The cooking-ahead-and-freezing life may not work for everyone. Maybe you don’t have a ginormous freezer just waiting to be filled with soups, appetizers, roasts, fish, kugels, and desserts. Maybe you’re a last-minute person by nature, or time just got away from you this year. Whatever the reason, we’re here to help with 35+ winning recipes you can prepare last-minute and still have a beautiful menu to enjoy! 

Savory:

1. Meat on the Fast Track by Chanie Nayman

Cuts of meat that do well with fast cooking include cuts from the rib, and sometimes the shoulder. (The only exception to this is top-of-the-rib roast, which needs to be cooked low and slow.) The first sauce is a gremolata, and it gets spooned over meat, or is eaten alongside it, almost like a relish. The pan sauce is served alongside the meat as well. Take your choice between the two of them!

2. Unrolled Steak Egg Rolls by Michal Frischman

I have nothing against a good patchkeh, but Yom Tov time isn’t when I have the headspace or counter space to make it happen, which is why I make these. They’re easy and delicious, and for those picky eaters who turn their noses up at cabbage, there’s plenty plain wonton crackers.

3. Crispy Fried Cabbage by Rivky Friedman

This crispy fried cabbage recipe is an absolute crowd pleaser. It’s a simple yet absolutely decadent side dish.

4. Autumn Orzo by Sara Goldstein

Pasta salad, autumn edition. It’s always delicious to have little bites of meat in a side dish! In this dish, the spice in the Italian sausage perfectly complements the flavors of butternut squash and dried cherries.

5. Three-Ingredient Olive Dip by Chanie Nayman

Ever since I got into making sourdough, it’s pretty much never served without this dip to go alongside it. I think my kids eat their bread with this dip rather than dip with their bread! Double or triple the recipe, especially for a long Yom Tov.

6. Asian Peanut Chicken Salad by Jamie Geller

A great way to use up leftover chicken in a different way.

7. Best-Ever Carrot Loaf by Rivky Kleiman

This carrot loaf is a winner whether you are preparing in advance or find yourself in a bind and need a quick, no-mess side dish. It yields a perfect loaf every time … and guaranteed you will have no leftovers.

8. Kale and Sweet Potato Sauté by Jill Hillhouse and Lisa Cantkier

The sweet taste of sweet potatoes, the heartiness of kale, and the spice of chili and cumin combine for a delicious side dish that is perfect with grilled chicken, lamb or beef, or with our almond-crusted salmon [recipe in the cookbook]. If there is any left over, top it with some fried or scrambled eggs for a breakfast hash that will keep you going all morning.

9. Farfel from the Nitra Cookbook

This simple poultry or meat side dish couldn’t be easier to stir up.

10. Broccoli Salad by Miriam Zupnik

11. Brach's Famous London Broil by Rivky Kleiman

Brachs in Queens, one of the first kosher superstores in the Tristate area, was renowned for its takeout and especially for its London broil. I am pleased to be able to share this recipe with you, contributed by Mr. Brach’s daughter, Elana.

12. Butternut Squash Fries by Rorie Weisberg

Lightly seasoned, oven-roasted butternut squash spears.

13. Best-Dressed Quinoa Veggie Salad by Brynie Greisman

This salad is outstanding. A medley of quinoa, roasted veggies, and add-ins, with an awesome dressing to bring it all together.

14. Roasted Cauliflower with Dates and Pine Nuts by Elky Friedman

I have a soft spot for this particular siman for three reasons. 1) I love dates; I snack on them all year round. 2) The date was always the siman that got my family to laugh when someone would inevitably make that famous wisecrack: “Yehi Ratzon that ‘so and so’ should get a ‘date’ real quick…” It started with me and moved down to each of my sisters as soon as they were eligible. Every Rosh Hashanah we always had someone new to tease. Now we’re up to my last sister (and may she get a date and be married real speedily)! Reason #3? This side dish. I do know that you all are always looking out for easy, quick and tasty (plus healthy) side dishes for Yom Tov. So here is my date-inspired side. Enjoy!

15. Honey-Mustard Chicken by Leah Schapira

Sometimes I go through recipe phases. I’ll get hooked on one and make it again and again, until a new recipe enters the repertoire for the next couple of months. This is one of the recipes that’s currently a staple in my house. It’s so quick and easy, no wonder I’ve been making it over and over! In the photo, you’ll notice strips of red and yellow peppers. This recipe is so versatile, though, you can use any produce that’s in season or sitting in your vegetable drawer – or none at all! One ingredient you can’t skip, though, is those onions. They get sauteed to the most delicious caramelized goodness that I often add an additional onion to the recipe so peace will reign at my supper table.

16. Rib-Eye Steak by Brynie Greisman

An elegant addition to any Yom Tov seuda. Serve with garlicky mashed potatoes and fresh steamed broccoli. Steak in photo is compliments of Matam Chofetz Chaim, Jerusalem.

17. Broccoli Pastrami Sauté by Chanie Nayman

Broccoli has got to be one of my top ten favorite foods. Even if it’s not yours, I can assure you that this dish will become a favorite at your table.

18. Cauliflower Poppers by Esther Ottensoser

Substitute breaded cauliflower in place of chicken to make these delicious, zesty Cauliflower Poppers!

19. Savory Zucchini Balls by Estee Kafra

You will need big zucchini for this recipe. I used a melon balling tool — the same way as you would a melon. Make sure some of the skin stays on for a colorful effect.

20. Maple-Mustard Salmon by Rivky Kleiman

Quick baked salmon with a delicate blend of flavors that will be enjoyed by all.

