The Best 9 Side Dishes for Shabbat

Introduction

Side dishes for Shabbat don’t have to be fussy or time-consuming. I’m Samuel, passionate chef and storyteller at Trips Recipes, and I’ve designed these ten sides to bring both flavor and simplicity to your Shabbat table. Whether you’re balancing work, family, and everything in between—or simply want a delicious crowd-pleaser—these dishes strike the right chord. They’re perfect for warming the kitchen with cozy scents on a Friday afternoon and hold their own when served warm or room temperature, so you can savor the moment with loved ones.

The Best 10 Side Dishes for Shabbat

Dish	Main Ingredients	Flavor	Difficulty	Time
Matzo Ball Soup	Matzo meal, eggs, chicken broth	Savory, comforting	Medium	1 hr
Roast Chicken with Garlic & Lemon	Whole chicken, garlic, lemon	Savory, zesty	Medium	1 hr 30 min
Noodle Kugel	Egg noodles, cottage cheese, cinnamon	Sweet-savory, creamy	Medium	1 hr
Roasted Cauliflower w/ Tomatoes & Olives	Cauliflower, cherry tomatoes, olives	Roasty, tangy	Easy	35 min
Potato Kugel	Potatoes, onion, eggs	Savory, crispy	Medium	1 hr
Hummus with Pita Chips	Chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice	Creamy, garlicky	Easy	10 min
Charoset	Apples, walnuts, sweet wine	Sweet, spiced	Easy	10 min
Roasted Sweet Potatoes & Carrots	Sweet potatoes, carrots, herbs	Sweet, earthy	Easy	30 min
Sweet Butter & Honey Spread	Butter, honey, orange zest	Sweet, buttery	Easy	5 min

What to Serve for Shabbat Dinner

1. Matzo Ball Soup

Ingredients (serves 6):

• 4 cups chicken broth (homemade or low‑sodium)
• 3 large eggs
• ½ cup vegetable oil or schmaltz
• 1 cup matzo meal
• 2 tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper
• 2 quarts water
• Fresh dill or parsley (optional garnish)

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, whisk eggs, oil, salt, and pepper.
2. Stir in matzo meal, cover, and chill 30–60 minutes.
3. Bring broth to a gentle simmer.
4. Meanwhile, bring water to boil in large pot. Wet your hands, form 1″ balls from chilled matzo mixture.
5. Drop balls into boiling water, simmer covered 30 minutes—don’t lift the lid!
6. Transfer matzo balls to serving bowls, ladle hot broth on top, garnish with dill.

2. Roast Chicken with Garlic & Lemon

Ingredients (serves 6):

• 1 whole chicken (4–5 lb), rinsed & patted dry
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• Zest & juice of 1 lemon
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper
• ½ tsp paprika (optional)
• Fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 °F (200 °C).
2. Mix garlic, lemon, oil, salt, pepper, and paprika.
3. Rub mixture under and over the skin of chicken. Tuck lemon halves or herbs into the cavity.
4. Place chicken on rack in roasting pan breast‑side up.
5. Roast ~1 hr 15 min, until internal temp hits 165 °F and juices run clear. Rest 10 min before carving.

3. Noodle Kugel

Ingredients (serves 8):

• 12 oz wide egg noodles
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup cottage cheese or cream cheese
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ cup raisins or cranberries (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Cook noodles until just tender, drain.
2. Whisk together eggs, sour cream, cottage cheese, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon.
3. Fold in noodles and raisins.
4. Transfer to a greased 9×13″ pan and bake 45–55 min or until golden and set. Let cool slightly before serving.

4. Roasted Cauliflower with Tomatoes & Olives

Ingredients (serves 6):

• 2 heads cauliflower, cut into florets
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• ½ cup pitted olives (green or black), halved
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives or parsley

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 °F (200 °C).
2. Toss cauliflower with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast 20 min.
3. Add tomatoes and olives, roast 10 more min until cauliflower is golden.
4. Sprinkle with herbs and serve warm or at room temperature.

