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Home » Main Dishes » 40+ of the best make-ahead recipes for easy Shavuot entertaining

40+ of the best make-ahead recipes for easy Shavuot entertaining

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Make light work of Shavuot entertaining with a handy pick-and-mix menu planner! Choose from over 40 easy Shavuot recipes for delicious prepare-ahead main dishes, salads and desserts, including fish, vegetarian and vegan options.

Shavuot entertaining - bunting flags fluttering.

In case you hadn’t noticed, Shavuot is approaching! I love to entertain on YomTov, but when we have guests here I hate to spend all my time in the kitchen. After all, we didn’t invite people over only to see DH and Kipper! 

It’s an easy trap to fall into. So many special occasion recipes need to be finished, organised or garnished at the last moment. As our guests talk among themselves or catch up on news, I’m stuck in the kitchen, arranging sprigs of herbs or drizzling sauces into decorative swirls, so I miss all the gossip. It’s the one big downside of YomTov entertaining, on Shavuot or at any other time.

On this page...

  • Changing the Shavuot menu
  • Shavuot recipes – choose your dishes
  • Summer dining
  • Shavuot recipes – Pick-and-Mix!
  • Fish dishes 
  • Main dishes – vegetarian and vegan
  • Salads and side dishes
  • Desserts

Changing the Shavuot menu

Over the years, I’ve gradually moved away from individually plated, ‘restaurant style’ dishes and towards Shavuot recipes which are just as delicious, but enable me to actually spend some time with our guests! These have tended to be things which can be prepared ahead and either served cold or reheated, and which are carried to the table in generous bowls and platters from which guests can help themselves.

vegetarian nicoise salad from Tin and Thyme.

These family-style festive meals work really well for us, because I can spend most of the meal actually at the table. And of course it’s still possible to make the food look gorgeous – I just don’t have to spend ages making it look gorgeous 8 or 12 individual times – I can just do it once for everyone to share.

Shavuot recipes – choose your dishes

The kinds of Shavuot recipes that work well for this style of entertaining tend to be things like:

  • exuberant fresh salads
  • generously loaded platters of fresh or smoked fishes (or both)
  • richly filled pies and quiches
  • buttery pastries and flaky bourekas
  • bright seasonal vegetable dishes
  • luscious dips
  • cheese boards
  • artisan or homemade breads and muffins

You get the idea!

Savoury carrot tart from Renana's Kitchen.

Personally, all of the above sounds to me like an absolutely perfect Shavuot meal. Our Shavuot entertaining has been revolutionised!

Summer dining

At this time of the year, fresh seasonal vegetables and salads are at their best. The weather is warm – often hot! – so dishes that are prepared ahead and served cold are ideal. We often end up doing our Shavuot entertaining in our garden, and sitting in the sunshine at a table laid with a colourful and inviting smorgasbord makes me very happy indeed!

Table laid outdoors with flowers etc. Make light work of Shavuot entertaining with a handy pick-and-mix menu planner! Easy recipes for delicious prepare-ahead main dishes, salads and desserts.

Shavuot recipes – Pick-and-Mix!

To help you plan your Shavuot entertaining – or small-scale family YomTov meals come to that – I’ve put together a pick-and-mix collection of prepare-ahead dishes that can be combined to create your perfect menu. Simply select one or two of these Shavuot recipes for main dishes, a few salads and sides, and maybe a dessert, and you’re all set!

Shavuot cooking has never been easier!

40+ Delicious and Easy Shavuot Recipes, including fish, vegan, vegetarian, sides, salads and desserts.

If you want deliciously easy, family-friendly recipes like these delivered straight to your inbox, simply click here to subscribe. (Of course, I’ll never pass on your email address to anyone.)

Fish dishes 

Delicious recipes using fish to create stunning YomTov worthy dishes.

