As the Jewish Festival of Lights, or Hanukkah, is fast approaching (December 25, 2024 to January 2, 2025), we’re looking forward to playing dreidel (and winning gelt!), lighting the menorah with loved ones, and, of course, all the delicious food. Whether you’re Jewish and keep kosher, are celebrating with someone who is, or are just looking to expand your culinary horizon, we’ve got 57 recipes here for you, from apps to mains to desserts. The best part about celebrating for 8 nights? You can try them ALL.
If you’re unfamiliar, Hanukkah is a holiday commemorating Jewish triumph over invading Syrian forces that had been destroying Jerusalem around the second century B.C. After the Jewish people had successfully driven out the Syrian invaders, they went to rededicate the city’s Second Temple by relighting a menorah that was meant to be kept burning every night. Though they only had enough oil for one night, it stayed lit for eight, a phenomenon now known as the miracle of Hanukkah. To celebrate this miracle, Jewish people eat a number of foods fried in oil, the most well-known of which are potato latkes and jelly donuts called sufganiyot.
Another miracle that is often celebrated during Hanukkah is the story of Judith, a woman who enticed the leader of an opposing force with… cheese. As the story goes, she tricked her way into his confidence, then plied him with salty cheese and very strong wine. One thing led to another, and he passed out drunk, leaving her free to cut off his head and bring it back to her village in victory. To commemorate her bravery, many people choose to eat heavy dairy dishes, so we’ve included a number here, like our cheese blintzes, our noodle kugel, or our rugelach. Kosher rules forbid consuming meat and dairy within the same meal, but with 8 nights of celebrating, you can surely find time to enjoy these sweet treats.
Speaking of, let’s talk dinners. Brisket is traditional, and we’ve got 5 recipes here for you, ranging from classic to BBQ. If brisket seems like too much, roast chicken, lamb, and fish dishes like our coconut curry salmon, our Moroccan lamb tagine, or our maple mustard chicken legs are also always welcome on the table. Because it falls in December, Hanukkah is also a holiday that’s perfect for a number of warming dishes, like soups and stews. Check out our Thai chicken coconut soup, our carrot ginger soup, or our braised short ribs with 40 cloves of garlic for ideas, but as long as it’s kosher, anything goes.
Want more Hanukkah ideas? Check out our favorite Hanukkah appetizers and cookies too.
Prime Rib
There’s no debate: Prime rib is what you serve when you’re looking for the most impressive centerpiece to your holiday dinner table. This large-and-in-charge cut of beef not only boasts a show-stopping display, but is unmatched in flavor.
Get the Prime Rib recipe.
Latkes
Just about every culture has its own form of fried potato, but latkes are something extra-special. Crispy-crunchy on the outside, soft and fluffy inside, they’re basically the best parts of a hash brown and a potato pancake all rolled into one. Don’t be surprised if you’ve eaten 2 or 3 before they even reach the table.
Get the Latkes recipe.
Pull-Apart Jelly Donut
Although baked instead of fried, this pull-apart ring is reminiscent of sufganiyot, made easier for those of us who don't have a good fryer set up at home. Try it with whatever kind of jam you like!
Get the Pull-Apart Jelly Donut recipe.
Caramelized Brussels Sprouts
Tossed in a honey and vinegar dressing and roasted until glazed and crisp, these sweet and tangy sprouts will steal the (side) show wherever they go. Roasting at high heat on a bare metal sheet pan is key to getting gorgeously browned, crackling-crisp sprouts.
Get the Caramelized Brussels Sprouts recipe.
Gelt Thumbprints
For such a simple game, spinning the dreidel easily inspires some fierce competition over who will end up with the largest pile of gelt. The thing is, those coins are usually made up of, to put it kindly, not-so-great chocolate. What then to do with your sweet spoils? Make these chocolate-orange thumbprint cookies! With fewer than 10 ingredients, you can turn your winnings into a cute Hanukkah dessert that's perfect for sharing.
Get the Gelt Thumbprints recipe.
Apple Cider Braised Brisket
Apple cider adds a subtle sweetness to a classic brisket, and after letting it braise low and slow, it will be SO tender. Letting the potatoes and carrots cook with the brisket flavors them from the inside out, and the whole dish will be deeply savory. You're going to love these leftovers.
