14 Traditional Recipes for Your Purim Feast (2024)

Purim tells the story of Esther, a Jewish woman forced to marry King Achashverosh, her uncle Mordechai who stood up for the Jews, and Haman, the power-hungry villain. Hamantaschen, the triangle cookies with fruit, chocolate, or poppy seed fillings, are a must on Purim (but delicious any time of year). You can also enjoy other Jewish classics like challah and brisket. Be sure to pair your dishes with a glass (or two or three) of wine: It's customary to get a bit tipsy on Purim to celebrate Mordechai's triumph at the end of the story. Browse these traditional foods to eat on Purim for a complete — and delicious — feast.

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Munn Cookies

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Munn is the Yiddish word for poppy seeds, a classic filling for hamantaschen. Here they flavor thin, crisp sugar cookies — the perfect treat with a cup of tea. "This recipe is a keeper!" says K-Bella.

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Onion Poppy Seed Ring

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This braided challah ring uses poppy seeds, a tradition at Purim, in a savory onion filling. "Everyone loves it and really looks forward to me making it every year," says Peggy Cooper Cahill.

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Hamantashen

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Triangle-shaped cookies look like the three-corner hat worn by Haman, the villain of the Purim story. Fill these with traditional poppy seed filling, or try one of creator Sandi's suggestions like canned pie filling, fruit jams, or chocolate chips.

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Hamantashen II

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Oil replaces butter for a more traditional hamantashen cookie (no dairy makes them a kosher dessert for meals that include meat). "They taste like the ones I remember eating from a bakery when I was a kid," says Kerri.

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Cheese Filled Triangles

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All triangle foods are welcome at Purim to symbolize the hat worn by Haman, the story's villain. These phyllo triangles are filled with spinach, feta, and cottage cheese. "Great elegant crowd pleaser," says yokidneybean.

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Wine-Braised Beef Brisket

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The Purim story ends with the hero, Mordechai, telling the Jewish people to drink and rejoice; the holiday is still celebrated with drinking. Brisket, a Jewish classic, is braised in red wine for a pitch perfect addition to your Purim feast.

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Cornish Game Hens with Garlic and Rosemary

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Eat like the king of the Purim story, Achashverosh, with rosemary and garlic roasted Cornish game hens. Each person gets their own bird in this recipe. "It was absolutely wonderful," says Shannon Green.

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Easy Hamantaschen

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Who says hamantaschen are all about the filling? Orange juice and vanilla extract brighten the dough here, and go well with whatever filling you choose. "Easy to make, rolled out well, and tasted good," says Stacy.

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Mediterranean Lentil Salad

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Serve this meatless salad in honor of Esther, the Purim heroine who was also a vegetarian. It gets lots of crunch from carrots and celery and zing from a fresh lemon vinaigrette. "Color, texture, and flavor are all wonderful," says Annaid.

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Vegetarian Kale Soup

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Enjoy a bowl of this hearty white bean soup in honor of Esther, the Purim heroine who was a vegetarian in the king's palace. It's designed for a crowd, but leftovers taste even better the next day. "Five stars without a doubt!" says Brownbaker.

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Great-Grandmother Bubbie's Hamantaschen

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You can't argue with a three-generations-old recipe. A homemade apricot, prune, and walnut filling sets these hamantaschen apart from the rest. "I have made and recommended this recipe more times than I can count," says Miriam Hirschman.

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Miriam's Not-So-Secret Challah

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Braided challah has a special meaning at Purim: it is a symbol of the rope used to hang Haman, the story's villain. Eggs and sugar add richness while a long rise gives it a light-as-air texture. "It came out perfectly... I feel like a pro!" says Cynthia Raye.

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Heavenly Lamb Shanks

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For a main that's fit for a meal in King Achashverosh's court, these lamb shanks are a wow-worthy addition. A low and slow braise makes them fall-off-the-bone tender. "Heavenly is the right word for it," says Jenna. "I wouldn't change a thing."

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Sean's Falafel and Cucumber Sauce

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Since the story of Purim is set in Jerusalem and it's heroine, Esther, ate lots of chickpeas as a vegetarian, it makes perfect sense to add Israeli falafel to your holiday menu. These fried chickpea patties got raves from nearly 1,000 reviewers.

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How to Make Hamantaschen

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Check out our How to Make Hamantaschen guide to learn all the tips and hints that'll lead to sweet success no matter which hamantaschen recipe you try!

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More for Purim

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Check out our entire Purim recipe collection for loads more sweet and savory ideas.