Skip to Content
Hanukkah candles in blue.

Celebrating Hanukkah While Eating Paleo

Hanukkah is celebrated by over 100 countries and millions of people around the world each year. In addition to the religious practices and rituals of this time, the symbolism of hope, renewal, vitality, resilience, and simplicity can be found in everything from the Menorah to the holiday menu. To support the many people looking to celebrate Hanukkah who may have gluten allergies, dairy sensitivities, or simply a preference to eat minimally processed foods, we’ve curated a list of resources with hopes you’re able to focus on the reason for your holiday and be less stressed with planning and logistics. From our team to you and yours, Happy Hanukkah.

A young child infant of a menorah celebrating.

Grocery Shopping Practices that Align with Hanukkah

  • Prepare nutrient-dense meals that provide energy and other health benefits
  • Choose seasonal ingredients like squash, carrots, beets, parsnips, and Brussels sprouts
  • Shop from local farms with responsible agricultural practices that give back to the land
  • Season food with herbs of cultural significance such as parsley, mint, and thyme
  • Minimize highly processed foods that contain little nutritional value

Prepare Your Hanukkah Menu

Night 1: Latke Variations with Sauces

Okinawa latkes finsihed on a table outside.

Okinawa Latkes

Butternut Squash Latkes with Cilantro Sauce

Crockpot Applesauce

healthy sour cream recipe

Paleo Sour Cream

PaleoFLEX™ Almond Shortbread Cookies

Night 2: Sweet Potato Kugel with a Wintry Mocktail

Sweet potato kugel finished in a baking dish.

Sweet Potato Kugel

Cranberry mocktails finished in a birdseye view.

Sage & Cranberry Mocktail

PaleoFLEX™ Coconut Cream Pie

Night 3: Turkey Meatballs with a Winter Salad

From above, on a wooden charger, a white bowl of zoodles and turkey meatballs with a silver fork and spoon, garnished with fresh basil.

Zoodles with Turkey Meatballs

Beet and Pear Salad

Beet and Pear Salad

Mixed Berries with Whipped Coconut Cream

Night 4: Baked Cod with Brussels Sprouts

A plate of baked cod garnished with chopped fresh parsley and two lemon slices, with sautéed spinach and a silver fork, placed on a wooden charger plate.

Mediterranean Baked Cod

Roasted Brussels Sprouts recipe in a cast iron skillet on a wooden cutting board

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Garlic Balsamic Glaze

Apple Cider Mocktail finished on the countertop.

Apple Cider Mocktail

Night 5: Eggplant Lasagna with Roasted Carrots

Paleo Eggplant Lasagna (Vegan-Friendly)

A colorful bowl of healthier honey glazed carrots

Healthier Honey Glazed Carrots

Pumpkin Spice Date Balls

Night 6: Roasted Chicken with Scalloped Sweet Potatoes

Whole Roaster Herb Chicken

Sweet potato pommes anna plated in a dish.

Sweet Potato Pommes Anna

Two homemade lemonades finished.

Apple & Pomegranate Homemade Lemonade

Night 7: Lamb Stew with a Tart, Fizzy Beverage

One-Pot Lamb Roast with Veggies and Mushrooms

Cranberry Lime Fizz Mocktail

PaleoFLEX™ Almond-Coconut Ice Cream

Night 8: Beef Brisket with Veggies and a Mocktail

Slow Cooker Beef Brisket

Old-Fashioned mocktail four glasses finished zoomed out.

Old-Fashioned Mocktail

Easy Paleo Coconut Macaroons recipe

Easy Paleo Coconut Macaroons

Support Optimal Digestion

Eating fried foods may cause GI upset, but incorporating fermented foods, foods rich in digestive enzymes, and drinking an apéritif and digestif surrounding your meal may reduce digestive issues. Also consider that minimizing or avoiding inflammatory foods and oils could also be supportive during this time.
Herbal apple cider vinegar Birdseye view.

Herbal Apple Cider Vinegar Tonic

Sparkling citrus digestif in glasses from above.

Sparkling Citrus Digestif

Digestive support tea with two cups and a teapot.

Digestive Support Ginger Cinnamon Tea

Close-Up Shot of Fresh Pomegranates on a Plate

Traditional Hanukkah Foods with Many Health Benefits

  • Root vegetables
  • Leafy greens
  • Squash
  • Figs
  • Dates
  • Pomegranates
  • Almonds
  • Walnuts
  • Fish
  • Lamb
  • Poultry
Health Benefits of Pomegranates
Father kissing daughter on the head durning a Hanukkah celebration.

Health-Forward Modifications to Traditional Recipes

  • Make Sufganiyot (traditional, jelly-filled donuts) using almond or coconut flour, and real fruit with honey or maple syrup
  • Alternatively, make treats that have a base or majority of ingredients as whole fruit or nuts
  • As dairy is sometimes prominent during Hanukkah celebrations, choose whole foods-based dairy alternatives with preparation methods that can provide both rich flavor and a more structured texture – like refrigerating cans of coconut cream overnight for making a cashew “cheese”
back to top