Get the Apple Cider Braised Brisket recipe.
Fennel Salad With Apples & Radishes
When you're looking for a side dish that tastes extremely fresh even in the depth of winter, look no further than fennel salad. It’s crunchy, slightly sweet, and perfectly light and refreshing, especially if you serve it alongside heavier cold weather comfort foods.
Roast Chicken
The perfect centerpiece to any holiday dinner, the steps to make this chicken are simple: You season the bird (just salt & pepper!), then roast it at high heat until the skin is bronzed and crisp and the flesh juicy.
Get the Roast Chicken recipe.
Hanukkah Gelt
♫ "Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel..." ♫ If you truly want to take your game over the top, play for homemade gelt! They're super-easy to make at home (we used a mini muffin tin), and you can decorate them however you like.
Get the Hanukkah Gelt recipe.
Big Mac Latkes
A crispy, fresh latke is one of life’s greatest joys, but when you make it Big-Mac-style, you’re in a whole new universe of delicious. Packed with dill pickles and sesame seeds, stuffed with melty American cheese (optional), and drizzled with Big Mac sauce, this fresh spin on the classic Hanukkah treat will truly have you lovin’ it.
Get the Big Mac Latkes recipe.
Homemade Chicken Soup
We love matzo ball soup, but sometimes you want something a little simpler. For this classic recipe, we chose to strip it back to focus on the essence of the dish: the tender shredded chicken and that rich golden broth it creates.
Get the Homemade Chicken Soup recipe.
Spicy Sesame Salmon
If you’re looking for a new, creative way to cook salmon, look no further. The great thing about this recipe (besides those black and white sesame seeds, ofc!) is it’s baked instead of pan-fried, and you can marinate the salmon the night before, making your Hanukkah meal come together extra fast.
Get the Spicy Sesame Salmon recipe.
Challah
Similar to brioche, challah is an egg-enriched loaf that is slightly sweet and wonderfully soft inside. It's time to put your braiding skills to good use!
Get the Challah recipe.
Balsamic Glazed Carrots
Roasted carrots are a classic easy side dish that we turn to time and time again, whether we're serving up a holiday dinner or a quick weeknight meal. They're extremely versatile, and take to a variety of seasonings and flavors. That being said, topping them with a balsamic glaze truly takes them over the top.
Get the Balsamic Glazed Carrots recipe.
Coconut Curry Salmon
The coconut milk and spice go so well together here, making a rich but not heavy sauce that is dairy-free and so so creamy. The salmon simmers in the milk, keeping it very tender and flaky and extra-flavorful. Spoon the sauce over the salmon a few times as it cooks to give it a nice coating.
Get the Coconut Curry Salmon recipe.
Giant Skillet Latke
While frying up an endless supply of latkes is part of the holiday fun, this recipe turns the classic into an impressive dish for brunch or a breakfast-for-dinner meal. It’s all the flavor and crispiness of a traditional latke with less oil, in half the time!
Get the Giant Skillet Latke recipe.
Challah Rolls
This particular challah dough is a bit on the sweeter side, and it lends beautifully to a variety of applications, from being a dinner side to a base for sandwiches. Hot tip: These rolls taste phenomenal when toasted!
Get the Challah Rolls recipe.
One-Pan Tuna Pasta
This recipe is a bit of a riff on a pasta puttanesca, using familiar ingredients such as capers, anchovies, and olives. But instead of sitting over a pot of simmering tomato sauce, sun-dried tomatoes form a paste that, when combined with pasta water, is transformed into a luscious sauce—and it’s all made in one pan!
Get the One-Pan Tuna Pasta recipe.
Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon
This savory-sweet salmon never disappoints, and is wonderful alongside a variety of cheesy sides this Hanukkah. Searing fish might seem intimidating, but once you get the hang of it, it'll be second nature.
Get the Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon recipe.
Sufganiyot
This lightly fried, gorgeously dusted, low-key sugary jelly donut serves as a reminder that life can be sweet sometimes—which is exactly why we make it exclusively for the most festive of Jewish holidays. You can really fill the donuts with whatever filling makes you happy...as long as it's sweet.
Get the Sufganiyot recipe.
