We’ve made it easy for you to get a headstart on building the menu that suits your family.
We’ve featured lots of different types of menus on Between Carpools over the years, and our readers are always appreciative.
But we asked ourselves, “How can we do it better?” Menu making is one of the hardest tasks! So, how can we make it easier for our readings to build their menus?
There are so many variables in making a menu. Flavors need to work together–sometimes, you can take lots of dishes you like, but together, they’re just not in sync. There are other ways that menus can go wrong. A menu works well if there’s a minimal amount of things that need to be done at the last minute–it’s ok to do some things fresh, but not too much! Plus, there’s the family-friendly factor. After all, kids need to eat too.
We’ve built these menus so it’s easy to add and subtract. Subtract a course if it’s just a small crowd and you know they won’t be that hungry, or add an extra main and side (or more) if you’re having guests. They’re the foundations you can use to inspire your menu and simply make it easier to plan.
Cream of Chicken Soup + Meat Pizza + Chantzy’s Cowboy Steaks (Best of Kosher) + Cipollini Onions
You can stretch your cowboy steaks by filling them up first with a substantial soup and a meaty starter.
White Soup + Silan Sweet Potato Salad + Maple Bourbon Back Ribs + Crumb Bar Ice Cream Cups.
A hearty meal, finished with a light refreshing dessert. Back ribs are a great value in meat. Bake them slow until they’re super soft and they’re comparable to more expensive meats.
Balsamic Dill Salmon + Califlower Soup + Baby Back Ribs + Apple Crumble
This is a great traditional menu, with a fish appetizer, soup and main and dessert. Click here for side dish options that will compliment this menu.
Butternut & Lentil Soup + Roasted Veggie Chummus Platter + Lamb Arayes + Kanafe Ice Cream
Add fresh pita, a main meat, and perhaps Dinner Done’s Syrian Nachos. Sub 1 pound ground lamb for the salmon.
Mini Deli Wraps + Hasselback Salami (Best of Kosher) + Pesto Chicken Caesar Salad + Crock-Pot Corned Beef
This is the perfect lighter Yom Tov lunch. Enjoy flavorful light dishes to start then bring out the hot meat. The corned beef is work-free and cooks to perfection in the Crock-Pot. Having company? Add a charcuterie platter with more items than just the salami and you’re completely set.
Steak Sandwiches + Hot Dog Burnt Ends + Guacamole and Chips + Homemade or Fresh Store-Bought Slaw
Often, it’s the simpler family-friendly meals that are the best. This is great for a second night of Yom Tov when you don’t want to wait long for food to warm up. Marinate in advance and grill the meat quickly on your grill pan and serve in challah rolls. Add French fries with a gourmet dip instead of ketchup. You can even serve them like we did in this post.
Rainbow Quinoa Salad + Pulled Beef Tacos + Mike’s Chicken + Sweet + Tangy Pastrami
There’s something for everyone here! This meal will look beautiful to start, then you bring out the favorite mains. For tips on using less expensive cuts of meat for your pulled beef, see this post.
Heart and Comforting Chunky Butternut Squash Soup + Entree Braised Beef + Lamb Riblets + Roasted Veggies
When you’re having company and want a second main, lamb riblets are a great choice because they’re gourmet but really well-priced. Add a green leafy salad and a grain if you need more sides.
Pomegranate Salmon + Yemenite Beef Soup + Silan Sweet Potato Salad + Minute Roast
Chummus with Garlic Confit + Traditional Chicken Soup with Kreplach + Garlic Confit Rice + Pollo alla Cacciatora
This is the perfect meal to serve at night, when meals can be late at times, and some want a lighter protein, and familiar foods
Hearty Minestrone Soup with Meatballs + Herb and Garlic Roasted Chicken + Fancy Rice+ Family Table’s Peanut Butter Chocolate Decadence Dessert
Start the meal with a filling soup. Then this great chicken option. Bright and definitely not boring. The rice is fantastic because it freezes well. You prepare a large recipe and divide it into smaller containers and freeze. This dessert is so delicious and so fun, the type of dessert that brings the kids back to the table.
Gnocchi with Short Rib Ragout + Mrs. Orts Crunchy Cabbage Salad + Shiitake Ribs + Cauliflower Mash
I like to serve this memorable gnocchi dish with a nice slaw to balance it off. It’s our family’s favorite appetizer of all time. For the main, I like to pair a special main like the Shitake Ribs over an easy Cauliflower Mash.
Sushi Side Of Salmon + Sushi Rice in the Oven + Mongolian Beef + Israeli Parsley Celery Salad (Best of Kosher)
Serve the salmon as a starter. It’s a course that will be enjoyed by all. Serve as a side of salmon or plated individually. For the main, serve the sushi rice topped with the beef (easiest way! Prepare on Yom Tov!) Prepare the rice once and use twice. The Israel Parsley Celery Salad by Susie Fishbein goes well with heavier meats.
Steak Milanese + Confit Rice + Corn Riblets + Crumbs and Coulis
This steak recipe is a hidden gem! Once you have a special main, your meal is complete with a couple of great sides. Of course, ending with our favorite dessert doesn’t hurt.
Beer Braised Ribs + Green Beans (from Dinner Done) + Maple Glazed Chicken (Dinner Done) + Apple Crumb Galette
Serve the Beer Ribs over mashed potatoes (perfect together). This meal is easy to pull off but so complete!
Shredded Beef Egg Rolls + Crispy Chicken (Dinner Done) + Roasted Vegetable Rice + Cabbage Rounds (Best of Kosher)
Use any leftover shredded beef inside your egg rolls. The egg rolls, crispy chicken can both be fried and then reheated (see how to reheat fried food post) After frying the crispy chicken, let it cool down completely, then place in a ziplock bag. When ready to serve, let defrost on a pan in a single layer and then reheat for 10 minutes or just until it’s warmed through (to maintain crispiness). Reheat sauce separately and serve.
Chicken Wontons + Rib Steaks (Dinner Done) + Onion Strings – + Honey Red Potatoes
We can’t have a Yom Tov without having Susie Fishbein’s staple Chicken Wontons. Most years we prep them and freeze them raw. However many people fry them in advance too and just heat them up for a few minutes.
Flanken Roast with Shallot Sauce + Mike’s Chicken + Roasted Potatoes + 9×13 Cauliflower Mash
This feels like the type of real-life Yom Tov menu that pleases everyone. Great meat, everyone’s favorite chicken (kids are happy), and the starchy and healthy sides.
Tangy Asian Chicken Fingers + Scallion and Sesame Cauliflower Over Rice + Frozen Raspberry Crumb Dessert
If your family are the “just schnitzel” type, this is the Yom Tov meal for you. Serve it with plain rice for those picky eaters.
Butternut Squash Soup with homemade croutons + Hickory French Roast + Shabbos Potatoes + Crunchy Kohlrabi Salad.
This meal is a great second-night meal because it can all be prepped ahead and easily rewarmed. The cold, crunchy salad balances the richer flavors and textures of the meat and potatoes.
Apple Fennel Slaw topped with sliced raw Salmon + Onion Chicken + French Roast “Ribs” + White Rice + Mango Salsa
A light fish appetizer course followed by a main with meat and chicken options to make everyone happy.
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