Passover Seder
Question
Can you eat roasted meat at the Seder?
Answer
Pesach: Roasted Meat
There is indeed a lesser-known ban on eating roasted meat at the Seder. This is to ensure that one does not accidentally confuse the meat that one eats at the Seder with a Korban Pesach , the Pesach offering. (1) When the Beit Hamikdash was standing, the only roasted meat that was permitted to be eaten on the Seder night was the Korban Pesach. Even though nowadys there is no Korban Pesach, we still observe the ban on not eating any other roasted meat at the Seder. This is true at the second Seder in the Diaspora, as well. It is permitted however, to eat roasted meat at the daytime meals on the first and second day of Pesach. (2)
The ban on eating roasted meat at the Seder includes all meat and poultry, not merely lamb, goat, or sheep. (3) One is permitted to eat roasted fish or eggs as such foods cannot possibly be confused with the Korban Pesach. (4) While most Jews adhere strictly to the ban on eating roasted meat at the Seder, Yemenite Jews did not accept it and do not hesitate to do so.(5) On the other hand, there is also an extreme custom not to eat any meat at all at the Seder lest it be confused with roasted meat. (6) Common custom, of course, is not like this last view. It is forbidden to roast a whole lamb on Erev Pesach after midday, no matter when one intends to eat it, as onlookers could be led to believe that one is preparing a Korban Pesach . (7)
There is some discussion, however, as to what exactly is defined as “roasted” for this purpose. Certainly included in the ban is meat prepared in dry heat without the addition of any liquids. (8) This would include barbecuing or even baking in an oven, if no liquid is added to the pot or pan. As such, one should not eat the zeroah , the roasted shank bone that is placed on the Seder plate, if indeed it was roasted in dry heat. (9) Nevertheless, one may and should eat it during the daytime meal. Indeed, throwing away the zeroah is halachically problematic as it is considered a mitzva item that should not be thrown in the garbage. (10)
It is permitted, however, to roast meat in the oven if one adds water or sauces and the like. As such, most “roast” or “brisket” recipes may be prepared and eaten at the Seder, as liquids are usually added to them before they are placed in the oven. Some authorities are lenient and allow any meat that was prepared in an oven even if no liquid is added. This is because the Korban Pesach had to be prepared over an open fire. It was disqualified if prepared in an oven. (11) Common custom is to be stringent and require the addition of liquid. Most authorities permit eating meat that was fried in oil. (12)
Meat that was roasted but then cooked in water or other liquids may be eaten at the Seder. An example of this would be a liver sauté in which the liver is first roasted but then prepared in a sauce. (13) However, meat that was first cooked in liquid and later roasted may not be eaten. (14) This would include most smoked meats and dried meats such as salami and beef jerky.(15) Once again, if such meats were cooked in liquid, such as if they were part of a stew, it would be permissible to eat them.
Source
[1] Pesachim 53a; OC 476:1.
[2] Shaarei Teshuva 473:2
[3] OC 476:2; Mishna Berura 476:8.
[4] Mishna Berura 476:9.
[5] As per Rambam, Hilchot Chametz U’matza 8:11.
[6] Taz, OC 476:2.
[7] OC 469:1; Mishna Berura 469:5
[8] Mishna Berura 476:1.
[9] Although some use cooked chicken necks for the zeroah, it seems that the zeroah should really be roasted. OC 473:4; Mishna Berura 473:28,29.
[10] Mishna Berura, 473:23; Chayei Adam 130:6.
[11] Aruch Hashulchan, OC 476:2.
[12] Aruch Hashulchan, OC 486:4.
[13] Aruch Hashulchan, OC 476:4. See Be’er Heitev 476:1; Shaar Hatziun 476:2; and Kaf Hachaim, OC 476:4 for opinions who forbid such meat.
[14] Mishna Berura 476:1.
[15] Piskei Teshuvot 476:1.