover by eating a lamb dish, a chicken dish or both.

This recipe for Passover Roast Chicken twists tradition with a savory stuffing of matzo, apricots and chicken broth. (For the glatt kosher version, prepare a certified-glatt chicken with glatt kosher poultry or vegetable broth.)
Keep your Seder meat course easy with this recipe for Simple Roast Chicken. Tarragon, thyme and garlic provide light, herbaceous flavor accents.
Fresh spring basil and savory pine nuts offer a zesty flavor backdrop for Mint Pesto-Rubbed Leg of Lamb. For a dairy-free version of the pesto, substitute two tablespoons soy crumbles for two tablespoons grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
For a crisp and delicious twist on classic lamb, make Roast Rack of Lamb with Herb Crust. The olive-oil-and-breadcrumb coating provides a pleasing crunch that accents the tender meat beautifully.

Side dishes

Make your Passover Seder an event to remember with the perfect accompaniments. Our side dishes offer new takes on traditional favorites — including kugel, tzimmes, potatoes, and asparagus.

Unleavened grain, chiefly matzo, is a Passover pantry staple. This Apple Matzo Kugel recipe takes just minutes, and satisfies with sweet-and-crunchy splash.
A pinch of thyme and a pinch of sage give a mellow, earthy flavor to redskin potatoes in this recipe for Roasted New Potatoes. Top these baby tubers with dashes of coarse-ground pepper and kosher salt.
Want a healthy twist on sweet-potato fries? This recipe for Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Balsamic Drizzle combines olive-oil and tangy balsamic vinegar, creating decadent potato snacks with intense flavor.
Tzimmes is a traditional Jewish dish, typically made from carrots and fruits, and sweetened with honey. In this recipe for classic, Easy Carrot Tzimmes, plump golden raisins and bold walnuts take center stage.
The vibrant taste of spring asparagus brings pep to your Passover Seder. This classic dish, Simple Sautéed Asparagus features a gorgeous presentation of color and flavor. (Pareve variation: Omit cheese in recipe, and top vegetables with dashes of ground black pepper and kosher salt.)
If you'd like to serve a cold spring salad with your meal, this crunchy, tasty Asparagus Salad satisfies. It's so simple to make, too, requiring only two ingredients.

Desserts

Your Passover Seder isn't complete without dessert. Try one — or all three — of our easy-to-make, flour-free sweet treats and welcome springtime.

Chocolate and coconut share the spotlight in this wonderfully decadent and delightful recipe, Chocolate-Dipped Matzos for Passover.
Lemon zest and almond extract create a palate-pleasing bouquet of flavor in this recipe for Passover Macaroons with a Citrus Twist. With only seven ingredients, including matzo meal as flour, these cookies are simple and stress-free.
Made savory with orange zest and heart-healthy walnuts, this flourless Passover Chocolate Nut Cake tastes delicious with sweet hints of apricot flavor.