11 Recipes for Traditional Chanukkah Foods
A plethora of traditional Jewish dishes are often included in many a Hanukkah spread. From latkes to jelly doughnuts, many of the foods are typically fried in oil, symbolizing the Jewish Temple’s ability to miraculously sustain the menorah’s candlelight for eight days despite only having enough oil for one. These traditional Hanukkah foods are sacred, celebrated dishes that have continued to bring family and friends together for centuries. Maybe it’s the magic of the Hanukkah miracle, but something about these foods bonds people together.
Latkes
Latkes, also known as potato pancakes, are, as you can imagine, pancake-shaped and shallow-fried, and are traditionally made with ground potatoes. They are typically mixed with onion, egg, flour, and seasonings. Nowadays, there are different creative recipes out there that call for zucchini and sweet potatoes as the base rather than white potatoes, if you want to go a bit out of the box. These fried treats are scrumptious when dipped in sour cream and/or served alongside some applesauce.
Recipe for the Best-Ever Potato Latkes
Beef Brisket
Because Chanukkah falls during the cooler months, beef brisket is a hearty, warm, and delicious meal to serve. Prepared in a dutch oven or roaster, beef brisket is oftentimes slated as the main dish. Fortunately, there are several different ways to prepare it, whether it’s with specific seasonings, vegetables, or sauces. As long as it’s tender and served with other traditional sides, it’s a win! We think this creative beer brisket recipe would make a fun new addition to your table.
Recipe for Beer Brisket
Roasted Chicken
In addition to brisket, golden-brown whole roasted chicken is another familiar main course to serve at a Chanukkah gathering for those who may not eat beef. The best part about the commonly-made poultry dish? It’s an easy recipe that’s delicious with a generous amount of seasoning and roasted vegetables. We like this tasty roast chicken recipe for an easy main course and vegetable combination.
Recipe for Roasted Chicken
Shakshuka
Though technically this is a traditional Jewish dish that can be enjoyed year-round, as the most important meal of the day, breakfast is still a must-have during your eight day-long Chanukkah celebration.
“Shakshuka is a tomato-sauce based typically cooked in a skillet with eggs, vegetables, and spices,” No better way to celebrate the festival of lights than with a warm yet bold breakfast rich with bright colors and flavors, which this shakshuka recipe offers in spades.
Recipe for Shakshuka
Kugel
Kugel is an egg noodle pudding or casserole that is commonly served as a side dish at a Chanukkah celebration. The best part? The traditional meal can be made both savory or sweet.
Recipe from Savory Simple
Matzo Ball Soup
Matzo ball soup is hot, tasty staple at many Jewish celebrations. The matzo balls are soup dumplings that are typically made from matzo meal, eggs, water, and a fat such as butter, chicken fat, or oil. The light and delicious balls are oftentimes placed in traditional chicken noodle soup or just plain chicken broth. You’ll find yourself eating more than one bowl of the flavorful appetizer.
Recipe from Love & Olive Oil
Rugelach
This pastry, which is filled with a sweet inside, is a deli-staple treat that is usually made into a triangle shape and served as a Chanukkah dessert. Rugelach’s delicious filling often include include raisins, cinnamon, chocolate, poppy seed, fruit preserves, and walnuts.
Recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction
Sufganiyot (aka Jelly-Filled Doughnuts)
Jelly-filled doughnuts are a yummy dessert that is hard not to indulge in at Chanukkah. The treat is typically filled with jelly or custard, deep fried, and then coated with powdered sugar. When it comes time to serve them up, the warmer the better!
Recipe from My Name Is Yeh
Challah
This braided masterpiece is a staple at Jewish celebrations, especially Chanukkah. The dough is oftentimes made with ingredients like eggs, water, butter, yeast, salt, sugar, and/or oil. After it’s cooked, it can be topped with sesame seeds or poppy seeds for a salty flavor. If there is leftover challah after a celebration, your dinner table will be wowed if you turn it into croutons, bread pudding, French toast, stuffing, or grilled cheese. The possibilities are endless! We’re a fan of Half-Baked Harvest’s golden, whole-wheat version of this delicious treat.
Recipe from Half-Baked Harvest
Chanukkah Gelt
Gelt are little chocolate coins typically treaded like a prize while playing a game of dreidel on Chanukkah. These chocolate coins are not only a favorite of children, but adults love collecting and eating gelt, too—especially if they have a particularly competitive streak. Instead of buying these chocolates this year, you can actually make gelt at home with the right recipe. So, give this one a try—and let the dreidel tournament begin!
Recipe from Elana’s Pantry
Knish
Knishes can double as an appetizer or a snack, and the fillings typically include mashed potatoes or cheese. Other options include sweet potatoes, spinach, or beans. While the golden-brown rectangular or square treats are extremely tasty, they are rather heavy, so don’t overdo it on them before the main course—you’ll want to save room. For a unique approach to this recipe that’s also a bit lighter than the original, we suggest this recipe that is more like a cross between a knish and a hamantaschen.
Recipe from My Name Is Yeh