Chopped and fried gefilte fish balls
Delicious, home made 'chopped and fried' fish. Easy, tasty, and so much better than shop bought!
Check out this recipe
fried gefilte fish balls.
Smoked salmon dauphinoise
Smoked salmon, sliced potatoes and cream combine to make this easy, tasty and thoroughly luxurious smoked salmon dauphinoise.
Check out this recipe
Dish of dauphinoise potatoes seen from overhead, with wooden spatula and linen cloth.
Salmon topped with pine nuts, rosemary and orange
Moist, buttery salmon luxuriates under a golden crust of pine nuts, seasoned with rosemary and orange zest. Quick, easy and impressive!
Check out this recipe
salmon with pine nut crust.
Scottish Smoked Salmon & Asparagus Tart | Farmersgirl Kitchen
Scottish Smoked Salmon and Asparagus Tart is a delicious combination of smoked salmon, soured cream egg custard, and fresh asparagus spears.
Check out this recipe
Scottish Smoked Salmon & Asparagus Tart | Farmersgirl Kitchen
Tuna and Brown Rice Salad with Olives, Feta Cheese and Orange from Ronnie Fein
Tangy, sweet, earthy and delicious – this salad has it all. Use fresh tuna for a spectacular result.
Check out this recipe
Tuna and Brown Rice Salad with Olives, Feta Cheese and Orange from Ronnie Fein

Main dishes – vegetarian and vegan

Wonderful Shavuot recipes using fresh seasonal vegetables to create showstopper main dishes.

Asparagus Tarts with a Pesto Surprise from Tin and Thyme
Asparagus tarts made with nutty wholemeal pastry, a secret pesto layer, asparagus & egg. Delicious hot or cold & ideal for picnics.
Check out this recipe
Asparagus Tarts with a Pesto Surprise from Tin and Thyme
Pesto and bulgur wheat stuffed aubergines (vegetarian)
Vegetarian stuffed aubergines with a rich, pesto-infused bulgur wheat filling topped with golden melty cheese. A favourite family dinner.
Check out this recipe
Vegetarian stuffed aubergines with bulgar wheat and pesto.
Creamy courgette puff pastry tart
Layers of tender courgette (zucchini) slices top this delicious puff pastry tart. Easy to make and full of flavour! Serve with salad for a quick family meal.
Check out this recipe
Creamy courgette tart.
Bulgur wheat stuffed courgettes (zucchini) with pine nuts
A delicious make-ahead vegan dish. Nutty and packed with flavour, these bulgur stuffed courgettes are a family favourite.
Check out this recipe
Vegan stuffed courgettes with bulgar wheat and pine nuts.
Cheeseboard & Chutney Quiche from Kavey Eats
A delicious creamy quiche made with a variety of cheeses.
Check out this recipe
Cheeseboard & Chutney Quiche from Kavey Eats
Easy Spanish Tortilla With New Potatoes from Tin and Thyme
An easy Spanish tortilla – with less fat and less mess. Made with new potatoes and slow cooked onions, it’s utterly delicious.
Check out this recipe
Easy Spanish Tortilla With New Potatoes from Tin and Thyme
Feta, Pepper and Courgette Filo Pie from Baking Queen 74
Lighter than a quiche or tart, this feta, pepper and courgette filo pie is filled with colourful vegetables.
Check out this recipe
Feta, Pepper and Courgette Filo Pie from Baking Queen 74
Herbed Feta Cheese with Sundried Tomatoes and Olives from Ronnie Fein
A gorgeous hunk of feta cheese, scattered with sundried tomatoes and olives, seasoned with herbs and sprinkled with a drizzle of olive oil.
Check out this recipe
Herbed Feta Cheese with Sundried Tomatoes and Olives from Ronnie Fein
Savory Vegetable Tart from Renana’s Kitchen
Carrots in different colours, parsnips, beet and zucchini create a beautiful colourful look in this tasty tart.
Check out this recipe
Savory Vegetable Tart from Renana's Kitchen
Sweet Potato Frittata with Asparagus from Veggie Desserts
Enjoy this tasty, easy sweet potato frittata for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner! Ready in just 20 minutes it’s a great weeknight family dinner.
Check out this recipe
Sweet Potato Frittata with Asparagus from Veggie Desserts
Tofu Spring Rolls from Renana’s Kitchen
Tofu spring rolls are what you need this year, and don’t let the name put you off! It is super tasty, I promise.
Check out this recipe
Tofu Spring Rolls from Renana's Kitchen
Tomato Galette from Renana’s Kitchen
There are many kinds of galette and this one is savory. The galette has a rustic look and you do not need to be a fancy chef to create it.
Check out this recipe
Tomato Galette from Renana's Kitchen

Salads and side dishes

Fresh, vibrant and delicious recipes for side dishes that will round out and complete a wonderful Shavuot meal.

