Jewish Recipes So Good They'll Make Your Bubbe Proud (2024)

Grandmothers of Ashkenazic Jewish heritage, i.e. Bubbes, are, naturally, the best purveyors of Eastern European Jewish delicacies, from chopped liver to matzo balls. Sure, delis may try and replicate that special bubbe touch, but nothing quite tastes like a dish straight from grandma's kitchen. Whether you're trying to impress your own bubbe or on the brink of becoming a grandmother yourself, add a few more Jewish recipes to your cooking repertoire with our collection.

01of 17

Matzoh Ball Soup

View Recipe

Jewish Recipes So Good They'll Make Your Bubbe Proud (1)

A Jewish grandparent is only as good as their matzo ball soup. Just kidding, a little bit. Referred to as kosher penicillin, this cure-all for everything from the common cold to the unfortunate heartbreak is a necessity in any Jewish home cook's repertoire.

02of 17

Pecan Noodle Kugel

View Recipe

Jewish Recipes So Good They'll Make Your Bubbe Proud (2)

Sweet pasta isn't common in Western cuisine, but kugel turns egg noodles into a sugary, cheesy side essential to any Jewish dairy celebratory meal. This pecan-crusted version gussies up a classic with a sweet crunch.

03of 17

Challah

View Recipe

Jewish Recipes So Good They'll Make Your Bubbe Proud (3)

Traditionally, the Friday night Shabbat table has not one, but two challahs. Perfect your braiding technique and try expanding to new shapes, with this classic recipe.

04of 17

Matzo Brei

View Recipe

Jewish Recipes So Good They'll Make Your Bubbe Proud (4)

Not just for Passover, this fried matzo and egg dish is a classic wake-up-at-Bubbe's situation. Eat it for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a snack — it's the type of back pocket recipe you'll want to master when your fridge is nearing empty.

05of 17

Strawberry Blintzes

View Recipe

Jewish Recipes So Good They'll Make Your Bubbe Proud (5)

Are they breakfast? Dessert? A main course? Only family tradition can tell you, but classic cheese-stuffed blintzes aren't hard to perfect, which means you can play around with the fruit toppings.

06of 17

Mom's Potato Latkes

View Recipe

Jewish Recipes So Good They'll Make Your Bubbe Proud (6)

The traditional Hanukkah potato pancake is worth making from scratch throughout the cold months. Or, better yet, enlist a few helpers to grate potatoes, whip up a giant batch and freeze latkes to reheat all winter long. Don't forget the applesauce and sour cream on the side!

07of 17

Jewish Style Sweet and Sour Brisket

View Recipe

Jewish Recipes So Good They'll Make Your Bubbe Proud (7)

Every bubbe has her go-to braised brisket recipe! Test out a few techniques and flavor combos to find yours.

08of 17

Bubbie's Chopped Liver

View Recipe

Jewish Recipes So Good They'll Make Your Bubbe Proud (8)

You either love it or hate it, but chopped liver isn't going anywhere. It's easier to make than you may think (just a few cooked ingredients and a blitz in the food processor) and can yes, be kind of luxe if you plate it right.

Raspberry and Apricot Rugelach

View Recipe

Jewish Recipes So Good They'll Make Your Bubbe Proud (9)

Part cookie, part pastry, all delicious, this croissant-shaped cookie can be made in sweet or savory varieties, with fruit preserves, chocolate, nuts, and more as the filling.

10of 17

Mom's Authentic Kosher Cholent

View Recipe

Jewish Recipes So Good They'll Make Your Bubbe Proud (10)

Traditionally cooked in a slow-cooker overnight between Friday dinner and Saturday lunch, this hearty meat, bean, and potato stew is a Shabbat staple.

11of 17

Sandy's Tzimmes

View Recipe

Jewish Recipes So Good They'll Make Your Bubbe Proud (11)

While very few traditional bubbe recipes are veggie forward (that food had to stick to the ribs in the old country), tzimmes is a lighter carrot dish that pairs with pretty much any entree as a nice side.

12of 17

Gefilte Fish

View Recipe

Jewish Recipes So Good They'll Make Your Bubbe Proud (12)

Gefilte is a project, but one worth attempting, especially if you want to incite nachas (pride) from bubbe. Be patient, open your windows (that fish scent sticks), and prepare to indulge in your homemade fish rolls — plus horseradish — once you've completed the many steps.

13of 17

Chocolate Chunk Mandel Bread

View Recipe

Jewish Recipes So Good They'll Make Your Bubbe Proud (13)

Known as the Jewish biscotti, these mandel bread are perfect for your coffee and mah jongg afternoon or a lazy day on the couch watching Seinfeld.

