37 Must-Try Shabbat Dinner Recipes: Traditional + Modern Favorites

In many Jewish households, Friday night is a special time for family. After lighting candles and saying prayers, it’s customary to enjoy a festive meal of challah and wine, marking the beginning of Shabbat. This meal also ushers in a day of rest, which separates the workweek from the weekend. This ritual includes plenty of food, wine, songs and conversations with loved ones.

Challah, matzo ball soup and roasted chicken are among some of the traditional Jewish Friday night dinners. However, you can build your Shabbat dinner menu with more modern options including Cajun drumsticks and scalloped potatoes. For those seeking kosher dinner ideas, vegetarian options are perfect for indulging in dairy while keeping the meal kosher.

For an easier lift, we’ve pulled 37 traditional and modern Shabbat dinner recipes for you to put to the test. We have starters, proteins, side dishes and dessert (of course). We even created a coloring page printable placemat to keep the kiddos entertained.

Categories:

• Appetizers
• Main dishes
• Vegetarian
• Side dishes
• Desserts
• Printable Shabbat placemat

1. Challah

Category: Appetizers

One of the most important and traditional recipes for Shabbat is challah. You can customize your braided bread for all palettes — add everything bagel seasoning for a savory challah recipe or mix in chocolate chips to satisfy your sweet tooth. Make sure to bake an extra loaf for the blessing of the bread, which traditionally calls for two loaves.

2. Matzo ball soup

Category: Appetizers

There is something so comforting about sipping a warm bowl of homemade matzo ball soup on Sabbath. Serve your soup during the first course or enjoy this hearty recipe as an entree.

3. Lentil soup

Category: Appetizers

Lentils symbolize the circle of life in the Jewish tradition. Enjoy a large bowl of this lentil soup as your first course on Shabbat, which is also a good source of energy.

4. Israeli salad

Category: Appetizers

Israeli salad is a fresh and flavorful dish made with finely diced cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions and parsley, tossed with olive oil and lemon juice. This vibrant salad pairs perfectly with other Shabbat foods and adds a refreshing touch to your meal. 

5. Hummus

Category: Appetizers

Creamy and rich, hummus is a versatile Shabbat appetizer made from blended chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice and garlic. Serve it with warm pita bread or fresh vegetable slices for a dish everyone will love.

6. Roasted chicken

Category: Main dish

Impress your loved ones with this garlic salt roasted chicken. Serve this entree with honey-glazed carrots to complete your Shabbos dinner.

7. Cajun drumsticks

Category: Main dish

Looking for modern Shabbat dinner recipes? These Cajun drumsticks are perfect for preparing the day before Shabbat to soak in the flavors. One bite and your family will suddenly have a new favorite meal.

8. Lamb chops

Category: Main dish

Bask in the delicious flavors of lemon and oregano with these lamb chops. Serve this entree with couscous or Israeli salad to complete the meal.

9. Cornish hens

Category: Main dish

Add a modern flare to your Shabbat dinner with this cornish hen recipe. The melted butter, thyme and oregano truly elevate this traditional Shabbat chicken recipe.

10. Maple salmon

Category: Main dish

Take your salmon recipe to the next level with a rich, sweet maple marinade. Serve your maple salmon with rice pilaf for a delicious and easy Shabbos meal.

11. Sheet pan chicken

Category: Main dish

Cut down on prep and cooking time with this sheet pan chicken. Add seasonal vegetables to your baking sheet for a simple yet tasty dinner.

12. Sweet and sour meatballs

Category: Main dish

Incorporate bold flavors into your Shabbos meal with these sweet and sour meatballs. Serve these bite-sized balls as an appetizer or as an entree with roasted potatoes.

13. Orange glazed chicken

Category: Main dish

Whip up a quick, mouthwatering dinner with this orange-glazed chicken. Your family will be head over heels for this dish after one bite.

14. Brisket

Category: Main dish

Brisket is one of the most traditional Shabbat dinner recipes, and for good reason. This tender, juicy and flavorful beef dish is so simple to make for Shabbos. Make sure to serve your brisket with crispy potatoes.

15. Sheet pan cod

Category: Main dish

This sheet pan cod is an alternative to chicken or beef. The best part is you only need one pan and a few ingredients to create this flavorful dish.

16. Beef stew

Category: Main dish

Impress your loved ones with this beef stew. The warmth of the soup along with the flavors of the beef, vegetables and seasoning pair perfectly for a comforting meal.

17. Braised Mediterranean chicken

Category: Main dish

This braised Mediterranean chicken is an excellent meal that freezes well and tastes even better the next day. Serve this chicken recipe for Shabbos with Israeli couscous and seasonal vegetables.

