Vegan Hanukkah Menu
This vegan Hanukkah menu includes traditional Jewish recipes, with a vegan twist! Find starters, sides, a delicious main dish, and desserts! This collection of recipes will help you plan a complete menu or choose individual dishes to veganize or incorporate into your holiday table.
Hanukkah (Chanukah): The Jewish Festival of Lights
Hanukkah (Chanukah) is the Jewish eight-day celebration, or “Festival of Lights,” marked by the nightly lighting of the menorah and special prayers that honor the rededication of the Holy Temple following the Maccabean revolt against the oppression of King Antiochus IV Epiphanes of the Seleucid Empire.
According to tradition, the Jewish soldiers found only one small jug of oil in the Temple which was just enough for a single night. Miraculously, the oil lasted for all eight nights, giving them time to prepare a new supply of pure oil. To commemorate this miracle, Jewish people eat foods fried in oil, such as potato latkes (typically served with sour cream and apple sauce) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts), symbolizing enduring light, abundance, and the rededication of the Holy Temple.
Other celebratory Jewish foods that are enjoyed on Hanukkah include matzo ball soup, noodle or potato kugel, a meat-based centerpiece such as brisket, vegetables and other grains, challah and desserts like apple cake and babka.
Explore and enjoy the following vegan Hanukkah starters, sides, an entrée, and delectable desserts!
Hanukkah (Chanukah) 2025 begins at nightfall on December 14th, 2025 and ends with nightfall on December 22nd, 2025.
Vegan Hanukkah Starters
Start your vegan Hanukkah menu off with these delicious starters!
Vegan Chopped Liver
For some, the idea of chopped liver, which is deeply rooted in Jewish Food culture, brings up feelings of nostalgia and for others, it’s a hard pass. So, what is chopped liver anyway? Traditionally, it’s a savory pâté made from chicken livers, onions, seasonings and, sometimes, hard boiled eggs. It’s commonly served during Jewish holidays and can be found at any Jewish Delicatessen.
This Vegan chopped liver is not only completely animal-free but actually healthier for you. It’s made with simple ingredients like mushrooms for umami flavor, lentils for texture and protein and walnuts for a healthy fat. As a vegan Hanukkah starter, t’s delicious spread on matzo or a cracker! Click here to view the full vegan chopped liver recipe.
Vegan Matzo Ball Soup
You may think that finding a delicious, egg-free Vegan Matzo Ball Soup recipe is as likely as finding a unicorn. I promise you that after many a matzo ball fail, I can confidently and happily share this recipe with you! Click here to view the full vegan Matzo Ball Soup recipe.
Vegan Potato Latkes
Latkes (or Potato Pancakes) are typically served during or around Hanukkah. Tradition and Holiday aside, they are certainly enjoyed by everyone who loves fried Potatoes! These are actually pretty easy to make and need minimal oil, so you can sort of keep them on the healthier side. You an also add delicious vegetables like zucchini and carrot or make them with sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes. Click here to view the full recipe for these Potato Latkes.
Potato Sauerkraut Latkes
What makes these Latkes different? Sauerkraut! Adding it to the Latkes gives them this slight juicy brightness that you just have to try. The flavor is subtle but perfect. Click here to view the full recipe for these Sauerkraut Potato Latkes.
Homemade Apple Sauce
There’s nothing like the taste of homemade apple sauce, especially when it’s so easy to make. It’s made with minimal fresh ingredients and takes just over 30 minutes to make. Click here to view the full recipe for this Homemade Apple Sauce.
Vegan Hanukkah Sides
Challah, Sweet Noodle Kugel, Shaved Fennel and Apple Salad, or Kasha Varnishkes? Pick your favorite sides to add to your vegan Hanukkah menu.
Vegan Challah
This light, fluffy braided bread is the quintessential Jewish loaf enjoyed on the Sabbath and holidays. Traditionally made with oil instead of butter, it’s naturally dairy-free, though many recipes include eggs. I grew up eating egg challah and wanted to recreate that experience in a vegan version. Click here to view the full Vegan Challah recipe.