Pea and bean salad with radishes and dill
A fresh and delicious pea and bean salad with radishes, spring onions (scallions), fresh dill, lemon juice and olive oil.
Check out this recipe
A white china bowl of pea and bean salad, with a silver spoon on the right, and two wedges of lemon.
Freekeh salad with pomegranate and herbs
A delicious grainy salad made with freekeh, pomegranate seeds, mint, chives and parsley.
Check out this recipe
Overhead image of a plate of freekeh salad with pomegranate seeds, garnished with purple chive flowers, mint leaves and lemon slices, on a purple cloth.
Sesame green bean salad
Crunchy sesame seeds and a sweet, spicy Asian-inspired dressing give this delicious green bean salad the wow factor! Simple and delicious, this healthy dish is packed with vitamins and minerals.
Check out this recipe
Plate of sesame green bean salad.
Classic carrot salad
Crunchy, fresh and delicious, classic French-style carrot salad transforms a few simple ingredients into a sophisticated side dish or starter.
Check out this recipe
French carrot salad.
Curried potato and egg salad (Coronation potato salad)
Baby potatoes and hard boiled eggs are bound in a sweet and spicy, creamy dressing. Delicious!
Check out this recipe
Garlic & Basil Rolls from Renana’s Kitchen
These garlic basil buns are great with a dairy meal and everyone always asks for more. The recipe is easy and the outcome delicious.
Check out this recipe
Garlic & Basil Rolls from Renana's Kitchen
Green Pear Salad from Renana’s Kitchen
Quick and healthy – but still insanely tasty salad. Salad for dinner is always a nice alternative, especially in the heat of summer.
Check out this recipe
Green Pear Salad from Renana's Kitchen
Giant couscous salad with fresh herbs & nuts
A fabulous salad made with Israeli giant couscous, lots of fresh herbs, and a zesty lemony dressing. Salty roasted nuts add cruch and texture.
Check out this recipe
couscous salad
Roasted vegetable and barley salad with creamy tahini dressing
Deliciously savoury roasted vegetables and nutty pearl barley, dressed with a creamy and delicious tahini sauce.
Check out this recipe
roasted veg & barley salad
Shaved Zucchini Salad with Feta & Goat Cheese from Kosher Like Me
This salad is full of fresh flavours.
Check out this recipe
Shaved Zucchini Salad with Feta & Goat Cheese from Kosher Like Me
Vegetarian Salade Niçoise: Savoury Summer on a Plate from Tin and Thyme
A vegetarian early summer version of the classic French salade Niçoise. A hearty & delicious dish with a good variety of flavours & textures.
Check out this recipe
Vegetarian Salade Niçoise: Savoury Summer on a Plate from Tin and Thyme

Desserts

Delicious desserts! Classic Shavuot recipes that feature dairy products like cream, cheese and yogurt, as well as stunning vegan options and fruity summer favourites.

