52 Best Passover Sides That Don't Involve Potatoes

When you think of Passover food, do you often envision a hearty main course accompanied by a side of potatoes? While potatoes are a staple on Passover, it's time to expand our culinary horizons and explore a wider array of flavors and ingredients.

In this roundup, we're highlighting a diverse selection of Passover side dishes that celebrate the season with vibrant flavors and textures. Say goodbye to the traditional sides and embrace the delicious possibilities of butternut squash, zucchini, mushrooms, cabbage, and so much more.

Whether you're hosting a Seder or simply looking to add some variety to your family’s holiday table, these delicious Passover side dishes are sure to impress.

Let's dive into the world of Passover side dishes and elevate our culinary traditions!

1. Ratatouille Stew by Jeffrey Eisner

Vegetarians, rejoice! Ratatouille is a rustic vegetable dish so deep in flavor, you might forget it’s made of only veggies! And I’ve turned it into a luscious stew. This is the perfect side dish—delicious both hot or cold—or a delightful meal in itself. It tastes like a wonderful harvest in your mouth—with zero guilt!

Prep Time: 45 minutes

2. Georgian Quinoa with Beets and Walnuts by Paula Shoyer

In the summer of 2018, food writer Jessica Halfin took me on a kosher street-food tour of Haifa, Israel and we shot a video of the tour. She took me to bakeries, a boureka place, and a fruit shop. My favorite savory stop was Baribcek, a small restaurant where I tasted this quinoa salad. They also serve a sabich bowl of warm hummus, fried eggplant, chickpeas, and tahini that rocked my world.

Prep Time: 35 minutes

3. Cauliflower Balls by Brynie Greisman

These cauliflower balls are equally good made dairy or pareve. They’re the kind of dish where you taste one, come back to have just one more, and just one more… and then they’re gone! The almond flour allows them to maintain a soft interior with a crispy exterior. I purposely didn’t sauté the onion to save a step. It softens while baking, and the flavor is amazing even without sautéing.

Prep Time: 1 hour

4. Creamy Beets and Dill by Alison Gutwaks

Beet, dill, and purple onion salad with creamy dressing you can make in minutes, though be sure to leave time for the flavors to come together in the fridge.

Prep Time: 3 hours, 5 minutes

5. Roasted Delicata Squash by Rorie Weisberg

This was one winter squash that stumped me for a long time. Somehow, I just couldn’t get the flavor right. I tried sweet. I tried savory. And then I hit on this. I knew I got the combination right when these slices literally disappeared off the cookie sheet.

Prep Time: 1 hour

6. Jicama Fries by Rorie Weisberg

This is one of my favorite potato swaps. I’ve been a fan of fresh jicama in salads or dipped in guacamole or tuna for a while. But once I tried to see if it would work well as fries, jicama became a staple veggie in my weekly shopping.

Jicama is a very unique starchy veggie. It’s low on the glycemic index but high in a number of vital nutrients. It’s also rich in inulin, a unique soluble fiber, which has been shown to help promote healthy gut flora.

Prep Time: 1 hour

7. Roasted Celery Root and Zucchini by Chaia Frishman

After reading my last recipe intro, you’ll know that this is much more up my alley. I personally never ate roasted celery root before this, but I figured it was time to try. I started off by baking the celery root on a lower temperature because I wasn’t sure how fast it would cook, and then I raised the temperature to char it a bit.

Prep Time: 40 minutes

8. Butternut Squash Pear Kugelettes by Chaia Frishman

Full disclosure: I am not a kugel kinda gal. Just give me some veggies to roast and I am a happy camper. That is, except for butternut squash kugel. When my ben bayis and his wife offer something for a meal, I always ask for a butternut squash kugel. I decided to add another element of flavor here and I think you’ll agree — even a non-kugel gal can be converted.

Prep Time: 40 minutes

9. Apple Kugel by Nechama Norman

Apple kugel is simply a classic, and this recipe is a really easy way to prepare it for Passover.

Prep Time: 30 minutes

10. Mock Lukshen-Kugel Muffins with Maple Walnut Crumb Topping by Faigy Grossman

Spaghetti squash is a great alternative to the carb-loaded pasta or potato sides. These muffins have an appealing apple and maple taste — you’ll even find yourself snacking on them between meals.

Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

11. Maple Cinnamon Carrots by Erin Grunstein