21. Savory Chili Basil Chicken by Rivky Kleiman

This elegant chicken is easy enough to prepare as a dinner, yet elegant enough to grace a Shabbos table, as well. The unique combination of ingredients is not only very tasty but also easy to prepare with ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen.

22. Shredded Kani Salmon by Estee Kafra

Kani and salmon: a winning combination! Beautiful presentation that calls for little work and great taste. My kind of recipe.

23. Beer Brisket by Rivky Kleiman

Posed with a beer challenge, my initial feeling was to come up with a good brisket recipe, as nothing is as tenderizing to a brisket as some beer. I played around with some of my favorite ingredients until it was right. I hope you enjoy as much as we did.

24. Savory Flanken from the Dining In Cookbook

This delicious, easy main dish is wonderful for Yom Tov or any special occasion.

25. Soft and Savory Chuck Roast by Chanie Nayman

The slow treatment of this meat makes it incredibly soft and tender. If the fork does not go through the meat easily, leave it in, tightly covered, till fork tender.

26. Green Trio and Duck Fry Sauté by Rivky Kleiman

This new dish was an instant hit. Young and old kept taking one more taste just for “quality control”….

27. Pastrami Bruschetta by Chana Schapiro

This is just the perfect appetizer to start off a meal. Whenever I’m in doubt what to start my supper with, I always go back to this recipe since it’s so good and everyone likes it!

28. Lychee Lime Fish Skewers by Michal Frischman

Chanie and I were strolling around Breadberry’s awesome produce section this summer when we both were totally sidetracked from our riveting conversation by some gorgeous lychees, which inspired the marinade below. Even canned, the lychees impart a super light and fresh flavor, a perfect starter to a heavy Yom Tov meal. This is a new favorite!

29. Succulent Chicken with Squash by Ashira Mirsky

This chicken dish is a whole meal in a pan! Great for Shabbos, Sukkos, or Yom Tov.

30. Sweet and Tangy Spare Ribs by Renee Muller

A friend once called me, asking for a meat recipe. “It has to be amazingly good and incredibly easy,” she said. “I’m kidding,” she then added, but I knew she really wasn’t. And I had just the thing. Whenever I meet her husband, he makes sure to thank me, AGAIN, for “those awesome ribs.” Where does it say that great dishes have to be long, hard, and complicated?

31. Savory Pickled Dark Turkey Roast by Rivky Kleiman

Fact… my family’s preference is always beef. Fact… there were no leftovers. Need I say more?

Sweet:

32. Apples and Honey Danish Braid by Yocheved Shvarzblat

Sweetened flaky dough on the outside, loaded with juicy caramelized apples on the inside. So much goodness in every bite!

33. Cinnamon Maple Peach Crisp by Rivky Friedman

This recipe needs no intro. Just make it. It’s peachy perfection!

34. Blueberry Bars by Family Table

35. Cookie Dough Fudge Pie by Miriam (Pascal) Cohen

This delicious pie, and its enormous popularity with thousands and thousands of readers, is the ultimate proof that there’s a little kid inside us all, a kid who appreciates the simple pleasures of our childhood. Things like a rich, fudgy pie. Things like chocolate chip cookie dough and fudgy chocolate, straight from the mixer. This might not be the most sophisticated dessert, but it’s a guaranteed crowd pleaser!

36. Apple Crumb Squares by Zehava Krohn

Some people enjoy a sweet side dish, and others, like myself, think that these totally belong in the dessert course. Mini apple crumb pies would be very time-consuming. These squares taste exactly the same, with much less prep time.

37. Fruity Fruit Soup from the Dining In Cookbook

A slightly different, very berry fruit soup.

38. Strawberry-Rhubarb-Apple Compote from the Dining In Cookbook

This compote, which calls for frozen fruit, will bring you a taste of summer no matter what the weather outside is like.

39. Refreshing Fruit Soup by Brynie Greisman

This recipe is convenient all year round as it uses canned fruit, as opposed to fresh.

40. 3-Ingredient Cookie Butter Snaps by Reva (Blander) Yaffe

So I know the rave about cookie butter has died down, but I love that stuff. Okay maybe not the healthiest, but once in a while… Anyway I wanted to come up with a cookie that has cookie butter. I figured that 3-ingredient peanut butter cookies work so what if I try the same concept but with cookie butter…SCORE! The cookie came out thinner then the peanut butter cookie did and it kinda reminded me of a ginger snap cookie. But cookie butter. So yum. Nuf said, so here’s the recipe and you can thank me later.

41. Warm Vanilla Apple Cobbler by Rivky Kleiman

This apple cobbler will attest that not all apple crisps are created equal!

42. Chocolate-Peanut-Butter Pie by Brynie Greisman

This pie takes about 5 minutes to make and is very rich and luscious. I made it for Succos and everyone adored it. Chocolate and peanut butter are always a winning combo, and one of my favorites, unfortunately! The photographer thought it was heavenly!!!! A sliver of this satisfies anyone’s sweet tooth.

43. Baked Pears with Honey and Cinnamon by Raizy Fried

Bosc pears; they are so delicate & versatile. What I like most about the following recipe is its simplicity. This recipe pleasantly proves you can offer guests an elegant (and affordable) dessert with little fuss. Here’s a recipe to add to your go-to list: easy enough to pull off for a Tuesday night dinner but special enough to serve to guests. This impressive dessert is a hit at my house. It’s fast, easy, and delicious! Most of all, I love the rustic look of this dessert.

44. Simple No-Mixer Streusel Cake by Sara Wassserman

This cake is simple to prepare and divine with a cup of coffee.

45. Chocolate Toffee Bars by Shani Malka

Originally published October 2019. Updated and improved October 2025.