Family-Favorite Jewish Recipes We Cook All Year Round

The sizzle of latkes, the savory aroma of brisket braising in the oven, and the warm fragrance of noodle kugel fresh from the oven—these dishes have long anchored our Jewish holidays, but they belong in everyday life too. My children ask for latkes in the middle of summer, and a slow-braised brisket on a chilly Sunday brings comfort for the week ahead. Matzoh brei appears well beyond Passover, and I always keep a stash of chocolate caramel matzoh—our household’s beloved Matzoh Crack—on hand.

This collection gathers the recipes that feel like tradition and actually satisfy: crispy, sweet, savory, and utterly irresistible. Whether you’re planning a holiday feast or craving something familiar, these are the dishes I turn to again and again.

Jewish Holiday Main Dishes

Jewish Brisket

For many families, a holiday table isn’t complete without brisket. This version braises low and slow until it becomes tender and fork-ready. It actually improves when made a day or two ahead, which makes it ideal for entertaining. Leftovers transform into sensational sandwiches and a hearty brisket-and-barley soup that’s perfect on cold nights.

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Leftover Brisket Barley Soup

If there’s one tip I insist on, it’s to cook more brisket than you think you’ll need. Extra brisket yields a comforting barley soup that my family treasures as much as the main roast. It’s warming, satisfying, and a great use of leftovers.

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Silver Palate Chicken Marbella

Chicken Marbella—marinated with dried fruit, wine, and savory aromatics—is a favorite for Passover and Rosh Hashanah. Its Sephardic-inspired flavors make it feel festive and appropriate for holiday gatherings. The recipe is forgiving, yields moist chicken, and can be prepared ahead: no searing required, just marinate and bake.

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Jewish Side Dishes

Noodle Kugel

This sweet noodle kugel appears at nearly every holiday table in my home (except Passover). It’s creamy and custardy with a hint of orange zest for brightness, and it’s equally good warm or at room temperature. One pan feeds a crowd and delivers that comforting, homemade feeling everyone loves.

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Braised Red Cabbage

This braised red cabbage, enhanced with radicchio, citrus, and honey, is a holiday staple in our house—especially on Rosh Hashanah. It’s sweet and tangy, provides striking color on the plate, and balances richer mains like brisket or roast chicken. It’s a side that adds brightness and flavor to any meal.

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Whitefish Salad

Homemade whitefish salad is a classic deli favorite—creamy, smoky, and far superior to store-bought tubs. It’s perfect on bagels for brunch or served with crackers as part of a holiday spread. Elegant, simple, and deeply satisfying, it evokes the best kind of Sunday morning.

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Passover Recipes

Nut-Free Charoset

Charoset is a meaningful part of the Seder plate, and this nut-free version keeps everyone at the table included. It’s sweet, spiced, and carries that wine-soaked depth that pairs beautifully with matzoh throughout the holiday. It’s both symbolic and delicious.

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Matzoh Brei

Matzoh brei turns leftover Passover matzoh, eggs, and a bit of butter into instant comfort. I make mine savory with salt and pepper, though others enjoy it sweet with cinnamon sugar. It’s fast, cozy, and the kind of Jewish soul food I crave both during Passover and beyond.

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Chocolate Caramel Matzoh

This Passover dessert vanishes quickly—crisp matzoh topped with buttery caramel, coated in chocolate, and finished with flaky salt. I make it ahead and store it in the fridge, but it never lasts long. It’s addictive in the best possible way, and everyone asks for the recipe after the first bite.

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Hanukkah Recipes

Crispy Jewish Potato Pancakes (Latkes)

These latkes are the benchmark in my kitchen—crispy, golden, and worth every splatter at the stove. They work for Hanukkah parties, brunch, or as appetizers with cocktails. Serve with applesauce and sour cream and prepare for everyone to wait impatiently for the next hot batch.

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Jewish Desserts

Blintzes

Cheese blintzes are delicate, creamy, and turn an ordinary breakfast into something special. Often served for Shavuot or to break the fast on Yom Kippur, they’re welcome any day someone needs a little indulgence. Top with berry sauce and sour cream or a drizzle of maple syrup for an elegant, comforting treat.

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Jelly Doughnuts

Light and airy jelly doughnuts—packed with jam and rolled in cinnamon sugar—are my Hanukkah showstopper. These sufganiyot-inspired treats are the perfect finale after a plate of latkes and bring a festive, traditional sweetness to the table.

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Apple Coffee Cake

This apple coffee cake appears often during the holidays in my home. Apples have long symbolized sweetness and abundance on Rosh Hashanah, and this easy, tender cake is quick to make. It’s buttery and moist—if you keep kosher, serve it appropriately with dairy or parve meals. For Rosh Hashanah, I sometimes cut the sugar topping and add a light drizzle of honey to each slice.

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