No, this is not the same as your standard potato kugel. But overnight kugel is a classic and it’s easy to learn the technique.
There are a few topics we talk about often on BCP. I take full responsibility for some of those. They include pizza, schnitzel and kugel…and they’re things our families simply never tire of.
I first wrote a basic kugel recipe to make the perfect potato kugel. Then there was a post answering the question: “Can you freeze potato kugel?” (Yes, you can if you know how to warm it up!). Then, we showed you how to make kugel look elegant (you can!) and I wrote how to make a Shtreimel Kugel aka a Rebbish Kugel (there is a crockpot version and oven version).
However, the recipe I’m sharing here is the original overnight kugel recipe that I shared in Fresh and Easy Kosher Cooking and may we say it’s the very best overnight potato kugel that we’ve tried.
It’s the kind of kugel you buy in takeouts or order from a caterer. It’s a soft, salty kugel that’s pretty addictive.
It’s such a classic recipe it deserved its own post, so that you can easily find the recipe online right here.
Overnight Potato Kugel
Ingredients
- 5 lbs potatoes (idaho or russet), peeled
- 1 large onion
- 8 extra large eggs
- 1 cup canola oil
- ½ cup boiling water
- 1½ tbsp table salt
- ⅛ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Grate potatoes and onions. Mix in eggs, oil, and boiling water. Season with salt and pepper.
- Transfer the potato mixture to a 9×13 inch pan. Bake uncovered for 2 hours.
- After 2 hours, cover very tightly with 3 layers of foil. Place a 9×13 pan filled halfway with cold water on the bottom rack of the oven. Place the covered kugel on the oven rack directly above the water. Lower oven temperature to 220°F and bake for 8 hours or overnight.
Want a high tall kugel? Try the Shtreimel Kugel recipe (disposable pot version).
Best kugel ever!!! I use 3/4 oil and 3/4 boiling water.! Thank you!
I also do 3/4 c hot water. And 3/4 Tbs salt. Agree!! Best best kugel recipe ever!!!!!! Always a huge hit! (This and the parve overnight cholent for a long Friday afternoon… )
I do veggie overnight cholent and I include a frozen parve kishke and some whole eggs. I do beans, whole (unpeeled) garlic cloves, chopped onions, fresh sage, some pre-soaked whole barley, and sautéed mushrooms and potatoes. Even meat-eating gentiles love my cholent! I do it in the oven in an Émile Henry Dutch oven–I think cooking in clay just adds something extra.
Now what’s 5Lb? Would be better in quantity.
In the US a standard bag of potatoes is 5lb.
I would thunk that everyone knows they sell 5lb bags of potatoes in the stores. Geez!
Only in the US. We have readers all over the world that don’t buy their potatoes in a 5lb bag.
It’s actually better to weigh the potatoes after peeling. Then you get an accurate 5lb. Otherwise potatoes vary in size and the recipe comes out different every time.
This specific recipe was written with 5 pound of potatoes, before they are peeled.
Best kugel ever, I do the exact recipe and everyone loves it! Thank you for an amazing recipe
What kind of blade for the potatoes? Shredding? Kugel blade? regular blending?
See the basic kugel post for all details about grating.
can i use golden potatoes?
See the reply on the next comment.
Yukon?
This specific recipe I prefer with Idaho or Russet. Use the basic recipe if you want Yukon and then continue with step 4. Yukon gold potatoes are creamier and don’t need the additional egg and boiling water.
However keep in mind that this recipe is more authentic and similar to takeout overnight Kugel.
Can you make the kugels earlier, through the bake at 350 for 2 hours step, and then several hours later put them in overnight? Thanks!
Yes. You can even do it a day later or freeze in between the 2 steps.
If i freeze it between the 2 baking steps, do i stick it straight from the freezer to a 220℉ oven or defrost a bit first?
See all the choices in this post: https://betweencarpools.com/can-i-freeze-potato-kugel/
If you are saying that this step can be done a day later, can I overnight the leftover kugel from shabbos or does it need to be the whole kugel?
You can do it with leftover kugel. However the edge won’t be as pretty.
My boys absolutely love this kugel! I make it every week. I put half a cup of oil and 1 cup boiling water. Fresh and Easy is still one of my favorite cookbooks!
Can you half this recipe?
You can. Just put it into a small pan. You can also split the raw potato mixture into 2 pans. Freeze one after you bake it and before the overnight part.
Made this last night and woke up to the house smelling yum! Its an authentic, delicious kugel! Likovid Shabbos!!
Best kugel ever!!!!!! Tasted like authentic Kiddush kugel. I
Can you make in a crockpot and serve for shabbps lunch?
You can make any regular potato kugel recipe in a crockpot. See this recipe for instructions https://betweencarpools.com/overnight-shtreimel-kugel/
I have been making your kugel for years. So on behalf of my hands and kids, I thank thee.
My kug came out grey:( I never have tht with yukon
This came out amazing! Thank you!
I had tried a few times in the past to make ‘overnight potato kugel’,but without success (came out dry).decided to search it up and found this.Thank you so much,my whole family loved it.
Can I ommit the onion without changing anything else or do I need to add more water or oil?
Yes you can omit the onion. We prefer it for the flavor it ads.
Why do you put pan of cold water in oven overnight?
Can I make this without baking it overnight?
This recipe is specifically for overnight. Here is our regular one: https://betweencarpools.com/basics-how-to-make-perfect-potato-kugel/
Does this freeze well?
Hi I’d like to make this for a bm kiddush but prepare in advance. From everything I’ve read… is this the right approach? 350 for 2 hours, freeze.
On Friday (what time?), remove from freezer, add 1/4 c hot water, put in oven on 200 with pan of water till serve shabbos at kiddush?
Thanks!!
I made this kugel for Rosh Hashana and my husband said it was the best potato kugel he’s ever had!
Can I make this in a crock pot?
typically 5lbs of potatoes are about 15 regular size potatoes
my Israeli oven has one rack. can i put water next to it not under it?