A Traditional Menu for Hanukkah

beef brisket on a white plate
Photo: Allrecipes Magazine

Celebrating the miracle of the oil that lit the menorah in the ancient temple for eight nights instead of just one, a traditional Hanukkah menu includes a handful of fried foods. We've rounded up recipes for latkes (fried potato pancakes), sufganiot (fried donuts), and other favorites to help you put together a celebratory menu.

01 of 12

Potato Latkes I

Potato Latkes I with green onions and sour creaam
Montana

This is a traditional latkes recipe using grated potatoes, flour, eggs, salt, and grated onion. Be sure to squeeze potatoes well to get excess moisture out, this is the key to getting crispy latkes. Allrecipes member Rachel who shares this recipe, says: "A classic potato latke, you can't go wrong with these crispy hot cakes. Serve with applesauce, sour cream and chopped green onions! Happy Hanukkah!"

02 of 12

Spiced Slow Cooker Applesauce

applesauce in a white bowl
Tara

A perfect accompaniment to potato latkes, this applesauce is made in a slow cooker. The combination of brown sugar, pumpkin spice, and apples will perfume your house for hours.

03 of 12

Applesauce

Fresh Applesauce
pomplemousse

If you don't have the time for a slow cooker recipe, here's a quick and easy applesauce recipe that will be done in less than 30 minutes. The sauce is spiced with cinnamon and cloves. We recommend tasting your apples first and adjusting the added sugar amount accordingly. Once done, puree the sauce until smooth or leave it a bit chunky.

04 of 12

Most Amazing Challah

two loaves of challah
Tamarack

This challah recipe uses instant yeast to speed up the rising process and save you some time in the kitchen. Braid the challah as a traditional loaf or make a round one. This recipe makes enough loaves to last through the holiday or share as gifts with friends and family.

05 of 12

Wine-Braised Beef Brisket

beef brisket on a white plate
Allrecipes Magazine

Allrecipes member chagar raves about this brisket, saying: "Followed the recipe exactly and we absolutely loved it. I used a red merlot as I'm not really familiar with cooking with red wines. The sauce turned out amazing. I served with basmati rice and steamed cauliflower, zucchini and asparagus."

06 of 12

Salmon with Lemon and Dill

salmon with dill and lemon garnish on a plate with veggies
sorelg

For a dairy menu, this recipe for salmon baked in a butter, lemon, and dill sauce is a crowd pleaser. You can bake the salmon as individual fillets or use a whole side of the fish. Sprigs of fresh dill and lemon slices make for a beautiful presentation.

07 of 12

Crispy Rosemary Chicken and Fries

serving of Crispy Rosemary Chicken and Fries on a white plate
Dianne

Sandy Witek, the Allrecipes member who shares this recipe writes: "This is a one-pan meal that's in the oven in 15 minutes. Rosemary, garlic, and oregano create a mouthwatering aroma. If using dried herbs in place of fresh, use 1/3 the amount. Potatoes are crispy like French fries."

08 of 12

Roasted Green Beans

Roasted Green Beans with tomatoes on a white plate
KGora

With some of the heavier, fried menu items, a nice green dish will be a welcomed addition to the table. We love these simply roasted green beans. Be sure to spread the beans in a single layer to allow them to roast evenly without steaming.

09 of 12

Basic Sautéed Kale

Mediterranean Kale
KGora

Here's another quick and easy side dish for the table. In this recipe, kale is sauteed in olive oil with sherry vinegar, red pepper flakes, and minced garlic. Adjust the amount of pepper flakes depending on your heat preference. For more flavor, feel free to use vegetable or chicken broth in place of water.

10 of 12

Sufganiot

Sufganiot on a baking dish
Odavid

These fried doughnuts from Allrecipes member Rachel are "filled with sweet cheese or preserves" to fit either the dairy or dairy-free menu. Home cook Illysa calls these doughnuts excellent, adding that the recipe has become her family's new Hanukkah tradition.

11 of 12

Sufganiyot

closeup of jelly doughnuts dusted with powdered sugar on a dark-glazed ceramic plate
rhyeen

Here is another recipe for holiday doughnuts from home cook Mel Levy. The batter in this recipe calls for yogurt, making these doughnuts especially tender. Once fried, roll the doughnuts in vanilla sugar and eat immediately.

12 of 12

Chanukah Cookies

tray of Chanukah Cookies with Star of David design
Kari

Make a batch and let your guests (kids and adults) roll out the dough and cut out their favorite Hanukkah shapes including menorah, dreidel, and Star of David. A sweet ending to a wonderful dinner.

Was this page helpful?