What to Bring to a Shabbat Potluck

5. Potato Kugel

Ingredients (serves 8):

• 3 lbs russet potatoes, peeled & grated
• 1 large onion, grated
• 3 eggs
• ½ cup matzo meal or flour
• 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper
• ¼ cup vegetable oil

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 °F (190 °C).
2. After grating, squeeze excess moisture from potatoes and onion.
3. Stir together eggs, oil, matzo meal, salt, and pepper. Mix with potatoes.
4. Spread in a greased 9×13″ pan. Bake 1 hr or until crispy and golden.

---

6. Hummus with Pita Chips

Ingredients (serves 8):

• 2 cans (15 oz each) chickpeas, drained & rinsed
• ¼ cup tahini
• 3 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp cumin
• 1–2 tbsp water (if needed)
• Pita chips or bread on the side

Instructions:

1. Blend chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, salt, and cumin until smooth.
2. Add water as needed for creamy texture.
3. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle paprika or parsley on top. Serve with chips or pita.

Side Dishes for Pesach

7. Charoset

Ingredients (serves 6–8):

• 3 apples, peeled & finely diced
• ½ cup chopped walnuts
• ¼ cup sweet red wine or grape juice
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp honey (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix apples, walnuts, wine, cinnamon, and honey.
2. Stir well, chill, and serve alongside matzo at your Passover table.

8. Roasted Sweet Potatoes & Carrots

Ingredients (serves 6):

• 3 large sweet potatoes, peeled & cubed
• 4 carrots, peeled & sliced
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper
• 1 tsp dried thyme or rosemary

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 °F (200 °C).
2. Toss vegetables with oil, salt, pepper, and herbs.
3. Spread on baking sheet, roast 25–30 min, stirring halfway through, until golden.

⏰ What Time is Shabbat Dinner?

Shabbat dinner begins just after candle lighting—usually 15–30 minutes after sunset on Friday. Depending on the season and location, that ranges from about 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM. It’s a lovely, predictable pause marking the start of rest and connection.

What to Give a Hostess for Shabbat Dinner

• Kosher wine or sparkling grape juice
• Fresh challah (wrapped beautifully in foil or parchment)
• Pareve desserts like chocolate rugelach or macaroons
• Shabbat candles or a small candle holder
• Seasonal flowers (unfragranced to avoid overpowering dinner)

What to Serve with Challah

9. Sweet Butter & Honey Spread

Ingredients (serves 6):

• ½ cup softened unsalted butter
• ¼ cup honey
• Zest of ½ orange (optional)

Instructions:

1. Mix butter, honey, and orange zest until creamy.
2. Spread on fresh challah for a sweet, comforting addition.

These ten recipes—including hearty mains, warm soups, fresh salads, and both savory and sweet sides—cover every part of your Shabbat table or potluck. They’re easy to prep, travel well, and bring warmth to your weekend with family and friends.

Tips & Tricks

• Prep ahead: Most sides can be assembled Friday morning or Thursday night, warmed up gently if needed.
• Balance flavors: Offer a mix—creamy (kugel), roasted savory (cauliflower), bright acidic (salad & cabbage).
• Kosher choices: Decide meat or dairy for main dish; these sides are adaptable. For meat, swap sour cream with plant-based yogurt.
• Presentation tip: Use bowls of varying heights and colors—it makes the table feel thoughtful and festive.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Over-roasting veggies: They should be tender with a bit of bite; mushy cauliflower loses appeal.
• Underdressing salads: A light coat gets lost—salt and acid are key for flavor.
• Skipping texture contrast: Everyone loves a crunchy element—crisp veggies or fresh herbs go a long way.
• Crowding the pan: Roast in batches for even caramelization.

Conclusion

When the week feels rushed, these side dishes for Shabbat bring simplicity, warmth, and flavor without fuss. Each one is designed by me, Samuel, with busy American families in mind—no stress, just delicious moments around the table. Whether you’re lighting candles or just gathering loved ones, these dishes help make Shabbat feel special—and memorable.

Our list of 10 Best Vegetable Side Dishes is packed with colorful, crave-worthy ideas.

For more recipes diversity, visit my Pinterest and Facebook Page Trips Recipes.

FAQs About side dishes for shabbat

Print