Gluten-Free Passover Foods

Passover is one of the most important holidays in the Jewish religion and participants often look forward to the traditional seder dinner. A Passover dinner must adhere to very strict rules that prohibit the consumption of leavened breads. Because grains containing gluten are generally forbidden, it is possible for someone adhering to a gluten-free diet to enjoy most Passover foods. Conversely, a non-Jewish person suffering from celiac disease, which is an inability to absorb the grains found in gluten, may choose typical Passover foods because they are sure to be gluten-free.

Rules Concerning Grains

In Jewish law, foods that come into contact with water made with barley, oats, wheat, rye and spelt are not allowed to be served at Passover. To be safe, most Passover dishes do not contain any traces of these grains whatsoever. Since these grains are the main sources of dietary gluten in a typical diet, it follows that the majority of Passover foods will not contain any gluten whatsoever, making them ideal for a celiac sufferer or anyone else who chooses a gluten-free diet.

Typical Gluten-Free Passover Entrees

Although Passover menus will vary from family to family, there are some traditional staple dishes, most of which are gluten-free. Haroset, or charoset, is a blend of fruits and nuts that is often the first item on a Passover menu. Brisket is also a common Passover dish. Passover meals are usually rounded out with vegetable dishes that pose no risk for those with gluten-free diets. Potato-based items such as potato starch noodles or potato pancakes are also gluten-free.

Gluten-Free Matzo

The one gluten-laden item that is essential to a Passover dinner is the unleavened bread matzo. Matzo is made of wheat, thus making it off-limits to a gluten-free diet. Matzo is the central ingredient in traditional Passover recipes like matzo ball soup and is also found in items like gefilte fish and some cereals. Those looking to eat gluten-free should avoid any commercially made matzo products and only eat Passover foods that are labeled non-gebrokt, or matzo that has not absorbed water. If you want to participate in the tradition of eating matzo at Passover, you can make your own gluten-free matzo using gluten-free kosher flour.

Gluten-Free Passover Desserts

Like savory Passover foods, sweets served at Passover cannot contain leavened grains. With the exception of treats such as chocolate-covered matzo, this makes most Passover desserts automatically gluten-free. Flour-free cakes, flavored with chocolate, orange, cherry or other flavors, make for a sweet ending to a Passover meal.