Latkes are potatoes that have been shredded and deep-fried. They are fluffy and soft on the inside and wonderfully crispy on the outside. As far as comfort food goes, they are easily up there with the very best.
Interestingly though, latkes started as something else. When they were first made, latkes were deep-fried ricotta cheese.
As tasty as this dish was, we definitely prefer this version of a Hanukkah staple. It is much more versatile in the way we can use it with a huge range of ingredients.
In fact, in terms of toppings and side dishes, the possibilities are virtually endless. Today, we want to show you just how versatile latkes can be.
To do so, we’ve put together a list of the very best things you can serve with latkes. We’ve included the best toppings and side dishes, so stick around if you’re looking for something yummy.
1. Coleslaw
Coleslaw is by far one of the best and easiest latke sides we can make. Thrown together in a matter of minutes, this side dish is healthy, vibrant, rich, creamy, and delicious.
Ready to eat in 15 minutes or less, coleslaw requires no cooking. The list of ingredients you need isn’t too long either. This particular recipe calls for 9 different ingredients.
This includes cabbage, onion, carrots, coriander, Dijon mustard, and mayonnaise.
To make this coleslaw extra creamy, a generous serving of sour cream or yogurt is mixed in too.
2. Green Salad
Another super simple side that accompanies latkes brilliantly is a green salad. Perfect for a family dinner or party, green salad is full of nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants. Of course, it’s also very tasty.
The greatest thing about green salad is that we can use any ingredients we like. If you have any leftover veggies in your kitchen, throw them in. We find that onions, leafy greens, red onions, and tomatoes are the best choices.
Don’t forget to make a sweet and tangy dressing to go with your green salad.
3. Crispy Chicken Cutlet
Taking things up a level now, we have an amazing crispy chicken cutlet recipe for you next. Crispy chicken cutlets make a filling side dish that will keep your guests happy.
The chicken cutlets are thinly sliced and covered in parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs.
Once cooked, they are crispy, golden, tender, and full of flavor. In all honesty, it feels like the latkes would be the side dish to these chicken cutlets.
4. Beef Stew
Something as savory and crispy as latkes need a side dish that is rich, sweet, and meaty. This beef stew recipe from Once Upon A Chef is absolutely perfect.
Perfect for a cold winter’s evening, beef stew is comforting, hearty, hot, and actually quite healthy. This recipe loads the stew with juicy, tender beef, and an array of vegetables. The stew is then soaked in a rich wine sauce for immense flavor.
5. Carrot Soup
The next recipe on our list is another comforting side dish that will warm you up in the winter. This time we have a beautiful carrot soup.
This roasted carrot soup is both sweet and creamy. This makes it a great accompaniment to the savory flavors of the latkes. We personally enjoy dipping our latke in the soup to combine the flavors perfectly.
Roasting the carrots works wonders as it adds extra sweetness and a subtle charred flavor.
6. Hummus
It could be argued that hummus is a topping, however, we prefer to serve it alongside our latkes. We do this because it makes a great party piece.
Simply give your guests a plate of latke, some homemade hummus, and maybe some olives, and let them enjoy themselves.
Smooth, rich, and slightly spicy, hummus is actually very easy to make. All you need are chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, olive oil, water, and paprika.
The Best Latke Toppings
We’ll now move on to look at some of the best toppings we can serve with latkes!
7. Smoked Salmon And Sour Cream
The first topping on this list is salmon and sour cream. Aside from looking absolutely fantastic, this topping is delicious.
The fresh salmon combined with the sour cream tastes incredible. Spread on top of your latkes and things only get better.
The combination of textures and flavors is phenomenal. To add more flavor, chives are added to the sour cream too.
All you need to make this topping is sour cream, smoked salmon, and chives.
8. Poached Egg
If you’re making your latkes for breakfast, we personally can’t think of a better topping than a poached egg. The satisfying feeling we get watching the warm gooey yolk oozing out the eggs when we cut into them is a great thing to wake up to.
A great thing about this pairing is that the latkes catch the yolk. This ensures every drop of goodness is eaten.
