Traditional Hanukkah Recipes

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Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, starts on December 7 this year. Like any good Jewish holiday — barring Yom Kippur — it’s all about the food on Hanukkah. It’s the perfect time to throw a festive dinner party for friends or family — who can say no to brisket and latkes?

If you’re not familiar with Hanukkah, here’s what you need to know: The holiday commemorates the defeat of the ancient Greeks by the rebel Jewish Maccabees in around 200 BCE. After their victory, they wanted to re-dedicate the Jewish temple that had been damaged by the Greeks and relight the Menorah but only had enough oil for one day. That oil miraculously lasted for eight days, hence the length of the holiday and the tradition to eat fried foods (yes!).

With deep-frying a major tenet of the holiday, Hanukkah is a fan favorite and the perfect opportunity to invite your friends over and cook (or fry) a fabulous dinner. I’m talking latkes, of course, brisket, sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts), homemade applesauce, matzah ball soup and more. Any of these dishes would be the perfect addition to your Hanukkah party this year.

A version of this story was originally published December 2017.

Potato Kugel

Image Credit: Smitten Kitchen.

One type of potato isn’t always enough, so even if you’re making latkes, don’t skip out on this potato kugel. From the golden brown, crispy top, to the tender and creamy interior, it doesn’t get much better than this.

Get the recipe from Smitten Kitchen.
Tangy Balsamic Brisket

This rich slow-roasted whole brisket has all of the sweet and sour flavors you crave this time of year, thanks to a combination of caramelized balsamic and Worcestershire glaze, and lots of roasted onions and garlic.

Get the recipe from Cooked & Loved.
Potato latkes

Image Credit: Courtesy of What's Gaby Cooking.

If you make just one thing this Hanukkah, let it be these crispy potato latkes. Keep latkes warm in a 200 degree F oven before your guests arrive.

Get the recipe from What’s Gaby Cooking.
Potato Knish

Image Credit: Smitten Kitchen.

From the soft and flaky dough to the caramelized onion and mashed potato filling, these knishes are the ultimate cold-weather comfort food. This recipe comes from Deb Perelman, author of Smitten Kitchen Keepers.

Get the recipe from Smitten Kitchen.
Chocolate Espresso Babka

Babka was traditionally made with leftover challah dough, so if your family already goes feral for challah or its cousin brioche, chances are they’ll love this babka. It’s rolled up with a rich dark chocolate and espreso swirl before baking, and it’s delicious both as dessert or with coffee for breakfast.

Get the recipe from That Bake Blog.
Chopped Liver

Image Credit: Tori Avey.

What’s the secret to making delicious chopped liver at home? Schmaltz, rendered chicken fat, adds the best flavor, especially if you also include gribenes, the cracklings from the schmaltz.

Get the recipe from Tori Avey.
Matzo ball soup

Image Credit: Courtesy of Budget Bytes.

Delight everyone at your Hanukkah bash with a warm, comforting bowl of Jewish penicillin.

Get the recipe from Budget Bytes.
Stovetop Tzimmes

Image Credit: Tori Avey.

Looking for a memorable side dish? Try this classic tzimmes, a Rosh Hashanah favorite that is tasty enough to be enjoyed any time of year, including Hannukah. The honeyed blend of sweet potatoes, carrots, and dried fruits is the perfect compliment to all sorts of roasted meat dishes.

Get the recipe from Tori Avey.
Scallion pancake challah

Image Credit: Courtesy of Apt. 2B Baking Co.

Soak up all that delicious brisket gravy with this scallion pancake challah.

Get the recipe from Apt. 2B Baking Co.
Spinach Keftes

Image Credit: Tori Avey.

These keftes are little fried potato patties that are full of green spinach and are flavored with garlic and onion. They’re a traditional Sephardic Hanukkah food, and well worth adding to your table this year.

Get the recipe from Tori Avey.
Vegan Sweet Noodle Kugel

When the whole family gathers to celebrate, it’s important to make sure everyone feels included. That’s why we always have a few vegan options on the table, like this sweet and creamy vegan noodle kugel that’s dotted with raisins and sprinkled with fragrant cinnamon.

Get the recipe from Connoisseurus Veg.
Sufganiyot

Image Credit: Courtesy of My Name Is Yeh.

Sufganiyot are a huge deal in Israel. Each year, bakeries across the country go nuts with exotic flavors and fillings. These deep-fried jelly-filled treats will satisfy your Hanukkah doughnut craving.

Get the recipe from My Name Is Yeh.
Butternut squash latkes

Image Credit: Courtesy of Kale & Caramel.

It’s not Hanukkah without the latkes. If you’re feeling experimental, try these butternut squash latkes served with a creamy tahini crème fraîche.

Get the recipe from Kale & Caramel.
4-Ingredient Hanukkah Bark

Whether you’re making a treat for yourself, or want to have something sweet you can gift to others, this surprisingly easy 4-ingredient Hanukkah bark, made with chocolate, nuts, and dried fruit, is sure to hit the spot.

Get the recipe from Everyday Maven.
Roasted Cauliflower

Image Credit: Courtesy of Feasting at Home

On its own, cauliflower isn’t the most exciting vegetable but when you pair it with the garlic, lemon and parsley that this recipe calls for, it transforming into a mouthwatering dish that even the pickiest of eaters will enjoy.

Get the recipe from Feasting at Home
Applesauce

Image Credit: Courtesy of Strength and Sunshine.

Latkes and applesauce are a match made in heaven, unless of course you’re #TeamSourCream. This homemade applesauce is made in the slow cooker, so it’s a cinch to throw together.

Get the recipe from Strength and Sunshine.
Chive sour cream

Image Credit: Courtesy of The View From Great Island.

Speaking of sour cream, this chive sour cream is made with horseradish for an extra kick. Dollop it on your latkes liberally.

Get the recipe from The View From Great Island.
Grilled rainbow carrots

Image Credit: Courtesy of Heather Christo.

Add some color to your Hanukkah dinner plate with these gorgeous grilled rainbow carrots.

Get the recipe from Heather Christo.
Deep-fried stuffed green olives

Image Credit: Courtesy of Yotam Ottolenghi.

These festive fried olives would make a great appetizer at your Hanukkah party.

Get the recipe from Yotam Ottolenghi.
Blueberry-cream cheese doughnuts

Image Credit: Courtesy of My Name Is Yeh.

These tasty doughnuts are stuffed with a delightful blueberry jam and cream cheese mixture. Your guests will love ‘em.

Get the recipe from My Name Is Yeh.
Mulled wine

Image Credit: Courtesy of Flourishing Foodie.

Put that bottle of Manischewitz to good use with this festive mulled wine made with cloves, star anise and citrus.

Get the recipe from Flourishing Foodie.
Moroccan lemon-olive chicken

Image Credit: Courtesy of A Communal Table.

Not into red meat? Make this one-pan Moroccan chicken with olives. It goes well with latkes.

Get the recipe from A Communal Table.
Chocolate rugelach

Image Credit: Courtesy of Eat In My Kitchen.

How good do these look? Your guests will adore these chocolaty treats for dessert.

Get the recipe from Eat In My Kitchen.
Pin it!

Image Credit: Courtesy of Heather Christo. Design: Ashley Britton/SheKnows.

As the holidays approach, it’s time to start planning menus! Pin now so you won’t forget about these traditional and delicious Hanukkah recipes.