Whether or not you actually have a Jewish grandma, we’re willing to bet that you’ve probably been fed by one at some point, considering it’s practically inscribed in the Torah as a grandmotherly duty. If you’re craving something traditional for Hanukkah, seeking a modernized twist on a classic for Passover or simply in need of a little comfort food, lean on one of these 23 old-school Jewish recipes. We may not make them *exactly* like Bubbe did, but we think she’d be proud anyway.
23 Old-School Recipes Your Jewish Grandma Used to Make
Published Apr 3, 2023
2. Matzo Ball Soup with Chicken Meatballs
- Time Commitment: 5 hours and 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy
The next time we catch a cold, we’re calling Coterie member Heidi Larsen. (Did we mention her homemade chicken broth was inspired by a recipe by our queen, Ina Garten?)
- Time Commitment: 6 hours
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, <10 ingredients, kid-friendly
Before you tell us you don’t have time to make homemade bread, hear us out. This dough comes together easily in an electric mixer, no kneading required.
- Time Commitment: 3 hours and 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, high protein
Unlike Southern-style barbecue brisket, Jewish brisket is typically braised in the oven instead of smoked, alongside potatoes, crushed tomatoes and carrots.
5. Hamantaschen
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
The triangular cookies are served during Purim, a holiday that commemorates the saving of the Jewish people from a Persian Empire official. They're usually filled with apricot or raspberry jams or chocolate spread, but feel free to branch out.
7. Charoset
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: no cook, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients
A side dish starring fruit, nuts and red wine, charoset is symbolic of the mortar enslaved Jewish people used to build pyramids and other structures in ancient times. While it's usually served at Passover, it's easy enough to prepare whenever.
8. Chocolate Banana Bread Babka
- Time Commitment: 2 hours and 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: make ahead, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
Is it bread? Is it cake? We don’t exactly know, and TBH, we don’t really care. This new-school twist is yeasty, sweet and swirled with chocolate and banana. In other words, we love it.
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, kid-friendly
We're all for standard Jewish noodle kugel, whether it leans sweet or savory. But this version—topped with cinnamony, buttery oat crumble—really won us over.
- Time Commitment: 4 hours and 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: high protein, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
This recipe includes five—yes, five—sliced yellow onions to give the brisket a beautiful golden color and soup-inspired, caramelized sweetness. It’s so tender that you won’t even need a knife to cut it.
11. Gluten-Free Rugelach with Cranberry Jam and Chocolate
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: make ahead, gluten free, crowd-pleaser
The sweet-tart combination of cranberries and chocolate makes this twist on a traditional dessert feel totally modern and sophisticated.
12. Smoked Salmon Dip with Everything Bagel Chips
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, no cook
OK, this isn’t exactly how Grandma used to make it. But it’s a super fun update to an iconic Jewish breakfast combo: bagels and lox. It's just the centerpiece for weekend brunch.
13. Lemon and Herb Roast Chicken
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
There’s nothing like a succulent roast chicken for a Shabbat dinner or holiday meal. We season the chicken with lemon, thyme, rosemary and butter, resulting in tender, juicy meat with crispy, golden skin. Sub olive oil for butter if you don't eat meat and dairy together.
14. Falafel Patties
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegetarian, make ahead, beginner-friendly
We’re pretty sure there should be a falafel sandwich on the Israeli flag. With the help of a food processor or blender, the chickpea mixture is actually a breeze to prepare.
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegan, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
Our bellies are warm just thinking about this hearty soup, from Coterie member Maria Lichty. Save time before dinner by simmering the barley until soft the night before.
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegan, beginner-friendly
A great alternative to tzimmes, a traditional Ashkenazi stew typically made from carrots, additional root vegetables and dried fruit. This goes perfectly next to roast chicken at the Shabbat table.
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
We’d never turn down thin crepes stuffed with cheese and fried in butter. Bonus: This version is totally gluten-free, thanks to a blend of buckwheat, sweet rice and oat flours.
18. Reuben Sandwich
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, high protein
From the marble rye to the creamy Russian dressing, this deli staple never gets old. This recipe uses corned beef instead of pastrami for a thicker texture. Skip the cheese if you don't eat meat and dairy together. (We’ll take ours with extra pickles, please.)
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, dairy free
The matzo balls are studded with chopped scallions and the broth is infused with kombu and white miso, so each bite is bound to burst with umami-rich flavor. Top your bowl with roasted nori for good measure.
- Time Commitment: 3 hours and 5 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, <10 ingredients
Please everyone at the table with this pull-apart take on challah. Each section is meant to be coated in a different ingredient (think garlic flakes, sesame seeds, za'atar and sweet crumbs).
21. Family Falafel with Tahini Yogurt
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, vegetarian
If you're craving falafel but don't want to commit to all that rolling and frying, this recipe is just the solution. The falafel is baked in a single layer instead for easy scooping.
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: kid-friendly, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
Not to be confused with fancy French macarons, coconut macaroons are a classic Passover-friendly treat, since they're made without wheat flour. The chocolate dip is optional...but why deprive yourself?
- Time Commitment: 5 minutes
- Why We Love It: no cook, <10 ingredients, <30 minutes, beginner-friendly
Fun fact: There’s no egg or cream in this classic fountain soda (which came about in the Jewish immigrant communities of the Lower East Side and Brooklyn in the early 20th century)—just milk, seltzer and chocolate syrup.
Taryn Pire is PureWow’s associate food editor. A former bartender and barista, she’s been writing about all things delicious since 2016, developing recipes, reviewing restaurants and investigating food trends at Food52, New Jersey Family Magazine and Taste Talks. When she isn’t testing TikTok’s latest viral recipe, she’s having popcorn for dinner and posting about it on Instagram @cookingwithpire.
More Stories You'll Love
26 Legitimately Good Pumpkin Spice Products to Try, Ranked
Target Just Launched a *Ton* of New Fall Snacks—Here Are 10 We Can’t Wait to Try
30 Christmas Bread Recipes That Are Easy, Pretty and Festive
The 12 Best Cookware Sets of 2023, Vetted for Every Type of Home Cook (Plus Shopping Tips from an Expert)
Help, It’s Thanksgiving Morning and My Bird Is Still Frozen! Here’s How to Quickly Thaw a Turkey and Save the Day
85 Best Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes That Will Sweeten Your Holiday Table