You can make the most amazing poached eggs in less than 10 minutes by following this recipe.
9. Applesauce
Next up, we have a super simple, seriously sweet topping idea that will satisfy any sweet craving you might have. Perfect for those of you looking for a sweet option, this applesauce recipe is quick and easy to make, and very tasty.
The only ingredients you need to make this applesauce are apples, water, and lemon juice. If you prefer things insanely sweet, you can add some syrup too.
Easily made in less than 30 minutes, this applesauce complements the savory flavors of the latkes perfectly.
10. Caramelized Onions
If you like your latkes with something sweet, but still want to keep a more savory flavor, you could use caramelized onions as a topping instead.
Caramelized onions are golden brown in color, rich in flavor, and beautifully sweet without being overpowering. They not only add sweetness to latkes but also a nice complexity that you’ll enjoy.
All you need to make caramelized onions are onions, cooking oil, and salt.
11. Sauerkraut
For those that aren’t sure what sauerkraut is, let us explain. Sauerkraut is a fermented cabbage dish that has a strong tangy flavor. It is primarily served with brats or stuffed into a sandwich.
In our case, it is a topping for our latkes. Aside from offering a more unique flavor, sauerkraut is an easy topping we can make before using time and time again.
We can use sauerkraut over a couple of months before having to make a fresh batch.
Sauerkraut is made with cabbage, caraway seeds, and salt.
12. Tzatziki
Tzatziki is usually served with Greek gyros and pita bread. It is refreshing, tangy, creamy, and rich. Thanks to its refreshing flavor, it makes an excellent topping for latkes too.
The savory flavor of the potato goes beautifully with the refreshing flavor of the tzatziki. Tzatziki is so refreshing because it contains fresh Greek yogurt and cucumbers. These two ingredients cut through the greasiness of the latkes with ease.
The addition of mint in the dip livens things up a bit too.
13. Pumpkin Butter
The final latke topping on our list is a festive pumpkin butter topping. This topping is perfect for you if you want to combine savory flavors with sweet and spicy flavors.
Pumpkin butter plays into the sweeter side of things but is primarily spiced. This spiced flavor offers something a bit more unique and exciting.
To create this spiced flavor, the pumpkin butter is seasoned with nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon.
What Are Some Delicious Side Dishes to Serve With Grilled Cheese?
Looking for amazing side dishes for grilled cheese to take your sandwich game to the next level? Consider a fresh tomato soup that complements the ooey-gooey cheese perfectly. Or how about a crispy Caesar salad with its tangy dressing and crunchy croutons? For a hint of sweetness, try serving your grilled cheese with a refreshing fruit salad. These delectable combinations will surely elevate your grilled cheese experience to new heights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally speaking, most meats go fantastically well with latkes. However, if we had to choose the best, we’d probably go with beef, roast chicken, and salmon.
Potato cakes and latkes are very similar, however, there are differences.
Whilst both types of potato dishes are made out of eggs and potatoes, latkes include baking powder and milk too. Unlike potato pancakes, they also contain a matzo meal.
The word latke comes from a Russian word that means “little pancake”. The word is officially used in the Yiddish language but is derived from the Russian language. In Yiddish, the word latke still means “little pancake”
Final Thoughts
Thanks to the versatility of latkes, this crispy potato food goes with almost anything. We can use vegetables, meats, fish, fruits, and dips to enhance the flavors of the latke and create ridiculously good dishes.
Whether you’re planning on making latkes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or as a snack, we’ve provided you with plenty of delicious toppings and sides you can make quickly and easily.
You should now have all the inspiration you need to make something tasty. Having said that, narrowing this list down could be tough as every recipe we’ve looked at tastes pretty great.
The Best Things You Can Serve With Latkes
Are you looking for the best things to serve with latkes? If so, you’re in the right place. In this post, we look at the best latke toppings and side dishes.
Ingredients
Directions
- Pick a recipe from above
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- Collect the ingredients and the food
- Enjoy – don’t forget to leave a review
Recipe Video
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