It’s here — my Pesach menu template for 2024/5784, along with a filled-in sample to inspire your planning.
It’s hard to believe how quickly the season arrived. One moment winter felt endless, and the next we’re fully into Pesach preparations. Over the years I’ve refined a simple, dependable approach to planning menus that keeps the holidays enjoyable, not stressful.
My Pesach menu template is the result of that process — a true labor of love. I tend to keep a consistent core menu from year to year, making small swaps when a new recipe catches my eye. Simplicity is my goal: familiar dishes that everyone loves, prepared well. My Pesach Kitchen is my go-to cookbook for classic, reliable recipes I return to again and again.
For a long time I obsessed over variety, spending hours planning dozens of different dishes so nothing would repeat. That level of effort is unnecessary and often counterproductive. When you have tried-and-true favorites that your family enjoys, repeat them confidently. You don’t need to serve a long parade of courses at every meal. A well-chosen selection — one or two proteins, a couple sides and a salad — will keep the table balanced and your guests satisfied.
Below is a sample menu I used for Pesach 5784 to give you an idea of how I structure meals across Seder nights and intermediate days. Use it as a starting point and adjust portions and dishes to suit your household.
Pesach 5784 Sample Menu
| Appetizer | Dip | Salad | Side | Soup | Meat | Poultry | Side 1 | Side 2 | Dessert | Guest | |
| Seder 1 | gefilte fish | dill | coleslaw | beet salad | chicken soup | Yom Tov roast | x | potato kugel | apple crisp | nut torte | |
| Day 1 | dill salmon | matbucha | portobello salad | x | x | garlic brisket | kishke capons | mashed potatoes | carrot muffins | brownie & coffee ice cream | |
| Seder 2 | gefilte fish | spicy olive | crunchy coleslaw | x | chicken soup | Mommy’s YT Meat | x | roasted potatoes | apple crisp | nut torte | |
| Day 2 | chicken a la king | baba ganoush | Euro salad | guacamole | x | London broil | chicken marsala | scalloped potatoes | roasted cauliflower | mousse | |
| Thursday C”H | BBQ | ||||||||||
| Friday Night | harissa salmon | onion chutney | guacamole | fried eggplant | chicken soup | ribs | spinach chicken | potato kugel | apple kugel | blondie fruit platter | |
| ShabbosDay | eggs andliver | Mom’s eggplant | deli salad | deli platter | x | yapchik | grilled chicken | x | x | chip sticks | |
| SecondDaysNight 1 | meatball fish | jalapeno | green goddess | roasted eggplant | cream of chicken | pulled brisket | chicken saltimbocca | twice-baked potatoes | sweet potato souffle | mousse | |
| Second DaysDay 1 | pesto salmon | schug | big hearty | x | x | mushroom meatballs | California chicken | mashed potatoes | roasted broccoli | crumb cake | |
| Second DaysNight 2 | fish latkes | mushroom dip | terra chip | fried onions | cabbage soup | wine- braised roast | scalloped potato chicken | carrot muffins | sweet potatoes | misc. | |
| Second DaysDay 2 | cream salmon | garlic confit | crunchy coleslaw | x | x | London broil | pastrami capons | paprikash potatoes | apple crisp | misc. |
As I fill in the menu, I build the grocery list simultaneously. Writing the shopping list while planning each meal ensures nothing is overlooked and helps me see where the same ingredient appears in multiple dishes. When an ingredient is needed for different recipes, I list it multiple times and note the intended use in brackets — that makes quantities easier to estimate and prevents surprises at the store.
For example:
Kishe [capons]
Kishke [cholent]
I also save each year’s grocery lists and menu sheets so I can refer back after the holiday. That record helps me remember what I actually purchased, what the store might have been out of, and which items I should buy in larger quantities next time. Over time these saved lists become an efficient archive that speeds up planning for future years.
If you want to be fully ready for Pesach, take a look at my Pesach Buying Guide post for a comprehensive list of small appliances, utensils and equipment that make holiday cooking easier. Planning meals and supplies together reduces stress and helps you enjoy the holiday with family and friends.