Challah bread is a delicious, traditional Jewish bread that’s perfect for special occasions and holidays. But what do you serve with it? Well, we can tell you one thing—it’s not just butter!
There are so many amazing dishes to pair with challah bread that will make your meal even more memorable. From roasted vegetables to creamy dips, there’s something here for everyone.
So if you’re looking for the best side dishes to go with your challah bread, look no further! I have 15 of the most delicious side dish ideas that are sure to please even the pickiest eaters at your table.
What to Serve with Challah Bread?
Challah bread is a traditional Jewish egg bread often served as part of Shabbat or holiday meals. It can be served with many side dishes, including fruit, meat, vegetables, condiments, cheese and dip.
1. Strawberries and Cream Dip
Strawberries and Cream Dip is a luxurious treat to serve when your Challah bread needs an accompaniment. When selecting the freshest strawberries, the key is in the stems – look for bright, glossy green stems.
As for the dairy component, go for maximum creaminess by using a blend of ricotta cheese, heavy cream and mascarpone (just make sure it’s balanced so it’s not overwhelmingly sweet). If you’re feeling fancy, add in lemon zest or a pinch of cinnamon.
Finally, don’t forget to create tiny waves in the dip surface with a spoon to enhance the presentation – because who doesn’t love food that looks good? Serve your Strawberries and Cream Dip with Challah bread and get ready to be showered with compliments.
2. Creamy Vegetable Soup
Creamy vegetable soup is a wonderful way to enjoy Challah Bread. This delicious combination has been enjoyed for centuries, with traditional dishes using potato leek, butternut squash and other vegetables in a creamy and flavorful soup.
In terms of preparing it, making sure you take your time sautéing the vegetables helps develop more flavor and sweetness in each bite. When served alongside crispy slices of Challah bread, the contrast between flavors and textures creates an enjoyable experience impossible to duplicate with any other food combination.
Furthermore, when paired with a warm sprinkle of Gruyere or cheddar cheese atop each individual bowl of soup -one has created an exquisite feast worthy of any special occasion.
3. Roasted Vegetables
For a side dish that adds a burst of color and flavor to your meal, roasted vegetables are the way to go. Roasting brings out the natural sweetness of the vegetables, while also creating a beautifully caramelized exterior.
Carrots, brussels sprouts, and sweet potatoes all pair especially well. To bring out the full flavor of your roasted vegetables, preheat your oven to 400°F and prepare a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.
Place the vegetables on the baking sheet and coat them in olive oil and salt before putting them into the oven. Cook for 15 minutes or until golden brown before serving alongside oozy slices of warm challah bread.
Roasted root vegetables can be seasoned with rosemary for a smoky finish or topped with a dollop of pesto for additional flavor – delicious either way.
4. Hummus and Fresh Vegetables
Serving hummus with fresh vegetables is a popular and delicious way to enjoy challah bread. The smooth, creamy texture of the hummus paired with crunchy vegetables, like cucumbers, tomatoes, and bell peppers make for a tasty complement to the hearty Challah bread.
Anyone wanting to create a meal from these two items should start with lightly toasting or heating the Challah bread so that it is warm and slightly crisp. Then spread a generous layer of hummus across the top of it and add freshly prepared slices of vegetables. Finally, sprinkle some sea salt over everything and enjoy this simple yet flavorful snack.
5. Israeli Salad
This timeless classic is a staple in many Israeli households and is the perfect way to enjoy Challah bread. Made with chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and fresh parsley, it can be served both warm or cold and still be tasty without the need for additional dressings or oils.
For an authentic taste, squirt some fresh lemon juice over the salad and make sure you add some Kafta spice seasoning before going in for that first bite.
Preparing Israeli Salad is simple. Start by chopping up the vegetables into small pieces and then adding them to a bowl with olive oil, salt and pepper before mixing them together.
Serve alongside your homemade Challah Bread and savor the combination of its textures – light doughiness complimented with crunchy vegetables highlighted by refreshing citrus notes
6. Charoset
Charoset is a sweet, fruit-based spread that’s traditionally served during the Jewish holiday Passover. It is made from a unique blend of apples and honey, chopped nuts, wine, and cinnamon.
Many Jewish people enjoy spreading Charoset on Challah bread to celebrate this special time of year.
Although it was originally created as an edible reminder of the mortar used by the Jews when they were enslaved in Egypt 4 thousand years ago, Charoset has evolved into so much more than just a symbol.
Nowadays it serves as a delicious accompaniment to Challah bread or even crackers or matzo during the Passover Seder meal.
To make your own version of this special condiment, combine 2 cups of applesauce with ½ cup each of walnuts, almonds and raisins; 8 tablespoons of Manischewitz wine or apple cider; 2 tablespoons each of sugar and honey; and 1 teaspoon each of ground cinnamon and nutmeg. Simply mix all ingredients together until combined and enjoy with your Challah bread.
7. Gefilte Fish
Gefilte fish is a traditional Jewish dish that combines poached carp, whitefish, pike, and sometimes mullet into a savory pudding-like dish. The flavorful combination of these fish makes it a perfect meal to enjoy with Challah bread.
To make an authentic gefilte fish, first, you will need to de-bone the fish and remove the skin and then coarsely grind it in a food processor. Then mix the fish bone stock with your groundfish along with plenty of spices like onion, celery salt and pepper.