14of 17

Refrigerator Dill Pickles

View Recipe

Jewish Recipes So Good They'll Make Your Bubbe Proud (14)

Before the word "hipsters" even existed, your Jewish ancestors were pickling. Make your own kosher dills to accompany sandwiches, serve with appetizers, or even jar and package as gifts.

15of 17

Kasha and Bowties (Kasha Varnishkas)

View Recipe

Jewish Recipes So Good They'll Make Your Bubbe Proud (15)

Two types of carbs, one dish. Kasha is always a crowd-pleaser, so bringing it to your next potluck wouldn't be a mistake.

16of 17

Great-Grandmother Bubbie's Hamantaschen

View Recipe

Jewish Recipes So Good They'll Make Your Bubbe Proud (16)

These triangle-shaped butter cookies also leave plenty of room to riff on the fillings, whether you're a sweets lover or more of a poppy seed person.

17of 17

Old Fashioned Potato Kugel

View Recipe

Jewish Recipes So Good They'll Make Your Bubbe Proud (17)

Similar to a potato cake, only better, potato kugel is a starchy baked dish that feels like a hug on a plate.

Jewish Recipes So Good They'll Make Your Bubbe Proud (2024)

FAQs

What is the Jewish favorite food? ›

The typical components of the traditional Jewish meal include gefilte fish, chicken soup with matzo balls (also called Kneidlach), brisket, roasted chicken, a potato dish such as kugel or latkes and tzimmes.

What are the top 8 Jewish foods? ›

Top 10 Jewish Foods That Will Change Your Life
  1. Challah. If you have never had fresh baked challah straight from the oven, my goodness, you are missing out on a life changing experience.
  2. Matzah Ball Soup. ...
  3. Blintz. ...
  4. Latkes. ...
  5. Bagels and lox. ...
  6. Kugel. ...
  7. Shakshuka. ...
  8. Matzah brei. ...
Nov 13, 2019

What is the national dish of the Jews? ›

Israel does not have a universally recognized national dish; in previous years this was considered to be falafel, deep-fried balls of seasoned, ground chickpeas.

Why do Jews not eat pork? ›

The Torah explains which animals are kosher and which are not. Kosher animals are ruminants, in other words they chew cud, and they have split hooves, such as sheep or cows. Pigs are not ruminants, so they are not kosher. Animals that live in water can only be eaten if they have fins and scales.

What do Jews say before they eat? ›

Blessing prior to food

Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu, melekh ha'olam, hamotzi lehem min ha'aretz. Blessed are You, LORD our God, King of the universe, Who brings forth bread from the earth.

Can Jews eat lobster? ›

Lobster is not kosher: Jewish Scriptures prohibit eating all shellfish. Nevertheless, Maine's Jews have developed a pronounced fondness for one of this state's signature dishes. Many Jewish Mainers eat lobster even though they would never eat pork, another forbidden food.

What is the number one food in Israel? ›

Falafel is probably the most recognizably Israeli food there is. In almost every town in Israel you can find a choice of shops attracting the hungry with the delicious smell of frying falafels. The Shuk (market) Betzalel area in Tel Aviv, for example, is famous for its excellent falafel.

Can Jews eat pork? ›

Both Judaism and Islam have prohibited eating pork and its products for thousands of years. Scholars have proposed several reasons for the ban to which both religions almost totally adhere. Pork, and the refusal to eat it, possesses powerful cultural baggage for Jews.

What is Israel favorite food? ›

Falafel is probably the most recognizably Israeli food there is. In almost every town in Israel you can find a choice of shops attracting the hungry with the delicious smell of frying falafels. The Shuk (market) Betzalel area in Tel Aviv, for example, is famous for its excellent falafel.

Do Jews believe in Jesus? ›

Judaism's rejection of Jesus as the Messiah is based on Jewish eschatology, which holds that the coming of the true Messiah will be associated with events that have not yet occurred, such as the rebuilding of The Temple, a Messianic Age of peace, and the ingathering of Jews to their homeland.

What did Jews eat in the Bible? ›

At the time of the Bible, ancient Israel was famed for its wine, honey and pomegranates, along with its olive oil, which was used extensively both raw and for cooking the occasional meat and the more frequent stews of legumes like lentils and barley.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Lidia Grady

Last Updated:

Views: 6324

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (45 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Lidia Grady

Birthday: 1992-01-22

Address: Suite 493 356 Dale Fall, New Wanda, RI 52485

Phone: +29914464387516

Job: Customer Engineer

Hobby: Cryptography, Writing, Dowsing, Stand-up comedy, Calligraphy, Web surfing, Ghost hunting

Introduction: My name is Lidia Grady, I am a thankful, fine, glamorous, lucky, lively, pleasant, shiny person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.