18. Grilled eggplant

Category: Vegetarian

Serve this grilled eggplant as an entree or side dish for Shabbat. This low-calorie meal pairs well with rice pilaf, grilled chicken and even a green salad.

19. Potato kugel

Category: Side dish

While potato kugel is a traditional Passover meal, you can still enjoy it on Shabbat. Follow this potato kugel recipe, or mix things up by adding your favorite vegetables. Serve your kugel as a side dish to one of the above Shabbat dinner entrees.

20. Roasted carrots

Category: Side dish

Keep things simple for Shabbos with these roasted carrots. Pair this side dish with brisket or sheet pan cod to complete your meal.

21. Zucchini kugel

Category: Side dish

Take your kugel recipe to the next level with this zucchini version. Not only are you getting an extra dose of vegetables, but it’s absolutely delicious.

22. Roasted potatoes

Category: Side dish

You can’t go wrong with these potato recipes for Shabbat. Try rosemary roasted potatoes and present this side dish with your choice of protein to balance out the flavors and textures.

23. Rice pilaf

Category: Side dish

Rice pilaf is a classic side dish for any meal, including Shabbos. Dress up this pilaf recipe with seasonal vegetables and seasonings. You can also swap the butter in this recipe for a dairy-free option for kosher restrictions.

24. Garlic scalloped potatoes

Category: Side dish

Scalloped potatoes are an excellent option for modern Shabbat dinner recipes. There is something so comforting about the crispy edges, soft middles and fragrant seasoning. Serve this side dish with your favorite fish or chicken dish.

25. Israeli couscous

Category: Side dish

Israeli couscous makes the perfect side dish for any meal due to its versatility. Mix in pine nuts, onion and seasoning or turn it into a couscous salad to serve with all types of protein.

26. Roasted asparagus

Category: Side dish

You can never go wrong with serving roasted asparagus during your Shabbat meal. Season with salt and pepper to your liking, and pair this side dish with chicken, fish or brisket.

27. Roasted Brussel sprouts

Category: Side dish

Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, roasted Brussels sprouts are a simple yet delicious addition to your Shabbat table. Toss the sprouts — and possibly other vegetables — with olive oil, salt and pepper, and roast until golden brown for a side dish that pairs well with any main course. 

28. Green bean casserole

Category: Side dish

This creamy green bean casserole is a comforting classic, made with tender green beans, savory mushroom sauce and a crispy fried onion topping. It’s an easy make-ahead dish that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser on Shabbat. 

29. Mandel bread

Category: Dessert

Enjoy this traditional Jewish cookie after your Shabbat dinner. Serve this crispy and tender treat with tea or coffee.

30. Lemon cake

Category: Dessert

Incorporate some zest into your meal with this lemon cake recipe. Use a dairy-free milk alternative to stick to kosher guidelines.

31. Crumb cake

Category: Dessert

Indulge in the moist fluffiness with every bite of this kosher-friendly crumb cake. Serve your tasty treat with your favorite type of coffee or tea.

32. Chocolate babka

Category: Dessert

No Shabbat dinner is complete without chocolate babka. Follow this foolproof recipe and experience the tender, decadent dessert for yourself.

33. Rainbow cookies

Category: Dessert

These mini cakes are a popular dessert in the synagogue — they are often the first to disappear at any gathering. One bite of these rainbow cookies and you’ll understand why they’re a fan favorite.

34. Coconut macaroons

Category: Dessert

You can count on these coconut macaroons to make a statement on Shabbos. Make sure to bake an extra batch for your family to enjoy throughout the week.

35. Rugelach

Category: Dessert

These twisted treats are sure to be eaten quickly at your Shabbat dinner. Switch up the rugelach flavors each week with chocolate, raspberry or cinnamon.

36. Gluten-free peanut butter cookies

Category: Dessert

Bring the richness of peanut butter to your dinner with these gluten-free cookies. Feel free to customize your cookies with different toppings like coconut or chocolate chips.

37. Parve chocolate cake

Category: Dessert

Who says you can’t have chocolate cake on Shabbat? Try this parve recipe that tastes even better than it looks. Serve each slice with a scoop of dairy-free ice cream.

Printable Shabbat placemat

Elevate your dinner with this printable Shabbat placemat. The best part is that it acts as a coloring page to keep your kids and younger guests entertained.

Gear up for your Shabbat!

Now that you have 35+ Shabbat dinner recipes to choose from, it’s time to prepare for your upcoming Shabbos. Whip up a batch of chocolate chip challah, maple salmon and crumb cake for dessert.

Don’t fret if you find yourself scrambling at the last minute to create your Shabbat dinner menu. Focus your time and attention on the grocery list planning and leave the shopping to Instacart. Order all of your ingredients and receive your groceries in a pinch. You can even buy premade kosher-friendly desserts to cut down on more time.