Traditional Hanukkah Recipes for Dinner

Hanukkah Recipes for Dinner
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If you don’t know much about Jewish culture, the traditional elements of Hanukkah may surprise you! The central symbol of this celebration is actually the miracle of the oil, so that’s the reason why the Hanukkah feast involves so many different fried foods. That way, they honor the Temple oil that lasted for eight days.

Of course, the dinner is not all about fried foods – you will find some amazingly prepared meats, delicious desserts, and refreshing sides! Here is a list of traditional Hanukkah dinner recipes to inspire you!

Crispy Potato Latkes

If you needed to choose one iconic Hanukkah dish, that would definitely be latkes! They involve crispy potato pancakes fried in oil with a dip on the side – what’s there not to love?!

Grandma’s Potato Latkes Recipe
My Grandma’s Potato Latkes Recipe is THE BEST. You can make gluten-free latkes with this easy recipe. The BEST part of Hanukkah.
Check out this recipe
Grandma’s Potato Latkes Recipe

Sufganiyot – Jelly Doughnuts

These raspberry doughnuts are soft as a cloud – airy and breathable. This Martha Stewart’s recipe is foolproof, as everything is explained step by step, perfect if you’re making them for the first time. 

Sufganiyot (Jelly Doughnuts) Are the Sweetest Way to Celebrate Hanukkah
Celebrate Hanukkah with these traditional sufganiyot, also known as jelly doughnuts. They are fried in oil, then rolled in sugar, and filled with jam.
Check out this recipe
Sufganiyot (Jelly Doughnuts) Are the Sweetest Way to Celebrate Hanukkah

Slow-Cooked Brisket

Brisket has a spotlight at any Hanukkah dinner! You will need some time and skill, maybe some test and trial, to cook a perfect cut of beef to get that “pull-apart” texture. Toss in some veggies, as well, to tenderize the meat. 

My Grandpa’s Brisket Recipe Is Simple, Classic, and Legendary
It’s not Rosh Hashanah without it.
Check out this recipe
My Grandpa’s Brisket Recipe Is Simple, Classic, and Legendary

Kefta Roasted Chicken

After brisket, roasted chicken is the second most beloved main dish at Hanukkah dinner. I love the addition of lemon, as it gives a Mediterranean note while tenderizing chicken at the same time. P.S. Don’t forget to toss in some herbs!

Kefta Roasted Chicken
Spice up your main dish with this delightfully tangy whole bird.
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Kefta Roasted Chicken

Cheese Noodle Kugel – Noodle Casserole 

This is definitely a classic Hanukkah recipe, and you will rarely see a dinner table without a casserole dish on it! It combines pasta, eggs, and cottage cheese, but what makes it stand out is raisins and cinnamon-based topping.

Cottage Cheese Noodle Kugel Recipe
This Cottage Cheese Noodle Kugel Is One Of My Favorite Hanukkah Kugel Recipes. It Is Super Simple To Prepare And Will Feed A Crowd. The Kugel
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Cottage Cheese Noodle Kugel Recipe

Authentic Tzimmes – Sweet Stew

The best description for this dish is “sweet stew.” It marries carrots, sweet potatoes, dried apples, orange yams, prunes, and cranberries simmered in a special sauce. The sauce is chicken broth-based plus orange juice, honey, brown sugar, and cinnamon – an interesting combo, right?

Tori Avey’s Stovetop Tzimmes – Authentic Recipe for Jewish Tzimmes
Traditional Jewish tzimmes with yams, sweet potatoes and more. Perfect for Rosh Hashanah, Passover, or any festive occasion. Kosher, Meat or Parve.
Check out this recipe
Tori Avey’s Stovetop Tzimmes - Authentic Recipe for Jewish Tzimmes

Homemade Applesauce

Apple sauce is a staple condiment at a Hanukkah table, especially if you’re serving its best friend – potato latkes. Of course, you can go for a store-bought one, but there is something in slow-cooked apples that leaves the lingering aroma for days!

Opal Applesauce
This set it and forget it slow-cooker applesauce made with opal apples is simple and delicious – and the perfect accompaniment to Hanukkah latkes.
Check out this recipe
Opal Applesauce

Matzo Ball Soup – Dumpling Soup

Comfort foods are a trademark of any holiday, including Hanukkah. Hearty, warm, cozy matzo ball soup is a perfect example. I love matzo balls on a softer side and rich soup with chicken and veggies.

