Everything for eight nights: 31 things, from the oil and potatoes for the latkes to the brisket, the applesauce-versus-sour-cream debate, the jelly doughnuts and the gelt. Each line links to the full MyTastr ranking and names the current #1 pick.
The point of Hanukkah food is oil, for the miracle of the lamp that burned for eight nights. Fry something. Buy what your family makes and skip the rest.
Tap + Add to list on anything you need (or Add all in the bar below), then copy or share your list. It also saves to your MyTastr list.
Latkes
Potatoes, onion, egg and plenty of hot oil. Then the toppings.
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Avocado oil
Another high-heat frying oil if you need a peanut-free option.
Chefs’ #1: Chosen Foods 100% Pure Avocado Oil
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Applesauce
The sweet camp. Unsweetened, chunky or smooth.
Taste-test #1: Vermont Village Organic Unsweetened Applesauce
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Smoked salmon
Lox on a latke with sour cream and dill is the grown-up version.
Chefs’ #1: Acme Smoked Nova Salmon
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Brisket & the meal
Brisket braised low and slow, or roast chicken, plus the sides.
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The base of a classic sweet-sour brisket braise.
Canned tomatoes
Chefs’ #1: Bianco DiNapoli Organic Whole Peeled
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Red wine vinegar
A splash brightens the braising liquid.
Chefs’ #1: Martin-Pouret Red Wine Vinegar (Orléans)
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Cottage cheese
For a sweet noodle kugel.
Chefs’ #1: Good Culture Cottage Cheese (whole milk or low-fat)
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The original Hanukkah oil, for roasting vegetables and the salad.
Extra-virgin olive oil
Chefs’ #1: Olio Santo California EVOO
Sweets & gelt
Sufganiyot, gelt, rugelach and cookies for eight nights of visitors.
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Sugar
Powdered sugar to dust the doughnuts, granulated for everything else.
Chefs’ #1: Wholesome Organic Cane Sugar (granulated and powdered)
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Brunch & the board
Many families do a dairy night: bagels, lox and cheese.
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Feta
Fried cheese and cheese latkes nod to the Judith story; feta or a salty cheese works.
Chefs’ #1: Mt. Vikos Barrel-Aged Greek Feta
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Also pick up
Not ranked on MyTastr (yet): the fresh produce, specialty items and decorations the list above assumes you have.
- Russet potatoes (lots: about a pound per three people for latkes)
- Yellow onions
- Matzo meal or potato starch for binding latkes
- Brisket (first-cut or point; order from the butcher)
- Carrots and celery
- Fresh dill, parsley and chives
- Lemons
- Apples, if making your own applesauce
- Challah (bakery or homemade)
- Sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts) from a bakery
- Chocolate gelt and dreidels
- Hanukkah candles (44 for all eight nights)
Tasters cited from public sources have not endorsed MyTastr.
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