Sweet Noodle Kugel
The best way to describe what Sweet Noodle Kugel is (besides delicious) is a sweet and creamy noodle casserole. It’s a traditional Jewish dish that can be enjoyed year round but usually makes an appearance at holidays (such as Hanukkah.)
This Sweet Noodle Kugel is creamy, so yummy, and easy to make. Traditionally, non-vegan recipes use eggs, milk, cream cheese, and sour cream but I have very easily and happily veganized it! Click here for the full recipe.
Shaved Fennel & Apple Salad
This salad is crisp, light, and refreshing! Every ingredient plays a part in creating a perfectly balanced, delicious dish. Peppery arugula complements the sweet, cooling crunch of apple and fennel, vegan parmesan adds a bite of saltiness and the candied pecans add an irresistible touch of texture. A light, tangy Dijon vinaigrette ties all the flavors together. Click here to view the full recipe.
Kasha & Bowties (Kasha Varnishkes)
Kasha is made from buckwheat groats. When cooked with bow tie pasta and onions, it’s known in traditional Jewish preparation as “Kasha Varnishkes”. There’s something about the smell of the Kasha cooking that will always take me right back to my childhood! Click here to view the full recipe.
Vegan Hanukkah Entree
Jewish-Style Seitan Brisket
Yes, this recipe is completely Vegan! So what’s it made of? Seitan (or seasoned gluten dough.) There are a plethora of Seitan recipes that mimic, beef, chicken, steak, deli meats all depending on the seasonings added and cooking methods. Ok, on to why I’m calling it Jewish-style? If you look around for Brisket recipes, I’d say about 99% of them are going to be BBQ-flavored (or a variation thereof) and that is not what I grew up with in a Jewish household.
This version is seasoned with a blend of flavors and lots of Onions and is served with a jus or the cooking liquid which is similar to a very thin gravy. Brisket was often served at the holidays but also for weeknight dinners. The trick to making a tasty Seitan is by infusing as much flavor into it as possible. Adding seasonings to the dry and wet ingredients as well as the cooking liquid. Serve with a side of roasted veggies or mashed potatoes and all of those delicious braised onions. Click here to view the full recipe.
Vegan Hanukkah Desserts
From Rugelach to Jewish Apple Cake, Sufganiyot and Babka, these desserts are the perfect way to finish your vegan Hanukkah menu.
Vegan Rugelach (Cream Cheese Cookies)
This veganized version of Rugelach, which are crescent-shaped cream cheese cookies, is easy to make and delicious! Click here to view the full recipe by Kreg Sterns from Big Box Vegan.
Jewish Apple Cake
This cake is light, fluffy and filled with delicious cinnamon apples that are layered throughout. It’s traditionally baked in a tube or bundt pan but will be perfect in any shape. It’s easy to make and just sweet enough to add to your vegan Hannukah menu. Click here to view the full recipe.
Vegan Sufganiyot (Jelly-Filled Doughnuts)
Sufganiyot are deep-fried powdered jelly-filled doughnuts that are traditionally eaten during Hanukkah. This plant-based version is perfect for your vegan Hanukkah celebration. Click here to view the full recipe.
Vegan Babka
What’s not to love about pillowy soft bread swirled around a delicious filling like raspberry jam, cinnamon sugar or even chocolate? Babka is a sweet yeasted bread originating in the Jewish communities of Eastern Europe.
Just like challah but dare I say fluffier? It uses a rich challah dough recipe and whichever filling you like. This recipe is for both a cinnamon and raspberry filled babka but again, any filling you choose for your vegan Hanukkah menu will be delicious! Click here to view the full recipe.
More Vegan Recipes You Might Like
If you enjoyed this vegan Hanukkah menu, you might also like the following recipes.
- Vegan Challah Recipe (with Braiding Tutorial)
- Vegan Pumpkin Challah
- Vegan “Honey” Bundt Cake
- Vegan Matzo Brei
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All images by © Devorah Bowen, unless otherwise specified.