Next, shape the mixture into balls or logs, add some vegetables like carrots or julienned onions to the pan and simmer it on low heat for 30 to 40 minutes until everything is cooked through. To serve it up perfectly alongside challah bread, garnish your Gefilte Fish with horseradish and lemon wedges for optimal flavor.
8. Roasted Mushrooms
Roasted mushrooms or mushrooms sautéed with garlic and herbs make for a fantastic side to serve with challah bread.
For roasted mushrooms, preheat the oven to 350°F. Place a mix of chopped mushrooms such as cremini, shiitake, and portobello on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Toss them generously with extra-virgin olive oil, salt, pepper, and any herbs you may have on hand such as sage and thyme. Roast in the preheated oven for 15–20 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
For the sautéed version, warm some olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat then add thinly sliced garlic and cook until fragrant, 1–2 minutes. Add some chopped fresh herbs such as parsley and basil plus salt and pepper then stir in your cup of mushrooms. Cook until softened (5-7 minutes).
9. Israeli Couscous
Israeli couscous with roasted vegetables is a great accompaniment to Challah bread. The nutty flavor and al dente texture of the couscous combined with the sweet, smoky taste of the oven-roasted veggies create both color contrast and flavor depth.
Assembling this dish is unbelievably easy too – just toss cubed zucchini, bell peppers, and onions with olive oil, s&p and roast until golden brown. Combine the cooked couscous with your favorite pan sauce then add in the veggies before topping it off with a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten up the dish.
10. Stuffed Grape Leaves
Stuffed grape leaves, also known as dolmades, are a delicious addition when serving challah bread. Filled with a mixture of rice, herbs and lemon juice, they offer an unbeatable combination of flavors that pair perfectly with the honey-based sweetness of the challah.
Many recipes include pine nuts or currants in the filling for added texture and sweetness. Preparation can seem daunting at first but it is actually quite simple: Roll blanched grape leaves around your prepared filling and seal them with a sprinkling of lemon juice.
To prepare quality dolmades that will wow your dinner guests, make sure that each leaf has just the right amount of stuffing so they don’t burst open during cooking. Serve as part of an appetizer platter alongside Challah for an exquisite spread that is sure to please.
11. Falafel
Made from either ground chickpeas or fava beans and typically fried, Falafel is a perfect side to this traditional Jewish staple. For starters, choose a classic version and fill your falafel balls with herbs like cilantro and parsley, onions, garlic and spices like cumin, paprika and coriander for added flavor.
Then deep fry for a few minutes until the exterior becomes golden brown and crisp; aim for an internal temperature of between 160°F – 175°F (71°C – 79°C). Serve on the side with hot Challah bread or crumbled over a salad.
12. Roasted Beets
Roasted beets with feta cheese and balsamic glaze is a wonderful dish to serve during Shabbat, especially alongside challah bread. The sweetness of the roasted beets and the tangy richness of the feta cheese combine to create a flavorful balance that pairs perfectly with challah bread.
To make this popular side to your Shabbat meal, first, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Spread the cubed beets onto an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet and drizzle them with olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast in the oven for 30 minutes or until tender.
In the meantime, prepare a balsamic glaze by simmering 1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar over medium heat until lightly thickened and reduced by half. Once done roasting, mix together the beets with crumbled feta cheese, sea salt and freshly ground black pepper before adding a generous drizzle of balsamic glaze.
Serve warm or at room temperature alongside freshly baked challah bread for a tasty and festive Sabbath feast.
13. Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese
Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese is one of the tastiest ways to enjoy challah bread. To make this heavenly combination, start by cutting a loaf of challah into thick slices. Spread butter on both sides of each slice and place them in a hot skillet with some vegetable oil.
As both sides cook, prepare your buffalo chicken filling by heating cooked chicken strips with your favorite buffalo sauce over medium heat. Once each side of the challah is golden-brown, assemble your sandwich – layer sliced cheese on one side, top with the buffalo chicken mixture, and then top with more cheese.
Cook until all components are hot and the cheese has melted together before flipping and pressing the other slice onto it.
14. Honey and Nutella Spread
Honey and Nutella make a classic combination that is perfect for topping Challah bread. Start by heating your favorite nut butter in a pan on the stove until it has melted into a spreadable consistency.
At the same time, warm your favorite honey in a small saucepan until it has become slightly runny. Then, spread the nut butter onto one side of your Challah slice and the honey on the other. Finally, top with a generous helping of Nutella and enjoy.
15. Matzo ball soup
Matzo ball soup is an excellent accompaniment to challah bread. Just like the eggy, braided Jewish loaf, matzo ball soup is traditionally enjoyed during holidays and special occasions.
The flavorful broth pairs well with the hearty richness of the freshly-baked loaf. The trick to a good matzo ball soup is keeping the balls light and tender.
To do this, mix together lightly-beaten eggs, vegetable oil, seltzer water, salt, and matzo meal. Make sure that the ingredients are combined as little as possible for lighter dumplings; overworking will result in dense unfortunately-textured dumplings.
Then bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and gently drop small tablespoons amounts into the boiling liquid for about 15 minutes (or until they’re cooked through). Serve with hot broth or chicken noodle soup alongside fresh challah slices – a guaranteed hit.
Conclusion
In conclusion, challah bread is a delicious and traditional Jewish bread that makes for a great centerpiece for many meals. It can be paired with a variety of side dishes to make any meal more memorable. From roasted mushrooms and gefilte fish to strawberries and cream dip, there are plenty of flavorful and interesting options to choose from. With these 15 best side dishes, you’re sure to find the perfect accompaniment for your challah bread.
