Classic Kosher Potato Kugel Recipe (Pareve)

Written by
Giora Shimoni
A kosher food enthusiast and home cook with hundreds of published recipes, Giora Shimoni has worked in online publishing for over 20 years.
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Giora Shimoni
Updated 05/10/21
Slice of classic potato kugel on a plate

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Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 60 mins
Total: 80 mins
Servings: 10 to 12 servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
134 Calories
4g Fat
19g Carbs
5g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 10 to 12
Amount per serving
Calories 134
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 4g 5%
Saturated Fat 1g 6%
Cholesterol 75mg 25%
Sodium 849mg 37%
Total Carbohydrate 19g 7%
Dietary Fiber 2g 9%
Protein 5g
Calcium 53mg 4%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

This kosher recipe for dairy-free (pareve) potato kugel made with potatoes, onions, and eggs is a classic. It can be eaten with a meat or dairy meal. Potato kugel is a staple Shabbat and holiday dish in Eastern European (Ashkenazi) Jewish cooking. It's sometimes called potato pudding, as kugel is Yiddish for pudding.

The best potato kugels are tender on the inside, crispy on the outside, and make the perfect side dish for roast chicken or brisket. There are lots of delicious variations on the classic potato kugel, some of which include carrots, zucchini, garlic, or a host of other vegetables. Many kugels are made with noodles, e.g., noodle kugel. But for many people, nothing beats a kugel like this one, made simply with russet potatoes, onions, and eggs. Purely vegetarian or vegan options are easy, too.

If you've never had it before, kugel may seem confusing if you've never had it before, because it can be made sweet or savory, leading you to wonder if it's a side dish or dessert (it's the former). Additionally, many enthusiasts will argue it's equally delicious served hot, warm, or cold, but that's up to you. Regardless, this recipe shows potatoes, eggs, and onions at their very best for a satisfying casserole dish.

1:43

Ingredients

  • 8 medium potatoes
  • 2 onions
  • 6 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 heaping tablespoon salt
  • 1/2 to 1 teaspoon pepper
  • Sour cream, for optional garnish
  • Chives, for optional garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for potato kugel
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  2. Heat the oven to 400 F / 200 C. Oil a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking dish.

    Oil a baking dish
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  3. Using a box grater or food processor fitted with a shredding disc, coarsely grate the potatoes and onions.

    Coarsely grated potatoes and onions
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  4. Let stand for 3 to 5 minutes, then place in a colander or clean tea towel and squeeze out any excess liquid.

    Shredded potato draining in a sieve
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  5. In a large bowl, beat together the eggs, oil, flour, salt, and pepper. Set aside.

    Beat the eggs, oil, flour, salt, and pepper
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  6. Add the grated potatoes and onions to the egg-flour mixture. Mix with a large spoon just until smooth.

    Add the grated potatoes and onions to egg mixture
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  7. Pour the kugel batter into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top with a spatula.

    Kugel batter poured into a baking dish
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  8. Bake the kugel, uncovered, in the heated oven for 1 hour, or until golden brown on top. When the kugel is done, a knife inserted in the center should come out clean.

    Kugel baked until it's crispy on top
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  9. Place the baking dish on a rack to cool slightly before cutting into squares to serve.

    Kugel casserole sliced into squares and cooling on a rack
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  10. Serve with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle with chives if desired. Enjoy.

    Serve kugel with sour cream and chives
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How to Store and Freeze Potato Kugel

Potato kugel keeps well in the refrigerator for four to five days, as long as it's covered. You can eat a cold slice right out of the fridge, or reheat it in a 350 F oven, uncovered so the top can crisp, until hot.


Kugel will also freeze well. Wrap it well, and then when you're ready to serve it again, reheat it in a very low oven (about 250 F) for 90 minutes to two hours.