15 Hanukkah Dinners Beyond Latkes (But Latkes Are Here, Too)

Whether you're planning one special dinner or cooking for all eight nights, these approachable recipes have you covered.

By
Micah Siva, RD
Micah Siva
Micah Siva, RD
Micah Siva is a trained chef, registered dietitian, recipe writer, and food photographer, specializing in modern Jewish cuisine. She runs Nosh with Micah, her personal blog.
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Published December 12, 2025
Micah Siva
Jewish Brisket on a Plate with Carrots and Parsley and a Bowl of Potatoes

Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

Hanukkah is just around the corner, and with eight nights of celebrations, I’m in constant “hostess” mode. Don’t get me wrong—hosting brings me joy (and chaos!). I love planning my holiday menus with guests dietary preferences, seasonality, and the ability to prep ahead in mind.

Whether you are cooking for a few guests or for a crowd, having a variety of recipes to help celebrate the holiday is crucial—especially when the traditional foods are fried in oil. To balance it out, I’m sharing my favorite indulgent, fried dishes, zippy salads to cleanse the palate, and make-ahead mains to make this Hanukkah stress-free. Many of these recipes can carry you through the entire holiday season and well into winter, with hearty, comforting dishes that feature seasonal produce.

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  • Beef Brisket Pot Roast

    Beef Brisket with Carrots on Platter

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

    If brisket is a go-to on your Hanukkah table, try this brisket pot roast, rich in flavor thanks to sweet carrots and plenty of onions. Better yet, you can make this in the slow cooker, freeing up precious oven space for your holiday hosting needs. Brisket tastes best the next day, so prep this one in advance!

  • Cucumber Salad With Tahini Dressing

    Cucumber Salad with Tahini Dressing
    Elise Bauer

    Looking for a simple lettuce-free salad that everyone will love, even the kids? Look no further. Packed with fresh herbs and a light sesame tahini dressing, this cucumber salad is a make ahead dish that deserves a spot on your Hanukkah table. It uses my favorite technique of salting cucumbers to season them from the inside out, while also removing excess moisture.

  • Sweet Potato Latkes

    Sweet Potato Latkes on a Parchment Lined Baking Sheet with One on a Spatula

    Simply Recipes / Micah Siva

    If you’re looking to do something a little different this year, make these sweet potato latkes. Naturally lower in water content than classic potatoes, sweet potatoes make irresistibly crispy latkes. Save time by keeping the peels on!

  • Homemade Applesauce

    Applesauce
    Elise Bauer

    You can’t serve latkes without a bowl of applesauce, and once you try homemade, you’ll never go back to the store bought varieties. Making your own couldn’t be easier, I even keep my peels on and give it a quick whizz in the blender until smooth.

    Continue to 5 of 15 below

  • Roasted Chicken Thighs with Fennel and Orange

    Roast Chicken Thighs with Fennel and Orange
    Aaron Hutcherson

    If brisket isn’t your thing, make this one pot skillet dinner with bright fennel and orange. Fennel is one of my favorite vegetables. When cooked, the licorice flavor mellos and it becomes beautifully sweet, complementing the acidic oranges. The perfect lighter main dish for the holiday!

  • Potato Latkes

    Plate of potato latkes topped with sour cream served with chive garnish and sauce on the side
    Latke photos by Alison Bickel; method photos by Sheryl Julian

    You can’t share a Hanukkah roundup without a latke recipe—or two! These classic latkes are simple to make thanks to the shredding disc on a food processor. The trick to crispy latkes is squeezing out all that excess liquid in your potatoes. It’s messy, but it’s worth it!

  • Jewish Brisket

    Jewish Brisket on a Plate with Carrots and Parsley and a Bowl of Potatoes

    Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

    The classic brisket I grew up with was cooked in a red wine and ketchup sauce for a sweet and savory dish that we’d look forward to every holiday. To prep ahead, let it cool and slice. Keep the slices in the cooking juices and freeze until ready to reheat in the oven for perfectly tender, make-ahead brisket.

  • Brussels Sprout Slaw

    Brussel Sprout Cole Slaw in a Bowl Next to a Bowl of Dressing and Bowl of Pecans

    Simply Recipes / Micah Siva

    Brussels sprouts don't just make the best salads—they make the best make-ahead salads. Prep this while your latkes are frying and brisket in the oven, it gets better with time. It’s one of my favorite winter holiday side dishes!

    Continue to 9 of 15 below

  • Green Salad with Fresh Herbs and Red Wine Vinaigrette

    Bowl of Green Salad with Fresh Herbs and Red Wine Vinaigrette with Serving Utensils

    Simply Recipes / Lori Rice

    To counteract a dinner full of rich brisket and crispy latkes, you need a side salad full of fresh flavors with an acidic dressing. I love using fresh herbs for a palate cleansing salad. The best part is that you can mix and match with whatever herbs you have on hand.

  • Cauliflower 'Couscous'

    Plate with cauliflower couscous mixed with ingredients like chopped vegetables and dried fruits served in an ornate dish
    Elise Bauer

    If you are hosting a crowd, chances are you’ll be navigating dietary restrictions from gluten-free to vegan. The trick is to make things that everyone will enjoy! I love using cauliflower as a gluten-free alternative to couscous by grinding it in the food processor until it resembles couscous and lightly steaming it.

  • Sufganiyot

    Sufganiyot (Israeli Jelly Donuts) on a Lined Cooling Rack Sitting on Parchment Paper and Next to a Knit Fabric

    Simply Recipes / Mica Siva

    You can’t celebrate Hanukkah without mentioning Sufganiyot, the pillowy jelly donuts that I grew up with. Every year, my mom would make homemade sufganiyot for us to fill with jam, and stuff our faces with, and it’s a tradition I carry on for my son. My favorite is strawberry jam or lemon curd, but you can get creative with fillings!

  • Donuts

    Glazed Donuts on a Wire Rack

    Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

    It’s not Hanukkah without donuts, and they are deceptively easy to make, most of the work being hands off. Either cut into circles or rings, and proof it overnight so you have time to fry while your family plays dreidel.

    Continue to 13 of 15 below

  • Cardamom Citrus Fruit Salad

    Closeup view of a fruit salad with sliced oranges and grapefruits
    Elise Bauer

    Winter citrus is unmatched, and when it comes to dessert, it’s nice to have something fresh on the table. Seasoned with lime, honey, and cardamom, this zesty, tangy fruit salad is the perfect complement to your Hanukkah meal.

  • Persimmon Pomegranate Fruit Salad

    Persimmon Pomegranate Apple Salad
    Elise Bauer

    After a meal of fried deliciousness, I love having a fresh dish to counteract the oily nature of the holiday. This wintery fruit salad uses two of my favorite fruits - pomegranates and persimmons with a zippy lemon and mint dressing for a dessert dish that everyone will love.

  • Best Sugar Cookies

    Assorted decorated sugar cookies with colorful icing and sprinkles on a cooling rack
    Irvin Lin

    Every year, I make Hanukkah themed sugar cookies to give to my friends and family. It’s a tradition I’ve done since I was a toddler, and it truly makes the holiday feel special. What makes these cookies special is a little bit of cream cheese, adding a bit of tang and making the dough a breeze to roll and cut.

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