If you’ve gone on a gluten-free diet and thought you’d have to give up Gefilte Fish, guess again. My Paleo Gefilte Fish are gluten-free. They’re also every bit as tasty as the dish that is typically made with matzo meal.
We make this homemade Gefilte Fish recipe once a year. Since they’re not easy to make, we save them for the special occasion of Passover. Growing up my Bubby was a powerhouse in the kitchen. She cooked up her homemade Gefilte Fish for us often.
We serve this healthy Passover recipe with Maror, which is made of ground horseradish.
Gefilte Fish
Ingredients
- 1 pound halibut fillets, skinned and boned
- ½ pound salmon fillets, skinned and boned
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon celtic sea salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- ¼ cup fresh dill, finely chopped
- 1 cup grated carrots
- ½ cup parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
- Cut the fish into large chunks and place in a food processor
- Pulse until finely ground; do not puree
- Heat oil in a large frying pan
- Sauté onion over medium-low heat until soft and transparent, cool for 10 minutes
- Pulse onions, eggs, salt, pepper, and lemon juice into fish mixture
- Pulse in dill, carrots and parsley
- Refrigerate mixture for 3 hours
- Heat a large pot of water and bring to a boil
- Shape fish mixture into 1½-inch balls
- Drop balls into water and cook for 15-20 minutes until cooked through
- Place balls in a 9 x 13 inch baking dish and refrigerate to cool
- Serve with Horseradish Sauce and garnish with fresh sprigs of parsley
This Gefilte Fish recipe was inspired by one from Ellyn Goodrich called “Alaskan Halibut and Salmon Gefilte Fish Terrine.” While Goodrich’s recipe makes a “loaf,” mine is made into the more traditional balls. I’ve also added more vegetables to make the dish lighter. Finally, while hers contains gluten, I’ve created a gluten-free Gefilte Fish.
What are Gefilte Fish? They are simply fish balls made from a mixture of deboned fish that is then ground. This traditional dish is popular with Ashkenazi Jews and is served on Shabbat as well as Jewish holidays such as Passover.
Here are some of my other healthy Paleo Passover recipes:
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scilla says
How interesting! I know very little about Kosher foods. You say the gefilte fish is not easy to make but this recipe sounds pretty straightforward. What do you think is the hardest part?
Elana says
Scilla, most of my recipes have only 1 or 2 steps and this has a bit more preparation time.
Samantha says
Your gluten free gefilte fish looks wonderful, but I am also allergic to eggs. Do you have any suggestions for a way to hold the fish together without eggs? I would love to make this and surprise my family.
Elana says
Samantha, I haven’t tried that so not sure.
myrna schwartz says
how many servings does this make?
Alta says
I have never had gefilte fish, but these look so tasty and light. I can imagine they would be SO good with horseradish.
Sarah says
I’d like to try this but it’s hard to find fresh halibut. Will frozen suffice?
Elana says
Sarah, I haven’t tried that so not sure.
Iris says
I’ve never had gefilte fish, but this looks amazing! I might have to try it…
Rebecca says
Oy vey! These actually look edible — and delicious!
I’ll be away from my family this Passover so will definitely try them out for a (better) taste of home in Paris.
Just discovered your blog when looking for a coconut frosting recipe and have made your cupcakes here in my tiny Parisian kitchen and they’re DELICIOUS. I think your frosting changed my life :) Thanks and keep up the fab recipes!
Bisous from Paris, Rebecca
sgryz says
i am unfamiliar with gefilte fish. i thought it was stuffed into fish skin?
Naama says
This is going to be my first Passover without my grandma’s Gefilte around (she is well, it’s me who went far away). I never liked G”F but this one looks GOOOD.
Since I have tons of salmon in me freezer I will probably use only salmon. If you think it’s a big mistake – please stop me :-)
Shoshy says
You wouldn’t believe my reaction when I read the title – Gefilte Fish – my favorite! I seriously munch on it and chrain all the time. Blame my boyfriend’s Bubbie for introducing it to me (I’m Sephardic – and my family doesn’t serve it)
I just bookmarked this recipe for Sunday – can’t wait to see how my attempt turns out!