20 Best Hanukkah Recipes
Hanukkah, also known as the Jewish festival of lights, commemorates Judah the Maccabee's reclamation of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem from the Greeks. What does that mean for 21st-century celebrators? Lots, and we mean lots, of food. From crispy latkes with a juicy pear compote to tender beef brisket to rose jam sufganiyot, these Hanukkah recipes will please even the pickiest eaters this holiday season.
After unwrapping gifts and lighting the menorah, try your hand at these delicious recipes. Many of these festive dishes boast a unique twist on your traditional Hanukkah fare for a truly elegant and memorable feast. L'Chaim!
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Latkes
What's Hanukkah without a plate of oil-slicked latkes? These crispy potato cakes will pair well with literally anything on your holiday menu. Latkes require minimal ingredients and prep on your part—the fried spuds speak for themselves. If this is your first year trying your hand at them at your holiday table, this is the most beginner-friendly version you'll find.
Get our recipe for Latkes.
Pressure Cooker Beef Brisket
A Jewish dinner staple, beef brisket should be tender, and this juicy, fall-off-the-bone recipe will not disappoint. The best part? You can save leftovers and pile it high on seeded rye or toasted ciabatta for a scrumptious sandwich the next day.
Get the recipe from Simply Recipes.
Rose Jam Sufganiyot with Vanilla Glaze and Pistachios
This decadent dessert recipe transforms your average jelly donut with a gourmet twist: rose jam. Before getting dunked in the fryer, the buttery dough is spiced with cardamom, cinnamon, and orange zest and finally topped off with crunchy pistachios for a decadent dessert.
Get the recipe from My Name is Yeh.
Brussels Sprout Latkes with Dijon Yogurt Sauce
This delicious recipe changes up your tried-and-true latkes with a dose of Brussels sprouts, and you won't even be able to tell the difference with this green addition. As expected, the latkes boast a fluffy interior and crunchy exterior that's complemented by a creamy dijon yogurt sauce.
Get the recipe from Live EAT Learn.
Simple Homemade Applesauce
Whether you're planning on dipping latkes into it or spooning into some sauce for dessert, you'll need this applesauce recipe on your Hanukkah table. It's spiced with fresh cinnamon sticks for a dip that sets itself apart from the store-bought stuff.
Get the recipe from Zenbelly Recipes for Real Life.
Crispy Potato Latkes with Spiced Pear Compote
Who knew potatoes paired so well with pears? The warmly spiced pear compote adds a subtle sweetness to the savory latkes.
Get the recipe from Love and Olive Oil.
Roasted Cauliflower with Garlic, Lemon, and Coriander
Get some veggies on your plate in a bit of an unexpected way by tossing cauliflower with aromatic garlic, lemon, and coriander. This bright veggie dish is adorned with Italian parsley for a pop of color and freshness.
Get the recipe from Feasting at Home.
Rosemary Garlic Beef Roast with Wild Mushrooms
For a truly impressive table centerpiece, cook up this rosemary- and caramelized-garlic-infused roast. Opt for a juicy cut like beef tenderloin, tri-tip loin, or a boneless ribeye roast. Sear the roast in a cast-iron skillet to extract the flavors, and once done, pair with a full-bodied red wine for an unforgettable holiday dinner.
Get the recipe from Feasting at Home.
Soul-Warming French Onion Pot Roast
Tender chuck roast meets Worcestershire sauce and apple cider vinegar in this comforting meaty dish. The key here is to slice the onions super thin so that they're cooked down and caramelize into a scrumptiously sweet side.
Get the recipe from Little Spice Jar.
Twice-Baked Potato Casserole (Potatoes Romanoff)
Swap your baked potato side with this hearty casserole. It's jam-packed with warming ingredients such as minced shallots, chives, and sharp cheddar.
Get the recipe from Little Spice Jar.
Roasted Green Beans and Mushrooms with Walnuts
Your holiday table is incomplete without a good green bean dish. The mushrooms add heartiness and umami flavor, while the walnuts lend the veggies a healthy dose of crunch.
Get the recipe from Oh My Veggies.
Zucchini Latkes with Maple Cranberry Sauce
Upgrade your traditional potato pancakes with zucchini. This side dish is infused with a delicious maple cranberry sauce that pleases every palate and serves as a fun twist on the usual apple sauce.
Get the recipe from The View from Great Island.
Matzo Brei
While matzo is usually eaten on Passover as a bread replacement, there's no reason why you shouldn't include a hearty matzo brei on your Hanukkah table. This one's crafted with matzo, eggs, and savory toppings such as onion, chives, and parsley, but it also offers a sweet alternative made with orange flower water. Mmm!
Get the recipe from Simply Recipes.
Nutella Rugelach
Soft, flaky pastry dough filled with creamy Nutella? Yes, please! This hazelnut and cocoa-layered rugelach (which actually means "little twist" in Yiddish) will be the cherry on top of your Hanukkah dinner.
Get the recipe from Eating Bird Food.
Challah
This whole-wheat challah only needs eight ingredients. And while making any type of bread can be intimidating, don't fret. This recipe is easy to follow and will leave you with a challah that will impress the whole family.
Get the recipe from Half Baked Harvest.
Homemade Matzo Ball Soup
Matzo ball soup is all about fluffy, filling matzo balls that float to the top rather than sink to the bottom. This recipe calls for chicken fat, eggs, and chicken broth to achieve just that.
Get the recipe from Simply Recipes.
Kugel
Noodle kugel can go the sweet or savory route, and what's great about this casserole dish is that it's also easy to make in advance. Follow the simple instructions of this recipe, and you'll have a delicious kugel on the table in no time.
Get the recipe from Once Upon a Chef.
Dilled Matzo Ball Soup
Although traditionally eaten on Passover, we welcome matzo ball soup on every holiday dinner table. This easy recipe is spiked with invigorating dill, rendering a restaurant-level appetizer that won't fill you up too much before you fork into some brisket.
Get the recipe from The View from Great Island.
Garlic Lovers' Salmon in Foil
Salmon is versatile enough to be paired with any side you decide to whip up—from the crispy latkes to green beans. This omega-3-packed fillet is spiced with garlic, butter, and white wine.
Get the recipe from Gimme Some Oven.
Babka
Babka is a perfectly sweet, chocolatey addition to a Hanukkah spread. This recipe is quite forgiving for the beginner baker, too.
Get the recipe from Pretty Simply Sweet.
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