Are you wondering what kinds of fish you can serve at your Passover seder this year? With all the dietary restrictions around leavened foods during Passover, it can get confusing trying to plan out menu items that follow the rules Not to worry, we’ve got you covered on which fish options make for perfect Pesach dishes!
In this article, I’ll explain the guidelines around fish for Passover and give you some delicious recipe ideas featuring fish that are totally kosher for Pesach. Keep reading to get the full scoop so you can serve crowd-pleasing fish entrees at your seder that comply with the holiday food customs.
Why Fish is Allowed During Passover
First, let’s quickly cover why fish is permitted during the week of Passover when so many other foods are prohibited. Here’s a quick rundown:
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During Passover, Jews are prohibited from eating leavened products – anything made with wheat, barley, rye, spelt or oats that was allowed to rise or ferment. This includes breads, pastas, cereals, etc.
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However, fish is pareve (contains no meat or dairy) and does not contain any rising agents. So it’s considered kosher for Passover and can be eaten freely throughout the holiday week.
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The only exception is fish processed with breadcrumbs or served with cream sauces, as these would introduce forbidden leavened ingredients. As long as your fish recipes avoid breading and dairy, you’re good to go!
So basically, plain fish fillets fish patties fish balls, and the like are all great Pesach dinner options. Now let’s look at which varieties of fish work best for Passover meals.
The Best Fish for Your Passover Feast
You’ve got lots of tasty fish in the sea (and rivers and lakes!) to choose from when planning your Passover menus Here are some of the top kinds of fish that are perfect for Pesach
Salmon
This flaky, pink fish is a true crowd-pleaser. It’s got a versatile flavor that works well with lots of different seasonings and cooking methods. Salmon fillets, patties, or balls make excellent choices for your seder plate or as Pesach entrees.
Some delicious Passover salmon recipes to try:
- Maple Glazed Salmon – Maple syrup gives a sweet touch
- Lemon Garlic Salmon – Bright citrus flavor
- Salmon Cakes – Formed into hearty patties
Tilapia
A mild white fish that retains moisture well during cooking. Tilapia fillets can be seasoned simply with salt, pepper, and olive oil, or jazz it up with your favorite Passover-friendly spices.
Does your family love tacos? Make corn tortillas and top with seasoned tilapia for a fun Pesach twist on Taco Tuesday.
Cod
This white, flaky fish is affordable, widely available, and takes well to all cooking methods. It has a subtle flavor that absorbed other seasonings nicely.
Try baking cod fillets with a drizzle of olive oil, plus chopped fresh dill or thyme and garlic. Cod fish balls also make a delicous appetizer for your seder meal.
Halibut
A firm, thick white fish with a sweet, buttery flavor. Halibut holds up well to bold spices and when grilled or pan-seared.
For Passover, marinate halibut steaks in a blend of lemon, herbs, and garlic before grilling for a restaurant-quality dish.
Trout
Whether you choose rainbow, brown, or steelhead, trout has a delicate flavor and texture. It’s delicious baked or grilled whole for a fancy presentation at your seder table.
Stuff the cavity with lemon slices, fresh herbs, and garlic, then bake until the skin is crisp and the meat flakes easily. Your Pesach guests will be impressed!
Sole or Flounder
These thin, delicate white fish fillets cook up light and tender. They take well to breading – but avoid that during Passover! Instead, dust the fillets with matzah meal before pan-frying in olive oil for a Pesach-friendly twist.
Sole or flounder stuffed with a lemony herb mixture also makes an elegant Passover entree.
Perch or Bass
Both perch and bass fillets have a sweet, mild flavor that absorbs other seasonings well. Coat the fillets in matzah meal then pan-fry, or use italian breadcrumbs after Passover. Bake with tomatoes, white wine, and olives for a flavorful meal.
For easy weeknight dinners, keep it simple with salt, pepper, and olive oil on perch or bass fillets. Bake or saute, then add a squeeze of lemon juice.
Mahi Mahi
This Hawaiian favorite has a wonderfullyfirm, meaty texture. The flavor is mild and a little sweet. Mahi mahi holds up well on the grill, under the broiler, or blackened in a cast iron skillet.
Spice it up for your seder plate with cajun seasonings and a quick marinade of lime juice, herbs, and oil. Your family will devour this pescatarian-friendly fish!
Haddock
Similar in taste and texture to cod. This white fish has a sweet, delicate flavor that even picky eaters will enjoy.
Haddock fillets bake up moist and flaky. For Passover, top them with seasoned matzah crumbs, or fresh parsley, basil, and chives for flavor.
Catfish
While not as popular as some other fish choices, catfish has a unique taste and texture worth trying for Pesach. It’s affordable too!
Catfish holds up to frying, baking, grilling, and stands up to rich flavors like smoked paprika, cayenne, and cumin. Blackened catfish fillets are sure to satisfy.
Creative Ways to Prepare Fish for Your Passover Meals
Now that you know the best finfish options for keeping kosher for Passover, let’s look at some cooking methods and recipe ideas to serve fish for your seder and throughout the holiday week.
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Baked Fish Fillets – The easiest preparation, just place seasoned fillets on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 400F for 10-15 minutes depending on thickness.
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Pan-Seared – Heat olive oil in a skillet. Add seasoned fillets and cook 2-3 minutes per side until browned and flaky in the center.
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En Papillote – Place fillets on parchment paper or foil. Top with veggies, herbs, citrus, then seal and bake for a steam-cooked meal.
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Gefilte Fish – Make this traditional Passover appetizer with ground, seasoned fish shaped into balls or loaves and simmered in broth.
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Crispy Fish Sticks – Coat fillets strips with matzah meal and bake or fry for a Pesach-approved kid-friendly dish.
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Fish Croquettes – Make easy baked patties by combining cooked, flaked fish with matzah meal, eggs, and seasoning.
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Fish Chowder – For a hearty Pesach soup, saute fish chunks, veggies, seasonings, and chicken broth. Avoid heavy cream to keep it kosher.
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Cajun Blackened Fish – For spicy fillets, coat them in Cajun spice blend then sear in a hot skillet with oil until crusted.
Wishing you and your family a wonderful Pesach celebration!
Gefilte Fish Passover Special! | Canned Fish Files Ep. 42
What to eat on Passover?
More of the Backstory after the recipe … Mild fish is ground with onions and spices and simmered in fish stock to form a light and delicate gefilte fish. Serve with spicy horseradish for a classic Passover first course. Have your fishmonger remove the heads and bones from enough fish to yield five pounds of white fish, pike and carp.
Can you eat gefilte fish during a Passover Seder?
There are a number of reasons why gefilte fish might be enjoyed during a Passover seder beyond just its taste. The preparation process behind gefilte fish satisfies several stipulations of a kosher diet. On the Sabbath, some Jewish people are religiously prohibited from igniting a heat source, meaning cooked fish is forbidden.
How do you make a fish ball on Passover?
First you’ll need to put up a stock of water, onion, carrot, salt and sugar. While that comes to a boil, mix the fish ball ingredients together. You’ll need ground pike and whitefish, ground onion, eggs, water, sugar and salt. The batter will not be very firm, but it will still roll into balls. Note: Many people do not wet their matzah on Passover.
How do you make gefilte fish for Passover?
This Gefilte Fish recipe is a foolproof version of this traditional passover dish. Place the reserved bones, skin, and fish heads in a wide, very large saucepan with a cover. Add the water and 2 teaspoons of the salt and bring to a boil. Remove the foam that accumulates. Slice 1 onion in rounds and add along with 3 of the carrots.