Our chefs have curated a collection of traditional Hanukkah foods to make your celebration deliciously memorable. Crispy latkes sizzling in a skillet. Juicy jam oozing from a golden jelly donut. Tender beef brisket and root vegetables filling the kitchen with cozy, savory aromas. Turn to these tried-and-true recipes for inspiration. We’ve got your eight days of celebration covered with these traditional Hanukkah dishes.
Beef Brisket with Root Vegetables
When it comes to traditional Hanukkah foods, your feast isn’t complete without a slow-cooked beef brisket. Wow your guests by slicing into this hearty main, drizzled with au jus and served with root vegetables — just add red wine!
Potato Latkes
The latke is the dish most associated with Hanukkah foods. Not only are these deep-fried lacy potato pancakes delicious, but they symbolize the miracle of Hanukkah.
Applesauce
If latkes are a part of your Hanukkah celebration, you’re going to want accoutrements like applesauce and sour cream on the table. A bright, lightly sweet applesauce — made with your choice of apples — is the perfect topping for crispy, deep-fried latkes.
Roasted Chicken with Herbs
A heavy rub of fresh herbs, plus salt and pepper, gives this roast chicken a savory, crispy skin. Serve this irresistible main attraction with roasted veggies for a perfectly simple Hanukkah meal.
Mushroom Kale Noodle Kugel
A savory take on a traditionally sweet Jewish casserole, this Mushroom Kale Noodle Kugel is a deliciously hearty, plant-based addition to your Hanukkah celebration.
Sufganiyot (Hanukkah Jelly Donuts)
Sufganiyot are yeasted jelly donuts for Hanukkah. They're traditionally fried, but this lighter baked version makes for a delicious family baking project.
Chocolate Gelt Buttons
Making Hanukkah gelt from scratch allows the chocolate to become a canvas for a sprinkling of nuts and a splash of colorful dried fruits.
Pistachio-Citrus Rugelach
These dreamy crescents, flecked with poppy seeds and bright with lemon zest, are finished with a shower of nutty, sweet pistachios.
Waffled Latkes
These latkes can be made with regular or sweet potato, then topped with sour cream and applesauce or with crème fraîche and smoked salmon for a luxurious appetizer.
Spice-Crusted Roasted Salmon with Ginger Beets
This simple, festive treatment for a whole side of salmon is an easy way to feed a crowd with style — and a great lighter option to mix in with more traditional Hanukkah foods.
Get the recipe: Spice-Crusted Roasted Salmon with Ginger Beets
Oven-Roasted Brussels Sprouts
This simple preparation makes for an effortless four-ingredient dish that pairs perfectly with Hanukkah mains.
Polish-Style Borscht
Sometimes called clear borscht, and traditionally started with a beetroot ferment, this strained rendition of a traditional Polish soup is surprisingly light and brothy.