Matzo Ball Soup
This Matzo Ball Soup recipe is easy, hearty, cozy comfort food all made in one pot featuring fluffy or dense matzo balls!
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Matzo Ball Soup

Rugelach – Sweet Pastry

Sweet pastries have my heart; if I could, I would try them all around the world! Rugelach is super rich and heavenly textured – you’ll get layers of flaky dough, creamy apricot jam, and crispy chopped walnuts.

The Best Rugelach Recipe
Rugelach is a classic pastry filled with a variety of nuts, fruit, preserves, and cinnamon sugar. This is an easy rugelach recipe that breaks down and simplifies the steps so everyone can make it!
Check out this recipe
The Best Rugelach Recipe

Keftes de Prasa – Horseradish Cheddar Leek Patties

If you hate leek, this dish will probably change your mind! Because of cheddar cheese, they have a tad stronger aroma, but it gives a nice crunchy moment to every bite. Serve them with a sour cream-based dip for a whole experience!

Horseradish Cheddar Leek Patties
A gooey, cheesy version of traditional Sephardic leek patties with the bite of horseradish. Thanks to Cabot Creamery Co-operative for sponsoring this Rosh Hashanah recipe. A few years ago, I published a recipe for keftes de prasa or leek fritters.
Check out this recipe
Horseradish Cheddar Leek Patties

S’Mores Gelt Cookies

Coin-shaped chocolates are a symbol of Hanukkah, so it is logical to incorporate them at least into one dessert. You can go for any cookie recipe you love – this one is awesome, though, with a graham cracker base and marshmallow garnish. YUM!

S’mores Gelt Cookies
S’mores Gelt Cookies: your favorite treat turned into a hanukkah cookie!
Check out this recipe
S’mores Gelt Cookies

Pollo Fritto – Fried Chicken

This is like a 5-star restaurant-worthy fast-food chicken! Everything is spot on – crispy outside layer, juicy meat, and flawless spice blend. I think this is the first thing being devoured every single time!

Pollo Fritto per Hanukkah (Fried Chicken for Hanukkah)
Potato latkes and jelly doughnuts are the most widely known Hanukkah dishes in America. But in Italy, the focus is on crunchy, oil-kissed fried chicken.
Check out this recipe
Pollo Fritto per Hanukkah (Fried Chicken for Hanukkah)

Roasted Beet Salad

After all the meat and fried food, you will want something refreshing and tangy. Different varieties of beet look and taste amazing, especially when you pair it with horseradish and pumpkin seeds for additional crunch.

Roasted beet salad with horseradish and pumpkin seeds | Recipe
This beetroot salad gives a nod to Styrian cuisine, where pumpkin seed oil is a star. With a kick of spice from the horseradish, this is a dream fall dish.
Check out this recipe
Roasted beet salad with horseradish and pumpkin seeds | Recipe

Bimuelo – Fried Dough Balls

Bimuelos are very similar to sufganiyot, but they don’t have any filling. Instead, Jewish people like to drizzle them with honey, syrup, or sometimes chocolate sauce. Don’t forget to coat them in granulated sugar for some texture!

An Easy Hanukkah Treat to Make With Kids: Bimuelo
Do your kids love to help in the kitchen? You’ll have a great time working together to make this tasty Sephardic treat.
Check out this recipe
An Easy Hanukkah Treat to Make With Kids: Bimuelo

Gefilte Fish Loaf

Gefilte Fish is an all-time classic, but this is a tad different take on it. The best thing is you can make it in advance, plus it slices better! If you want to be super fancy, prepare horseradish aioli along with it.

Baked Gefilte Fish Loaf
Baked gefilte fish loaf is an update to the classic dish. The seasonings add more flavor, and baking gives it a better texture.
Check out this recipe
Baked Gefilte Fish Loaf

Cholent – Beef and Beans Stew

This is the epitome of hearty, homey meal – just the thing you want for a holiday season! It is a silky, slow-cooked stew with chunks of beef, potatoes, barley, and a few types of beans. Check out the recipe!

