23 Celebratory Hanukkah Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Are there any special foods for this holiday Hanukkah? ›

The eight days of Hanukkah are observed with the lighting of a menorah after sundown and meals featuring foods challah bread, kugel, potato latkes, jelly doughnuts called sufganiyot, and festive drinks. Fried foods recall the miracle at the Temple of Jerusalem, when a day's worth of oil lasted eight nights.

Fried foods, like potato pancakes and jelly doughnuts, are prepared and eaten throughout the holiday to celebrate the miracle of Hanukkah: oil that kept the menorah (an ancient lamp) lit for 8 days instead of the 1 day it was supposed to last.

"Among other rules, eating certain animals, primarily pigs and shellfish, is forbidden; meat must be ritually and humanely slaughtered; and dairy and meat aren't to be eaten at the same meal." Fish and plant foods are "neutral" (parve) and can be eaten with either meat or dairy.

Fried potato pancakes, called latkes in Yiddish and levivot in Hebrew, are the most popular Hanukkah food. They are shredded potatoes mixed with onion, egg, flour and seasonings, then formed into small pancakes and fried in oil. The crispy latkes are served with sour cream and applesauce on the side.

Traditional foods include potato latkes, applesauce and brisket. Spinning the dreidel (a four-sided top) for “Hanukkah gelt” (gold-wrapped chocolate coins) is another part of the celebration. Your host might appreciate gifts of chocolate, gourmet applesauce, candles, books or board games.

What to wear to any Hanukkah celebration. Go for classic blue, white, and gold when trying to style a Hanukkah dress. Not sure where to find a cute and stylish Hanukkah dress? Opt for a simple blue style like this gorgeous pleated midi dress from Prettygarden.

Latkes. Traditionally, latkes are fried potato pancakes eaten to remember the oil miracle in the Hanukkah story. There are many latke variations, including sweet potato, zucchini and cheese and red pepper.

So many traditional Jewish foods double as brunch favorites, from potato latkes (hash browns, anyone?) to doughnuts and challah. Fried foods are a given, so don't be shy with the olive oil. And no brunch is complete without a champagne co*cktail — we recommend pretty pink cranberry mimosas.

Meaty Main Dishes

The star dish for many Hanukkah dinner tables is brisket. It's a show-stopping centerpiece that's as classic as it gets, which is why we love it. For something a little different but equally as fitting, we also love a wintery braise filled with semolina dumplings.

What are three foods that are associated with Hanukkah? ›

From latkes and matzo ball soup to brisket and kugel, don't miss out on these tasty Hanukkah foods.

The first official White House Hanukkah Party was held on December 10, 2001, under the leadership of President George W. Bush, using a 100-year-old Hanukkah menorah that the White House borrowed from the Jewish Museum of New York.

Well, as with many cultures and religions, traditions keep stories alive and bring families together. Eating fried food like latkes and sufganiyot is a tradition that reminds us of the miracle of the oil, but to me, the best part about this tradition is that it brings my family together year after year.

Symbolic Foods

Most of these traditional foods are fried in oil, symbolic of the oil that lasted eight days. Others contain cheese to celebrate Judith's victory. Three popular foods eaten on the Jewish holidays include loukoumades, pancakes, and latkes.

Your host might appreciate gifts of chocolate, gourmet applesauce, candles, books or board games.

There's no need to fret about all the presents, though: We put together our favorite selection of Hanukkah presents, including pajamas, stylish menorahs, sweets, games, and delightful surprises so that you can spend less time obsessing over what to get everyone on your list, and instead enjoy the holiday.