Passover doesn’t have to spike your blood sugar. This guide covers every course of the Seder—from soup to dessert—with keto-friendly adaptations that honor tradition without the carb crash.
📋 What’s in This Guide
- Matzo Ball Soup – gluten-free with almond flour
- Low-Carb Charoset – the Seder plate essential
- Main Courses – brisket, chicken, fish
- Side Dishes – kugels and vegetables
- Desserts – macaroons, flourless cake, more
The good news? Many traditional Passover foods are naturally low-carb. The challenge is the matzo-based dishes and sweet desserts. We’ve solved both problems with smart swaps that taste authentic.
🥑 The Keto Passover Pantry
Almond Flour: Your matzo meal replacement for matzo balls, kugels, and baked goods. Use finely ground blanched for best results.
Coconut Flour: Works alongside almond flour in some recipes. Absorbs more liquid, so use sparingly.
Monk Fruit or Stevia: Kosher-for-Passover sweeteners that won’t spike blood sugar.
Eggs: The binding agent in almost every Passover recipe—and naturally keto.
Schmaltz: Rendered chicken fat is traditional, flavorful, and zero-carb.
Matzo Ball Soup
The centerpiece of the Passover dinner. Traditional matzo balls are made with matzo meal (ground wheat), but our Gluten-Free Matzo Ball Soup uses almond flour for tender, fluffy dumplings with just 3g net carbs per serving.
The texture is remarkably similar to traditional matzo balls. The key is to use finely ground blanched almond flour and to let the dough chill before shaping.
Low-Carb Charoset
Charoset represents the mortar used by Jewish slaves in Egypt. Traditional versions are heavy on dried fruit and honey, but our Low-Carb Charoset uses fresh green apples, walnuts, cinnamon, and a touch of sugar-free wine.
The result is all the symbolic meaning with a fraction of the sugar. Use it on the Seder plate and as a condiment throughout the meal.
Main Courses
Traditional Passover mains are often naturally keto-friendly:
Brisket: Slow-braised beef brisket with onions, garlic, and wine. No modifications needed—just skip any recipes calling for flour-thickened gravy.
Roast Chicken: Seasoned with herbs, garlic, and lemon. Roast on a bed of vegetables for a complete meal.
Gefilte Fish: Traditional versions sometimes contain matzo meal. Look for recipes using almond flour or make your own with just fish, eggs, onion, and seasonings.
Side Dishes
Cauliflower Kugel: Replaces potato kugel with riced cauliflower, eggs, and schmaltz. Same comfort food texture, minimal carbs.
Roasted Vegetables: Asparagus, green beans, Brussels sprouts, and zucchini are all Passover-appropriate and keto-friendly.
Cucumber Salad: Fresh cucumbers with dill, vinegar, and a touch of sweetener. Refreshing alongside rich mains.
Passover Desserts
Passover desserts are traditionally nut-heavy (no flour allowed), which works in our favor:
Sugar-Free Coconut Macaroons: Shredded coconut, egg whites, and monk fruit sweetener. Our 4-ingredient recipe is a Seder favorite.
Flourless Chocolate Cake: Made with almond flour, eggs, and dark chocolate. Naturally Passover-appropriate and easy to make keto with sugar substitutes.
Almond-Apple Spice Cake: Our diabetic-friendly version uses almond flour and monk fruit for a moist, flavorful cake.
Seder Plate Tips for Keto
Maror (Bitter Herbs): Horseradish and romaine lettuce are zero-carb. No changes needed.
Karpas (Spring Vegetable): Parsley or celery dipped in salt water. Zero-carb.
Charoset: Use our low-carb version with green apples and walnuts.
Zeroa (Shank Bone): Symbolic only—not eaten. No carbs involved.
Beitzah (Egg): Hard-boiled egg. Naturally keto.
Matzo: The challenge. Use a small symbolic portion, or explore almond flour matzo recipes.
📦 Meal Prep Timeline
3-4 Days Before: Make broth for matzo ball soup. Prepare brisket (it improves with time).
2 Days Before: Make charoset. Prepare matzo ball dough and refrigerate.
1 Day Before: Bake desserts. Prep vegetables for roasting.
Day Of: Roll and cook matzo balls. Roast vegetables. Reheat brisket. Assemble Seder plate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is almond flour kosher for Passover?
Yes, almond flour is kosher for Passover for all Jewish traditions. It contains no chametz (leavened grain) and is not kitniyot.
Can I follow keto during Passover?
Yes! Many traditional Passover foods are naturally low-carb. The main challenges are matzo and sweet desserts, both of which can be adapted using almond flour and sugar substitutes.
What sweeteners are kosher for Passover?
Stevia, monk fruit, and erythritol are generally accepted as kosher for Passover. Always check for a kosher-for-Passover certification on the package.
How do I handle the four cups of wine on keto?
Dry red wine is relatively low in carbs, at about 4g per glass. Choose a dry kosher wine and account for it in your daily carb count.
🍽️ All Passover Recipes
Gluten-free with almond flour
Traditional apple-walnut blend
4-ingredient classic
Your matzo meal replacement
Passover is about freedom—including freedom from blood sugar spikes. With these adaptations, you can honor tradition, enjoy delicious food, and feel great throughout the holiday.
Medical Disclaimer: The nutritional information and diabetic-friendly adaptations provided in this article are for informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we are culinary experts, not medical doctors. Individual responses to foods vary, and you should always consult with your healthcare provider or registered dietitian about dietary changes, especially if you’re managing diabetes or other health conditions. Always monitor your blood sugar as recommended by your healthcare team.
