Jewish Recipes

Christine Albury

Try this delicious selection of delicious Jewish recipes, including everything from pastrami to challah bread.

This selection of delicious Jewish recipes highlights the diversity of this wonderful cuisine.

Jewish food has evolved greatly over time, shaped according to dietary laws, international influence and certain festivals and traditions. It varies by region, tradition, and family, but there are a few foods that are most common, particularly within Jewish families and communities in the United States.

Challah Photo

Shabbat — the Jewish day of rest — is particularly significant. It starts when the sun goes down on Friday and ends on sundown the following day. It's a time when many traditional Jewish recipes are enjoyed, including challah bread, gefilte fish, and matzo ball soup.

Jewish Recipes to Try

Challah Bread

Challah bread is simply delicious! Moist and slightly sweet, some people  find it is quite similar to brioche. It contains lots of eggs - including extra egg yolks - giving it a wonderful richness and beautiful color. 

It is usually served plain, but sometimes delicious extras are added - some savory, like seeds, garlic and rosemary - and some sweet, like cinnamon and sugar or toasted almonds.

If you'd like to try your hand at making it, here is the best Challah Bread Recipe to try.

Challah Picture

Pastrami

Jewish immigration during the later half of the 19th century brought pastrami to the United States. The Jewish recipe has its roots in the Turkish pastirma, which was rather like jerky. Over time the recipe began to be made with goose meat, then adapted again by Romanian Jews who found beef a more affordable alternative. 

Most pastrami recipes now use corned beef, which is a beef brisket soaked in sugar and a variety of spices. It is then smoked - which turns it into pastrami - and is then ready for slicing and using to pile high in sandwiches.

Learn how to make your own pastrami.

Turkey Pastrami Image

Falafel

It may not immediately spring to mind when you are thinking of Jewish recipes, but Israel's proximity to its Arab neighbors means that new culinary influences are creeping in on both sides.

Falafel is so easy to make - a wonderful (and nutritious) mixture of chickpeas, onions, herbs and spices, blended together until perfectly smooth and then fried.

The dish can be made healthier still by baking instead of frying, but this doesn't give such a great texture. The best alternative is to air fry it instead.

Try your hand at Air Fryer Falafel.

Air Fryer Falafel Pic

Bagel and Lox

This is one of the easiest Jewish recipes to put together! It is ready in minutes and is great served for lunch or brunch. In fact, some people enjoy it so much that they just add a side salad and turn it into a complete meal.

Lox is simply raw salmon that has been brined or cured with salt. To make bagel and lox, all you need to do is toast a bagel, spread it with cream cheese and top with the salmon. Additional, optional toppings include capers, red onion, cucumber slices, and seasonings.

Smoked Salmon Avocado Cream Cheese Bagel Image

If you're observing Passover — also known as Pesach — you'll love these Passover appetizers!

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Christine Albury

About Christine

I'm a mom of 5 and love making healthy baby food with wholesome, natural ingredients. In 2005 I started the Homemade Baby Food Recipes website, sharing recipes for everything from simple fruit purees to gourmet curries for the baby food connoisseur! You'll also find plenty of tried and tested tips to help encourage even the most reluctant diner to enjoy a wide range of nutritious new foods. If you enjoy cooking, then you will LOVE learning to become head chef for a very special little customer!