Cheese blintz crepe cake
Lacy golden crepes are stacked with a delicious cream cheese filling to create this beautiful and delicious cheese blintz crepe cake.
Check out this recipe
Traditional cheese blintzes are given a makeover & assembled into this beautiful & delicious crepe cake. Perfect with fresh fruit for a springtime dessert.
Cookie Cheesecake Parfait with Berries from Veggie Desserts
A cheesecake parfait is a quick and easy dessert. I’ve made it extra special with cookie crumbs and frozen berries, and a lighter cheesecake filling.
Check out this recipe
Cookie Cheesecake Parfait with Berries from Veggie Desserts
Strawberry cheesecake flan
A fluffy vanilla sponge cake base filled with creamy cheesecake filling and topped with ripe juicy strawberries.
Check out this recipe
On overhead image of a strawberry cheesecake flan on a white plate, on a red tablecloth. To the right, a white napkin and a cake server. To the left, plates and forks.
Baked gooseberry and elderflower custards
Fresh & delicious gooseberry and elderflower custards are studded with tangy, juicy and delicious berries for a simple & sweet summer dessert.
Check out this recipe
Baked gooseberry and elderflower custards on a plate.
Blueberry Yogurt Pie from Ronnie Fein
This gorgeous pie is full of delicious blueberry flavour and tangy yogurt.
Check out this recipe
Blueberry Yogurt Pie from Ronnie Fein
Triple berry mini cheesecakes
Fruity berry cheesecake topped by a plain cheesecake layer and decorated with berry syrup swirls. These cute and easy mini cheesecakes are just divine!
Check out this recipe
A plate of mini cheesecakes with swirly berry topping.
Goats cheese strudel with baklava inspired flavours
A tangy-sweet goats cheese strudel, with crisp layers of buttery filo pastry, a luscious creamy filling, and cinnamon, walnuts & pistachios for a hint of Eastern flair.
Check out this recipe
Goats cheese strudel.
Rhubarb & Orange Fool from Farmersgirl Kitchen
Creamy Rhubarb & Orange Fool is a traditional British summer dessert. A sweet rhubarb and orange puree is folded into thick whipped cream for a simple and delightful dessert.
Check out this recipe
Rhubarb & Orange Fool from Farmersgirl Kitchen
Vegan panna cotta with roasted rhubarb
This light, creamy and delicious vegan panna cotta is simplicity to make! An impressive dessert served with vibrant seaonal rhubarb.
Check out this recipe
Vegan panna cotta with roasted rhubarb.
Rhubarb Posset from Kavey Eats
A delicious summer dessert with just 3 ingredients.
Check out this recipe
Rhubarb Posset from Kavey Eats
Vegan malabi
A creamy vegan version of this Israeli rosewater pudding, topped with syrup and pomegranate seeds.
Check out this recipe
Vegan malabi - Israeli rosewater pudding with pomegranate.
Watermelon & berry salad with basil mint sugar
A refreshing summer dessert, ready in 10 mins. The summer berries are sweet & full of flavour, while herby sugar kicks up the zing.
Check out this recipe
Watermelon and berry salad on a spoon.
Vegan Victoria Sponge with berries and ‘cream’
A delicious vegan Victoria sponge cake, filled with fresh berries, jam and whipped vegan cream. A perfect British teatime treat for Summer!
Check out this recipe
A slice of vegan Victoria sponge cake filled with fresh berries and whipped vegan cream, dusted with caster sugar and decorated with a chamomile flower. The slice of cake is on a white plate with a cake fork and two strawberries.
« Easy vegan cholent – with a British twist!
Goats cheese strudel with baklava stuffed pastry »
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Comments

  1. Choclette

    May 15, 2019 at 8:33 am

    Lots of lovely and delicious ideas here. Now you’ve really got me in the mood for summer entertaining. And eating in the garden is the absolute best way to do it. Weirdly, it’s your asian style beans I most want to tuck into at the moment. They look so inviting.

    I can’t believe you used to plate up food for guests. That’s such a lot of work. This is much more my style of entertaining, plus I prefer a help yourself approach so you can take what you like and leave what you don’t.

    Reply
    • Helen

      May 15, 2019 at 9:00 am

      Thanks Choclette. Looking back, I’m not sure I can believe I used to plate up food either! All that time spent arranging chives and balancing croutons – I much prefer this way of doing things!

      Reply
  2. Janice

    May 14, 2019 at 4:35 pm

    I want to come to your summer party, the food sounds so good. What a handy guide for easy entertaining, thank you.

    Reply
    • Helen

      May 14, 2019 at 7:17 pm

      Any time Janice! Thanks 🙂

      Reply
  3. Lucy

    May 14, 2019 at 3:49 pm

    Loving these ideas for for my next summer get together, your salmon with sundried tomatoes looks delish, and then a nice potato salad on the side would be great. Thanks for including my recipe!

    Reply
    • Helen

      May 14, 2019 at 7:18 pm

      Thanks Lucy. I can’t wait for the warm weather to be here to stay!

      Reply

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