Slow Cooker Cholent
Cholent is a hearty Jewish stew with beef, potatoes, and 3 different kinds of beans. This cooks overnight in the crock-pot.
Check out this recipe
Slow Cooker Cholent

Carciofi alla Giudia – Fried Artichokes

This dish asks for just a few ingredients, but you’ll definitely need to spare some time to prepare it. Fried artichokes are super crispy, but their flavor blooms when you sprinkle them with some lemon juice right before eating!

Carciofi alla Giudia (Jewish-Style Fried Artichokes)
Carciofi Alla Giudia (Jewish-Style Fried Artichokes) are crispy, golden brown deep-fried artichokes simply seasoned with salt and lemon.
Check out this recipe
Carciofi alla Giudia (Jewish-Style Fried Artichokes)

Challah

There is no Jewish celebration without cloudy challah bread. It is one of the tastiest breads you’ll ever try, plus it is incredibly decorative as it is. Use some herbs and edible flowers for a final touch!

My Go-To Challah Recipe
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rebekah Lowin Shomorony (@rebekahlowin) Without further ado (after years of ado), here it is: my mostly traditional, mostly fail-proof, classic challah recipe.
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My Go-To Challah Recipe

Zalabia – Funnel Cakes with Syrup

For me, funnel cakes were always a symbol of holidays. For Hanukkah, Jewish people go a step further and make this fantastic sirup with orange blossom water and juice of tangerine! Crispy funnel cakes and tangy syrup just make sense!

Zalabia | Recipes
Fried Funnel Cakes with Syrup
Check out this recipe
Zalabia | Recipes

Lamb Tagine with Prunes

Lamb meat achieves its full potential, both taste and texture-wise, when you pair it with a sweet component. It infuses beautifully with cinnamon, almonds, and prunes, especially when you add some saffron too.

Lamb Tagine with Almonds and Prunes
This deliciously spiced, aromatic stew combines meltingly tender lamb, toasted almonds, sticky prunes and warm North African spices.
Check out this recipe
Lamb Tagine with Almonds and Prunes

Potato Kugel – Potato Casserole

I must admit, I like this version better than the noodle one! Well-made potato kugel is incredibly crispy on the outside, with very soft, almost creamy insides. Thus, they pair with any main dish you choose!

Cast-Iron Potato Kugel
This kugel’s a keeper. Often served at Passover, kugel is a savory or sweet baked casserole that’s made with potatoes (like this one) or with noodles.
Check out this recipe
Cast-Iron Potato Kugel

Fried Goat Cheese Balls

This is an interesting combination that involves goat cheese, mango, and mustard! It definitely isn’t for anybody’s palate, but if you like sweet-salty-spicy fusion, try it out!

You Won’t Be Able to Eat Just One of These “Famous” Goat Cheese Bites
The dipping sauce is everything.
Check out this recipe
You Won’t Be Able to Eat Just One of These “Famous” Goat Cheese Bites

Pickled Herring

Pickled herring is certainly a specific-tasting dish! Some people adore it, while others hate it – but it is a standard dish in Jewish cuisine. It also calls for onions to balance out the flavors!

Herring and Onions | My Jewish Learning
A stinky fish with a fervent following.
Check out this recipe
Herring and Onions | My Jewish Learning

Sweet Lokshen Kugel

This is one more variation of kugel, but this time is a sweet one. Nowadays, it is pretty rare to prepare a pasta dessert, but in many traditional cuisines, it is a staple. This casserole dish calls for different cheeses, along with raisins, cinnamon, and sugar.

Sweet Lokshen Kugel
Learn to make traditional Yiddish dairy noodle pudding with cottage cheese, sour cream, cream cheese, sugar, and cinnamon. Kosher
Check out this recipe
Sweet Lokshen Kugel

Apple Fritters

I saved the best for last – my favorite apple rings coated in batter. You get a crispy outside layer with soft dough inside and a juicy apple in the middle! The cinnamon and apple duo are immaculate! 

Hanukkah Apple Fritters
Hanukkah Apple Fritters are deliciously crispy fried apple rings spiced with cinnamon and sweetened with powdered sugar!
Check out this recipe
Hanukkah Apple Fritters

Dear chefs, thank you for sharing these delicious recipes and fragments of your tradition with us!

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