Thanksgiving isn’t just about football and stuffing your face with turkey. It’s a harvest festival in which we reflect on the bounty of food and give thanks to our Creator for providing it.
With this in mind, including traditional Jewish Thanksgiving Food at your various Thanksgiving festivals is important.
So that you can enjoy all of the holiday’s conventional trappings while keeping them culturally appropriate.
Here is Jewish Thanksgiving Food that you should include at your next Thanksgiving dinner.
1. Pumpkin Mousse
Pumpkin mousse is a Jewish Thanksgiving Food. It is a light and fluffy dessert perfect for a holiday and Thanksgiving.
In addition, It’s made with just a few simple ingredients, including pumpkin puree, cream cheese, and whipped cream.
Plus, it can be easily made beforehand to enjoy your guests without worrying about last-minute preparations.
2. Classic Apple Crisp
As the weather gets cooler and the leaves change color, thoughts turn to Jewish Thanksgiving Food.
For many, this holiday is all about the turkey. But for Jews, many traditional dishes, including classic apple crisp, are perfect for the occasion.
3. Vegetarian Couscous
This North African dish is made from semolina and can be served as a side or main course. It’s traditionally vegetarian, but you can add chicken or beef if you’d like.
Also, the couscous is cooked in broth and then steamed so it’s light and fluffy. Topped with sauteed vegetables, it’s a healthy and flavorful Jewish Thanksgiving Food that everyone will enjoy.
4. Vegan Sweet Potato Kugel
More and more people are looking to ditch animal products, such as vegan kugel. It is the perfect dish to bring to your next holiday potluck.
Meanwhile, his dish is hearty, satisfying, and loaded with flavor. Plus, it’s easy to make ahead of time, so you can enjoy your holiday stress-free.
5. Sweet Potato and Carrot Latkes
This is another Jewish Thanksgiving Food. These classic latkes are perfect for your Thanksgiving feast! Made with shredded sweet potatoes and carrots
Furthermore, they’re crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. For a tasty treat, you can serve them with applesauce or sour cream.
6. Brisket
The list of Jewish Thanksgiving foods is not complete without mentioning Brisket. This traditional Brisket is cooked low and slow, making it tender and flavorful.
Yum, the secret to its success is the seasoning rub, which gives the meat a delicious crust. Serve this dish with mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
7. Savory Apple-Kasha Stuffing
This stuffing is made with kasha, buckwheat, and apples. It’s savory and slightly sweet and a great side dish for your holiday dinner.
Best of all, it’s gluten-free so that everyone can enjoy it. You’ll need 2 tbsp olive oil, one medium onion, diced; 2 celery stalks, chopped; 2 cups sliced peeled Granny Smith apple; 3 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth; 1 cup medium pearl barley or wheat berries; Salt and pepper to taste.
8. Apple Strudel
One of the most popular desserts in Germany, apple strudel is a must-have at any holiday dinner table.
This dish is made with a thin pastry dough filled with a sweet apple filling and then rolled into a log.
The strudel is then baked until the pastry is golden brown and crispy. For an extra special treat, serve this dish with a dollop of whipped cream or ice cream.
9. Bread Kugel with Dried Fruit and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Kugel is a traditional Jewish dish typically served during holidays. This bread kugel recipe uses dried fruit and sun-dried tomatoes, making it a perfect side dish for your Thanksgiving feast. What are some of your favorite Jewish dishes?
10. Butternut Squash in Sweet and Sour
This dish perfectly balances sweet and sour, and the squash provides a lovely sweetness and creaminess that pairs perfectly with the tangy sauce. It’s also great to sneak some veggies into your holiday feast!
11. Tunisian Spiced Carrots
These carrots are a flavorful and healthy addition to any Thanksgiving feast. Tunisian spices like cumin and paprika give them a unique flavor, while the honey and orange juice add a touch of sweetness. Best of all, they’re easy to make and can be served warm or cold.
12. Fresh Apple Cider
Apple cider is a fall favorite and a great addition to your Thanksgiving feast. But did you know that this tasty beverage has a long Jewish history?
Cider was once used as a critical ingredient in the religious ceremony of kiddush. Many Jews enjoy apple cider as part of their Jewish Thanksgiving Food celebrations.
13. Challah
Challah is a traditional Jewish Thanksgiving food often served at holiday meals. This egg bread is rich and fluffy, perfect for sopping up all the gravy on your plate.
Plus, it’s pretty enough to serve as a centerpiece on your table. Or, if you’re ambitious, you can make these festive pumpkin challah rolls. These are made with pie crust dough instead of yeast dough and have a few spices.
14. Gefilte fish
Gefilte fish is a traditional Ashkenazi Jewish Thanksgiving Food made from a poached mixture of carp, pike, or whitefish. It’s typically served as an appetizer or first course and is often served with horseradish.
Gefilte fish is a popular dish for many reasons: it’s flavorful, easy to make ahead of time, and can be served either hot or cold. Plus, it’s great for your guests to start snacking before the main meal!
15. Cornbread dressing with chicken soup
Cornbread dressing is a must for any Southern Thanksgiving feast, and this version made with chicken soup is extra special.
The soup’s addition makes the dressing extra moist and flavorful. Plus, it’s a great way to use any leftover chicken soup from earlier in the week.
16. Red beet eggs with horseradish sauce
Delicious and beautiful, these red beet eggs with horseradish sauce are a traditional Jewish Thanksgiving Food. It is perfect for your Thanksgiving feast.
The eggs are boiled, peeled, and soaked overnight in a mixture of vinegar, water, and beet juice, which gives them their distinctive pink color.
The next day, they are drained and sliced, then served with horseradish sauce. The perfect bite of salty, tangy, and sweet eggs will be a hit with your guests!
17. Honey Cake
This is another delicious Jewish Thanksgiving Food. Honey cake is a traditional Jewish dessert often served at Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.
The cake is made with honey, spices, and nuts, symbolizing a sweet new year. Honey cake can also be enjoyed at Thanksgiving, a holiday that celebrates bounty and harvest.
18. Cranberry sauce
It’s not Thanksgiving without cranberry sauce! This staple dish is both tart and sweet and can be made in various ways.
Cranberry sauce is a must-have at any Jewish Thanksgiving feast. It adds flavor and balance to the meal and represents the holiday colors – green from the sugarcane juice and red from the cranberries.
Plus, it gives you an excuse to use your favorite pie plate again! The most common way of making cranberry sauce is by simmering fresh or frozen berries with sugar, water, or other juices for 15 minutes or until they pop open.
However, if you’re feeling adventurous this year, why not try something new? From balsamic vinegar drizzled over your favorite store-bought brand to swapping out the white sugar for honey or agave nectar, there are endless possibilities for this classic Jewish Thanksgiving Food.
19. Ultimate Kosher Turkey
The key to a tremendous kosher turkey is in the brine. This step adds flavor and keeps the meat moist. Once you’ve got your turkey, it’s time to stuff it.
But don’t stuff it too full! Now it’s time to roast. Make sure you baste it every 30 minutes or so. And finally, after a few hours, your turkey should be perfectly cooked. Let it rest for a bit before carving.
20. Pumpkin Pie
Jewish pumpkin pie is a delicious and unique Thanksgiving Food twist on a classic holiday dessert.
This recipe features a dark and spicy pumpkin filling, making it perfect for those who like their pies with a little kick.
The crust is made from traditional Jewish bread, which gives the pie a flaky and crispy texture. For a truly decadent treat, serve this pie with a whipped cream or ice cream dollop.
