You can prep it in minutes, and the whole family will be full and happy (especially if they’re the type that typically needs their fleishigs).
With a family that doesn’t eat many dairy foods, the nine days can be a bit challenging. I’ve always made pareve cholent for dinner on one of the days since its filling and the kids love it. In the past I made it on the stove, starting with sautéing the onion… and numerous other steps.
Then, a couple of weeks ago, my daughter, who is away for the summer in the Project Seed Summer Program, called to tell me about this pareve cholent that her and her friends have been making for their Thursday night get togethers. It bakes overnight in an aluminum pan (they make double the recipe in a larger pan to feed a bigger crowd) and it’s delicious!
Combine all ingredients in a 9×13-inch pan.
Beans, barley, potatoes, onion, ketchup, garlic powder
paprika, salt and pepper
oil and water
- 1 cup (½ bag) cholent beans
- ¾ cup barley
- 5 Russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 onion, chopped
- ½ cup ketchup
- 1 Tbsp garlic powder
- 2 Tbsp paprika
- 2 Tbsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¾ cup oil
- 5 cups water (plus more)
- Preheat oven to 400ºF.
- Combine all ingredients in a 9x13-inch pan.
- Cover the pan very well and tight. Bake for 2 hours.
- Check the cholent and add another cup of water if it looks like it’s getting dry. Lower oven temperature to 200ºF and bake overnight.

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Would this also be the way to make meat cholent for shabbos in 9×13 and leave in the oven for shabbos day?
I do! I sear the meat then add everything to the pan and follow these directions. It’s perfect
Yes. I do this all the time I generally add 1 strip of Flanken (around 3/4 Ib) and cook it the same way. It will only enhance the taste!
Can you put on the warming drawer instead of oven at 200?
How many hours would overnight mean?
What a great idea!!! I made it today and my family really enjoyed!!!! Thanks so much!!! Keep those great ideas coming please ????
This was so delicious. Everyone loved it! I could only fit 4 c of water at first. Added some more after it cooked down a little. Also I added a few jumbo Lima beans which my kids are really enjoying each week in the cholent…
Where do I purchase cholent beans?
In any kosher grocery store OR you can mix dry kidney and navy beans together to make your own ‘cholent mix’
Can I bake it for 2 hours on 400 and then put on blech for shabbos?
Hi, is the proportion of salt correct? It sounds like a lot more than I usually use.
It was a perfect lunch for my family today! Thank you for this recipe
Could I use rice instead of barley to make it gluten free?
Absolutely delicious!! Was eaten to the last bean! Thanks so much!
This was great to have on Friday for everyone to eat during the 9 days!! Everyone enjoyed. Thanks.
What gluten free ingredient would you recommend to replace the barley ?
TIA!
Lundberg short grain brown rice perfectly mimics barley and is delicious in cholent.
Sushi rice
How many hours should overnite be.? Let’s say you want to starve this for supper. What times would you suggest to do everything
We’ve done it from 14 up to 20 hours
Is it possible to make it in crockpot or instant pot?
Assuming yes. You may need to adjust water.
This was such an amazing recipe!! Made it with Mrs Schapira’s overnight potato kugel (which calls for 2 hours on 350) so compromised on 375. Both 9×13’s were devoured within minutes! Thanks for another brilliant recipe!
Thank you Leah for such great recipes! Not only did it taste delicious, but the girls on seed {my daughter included} had a great time making it and eating it too!!!! C.B.Friedman
Is there any way to do this at a higher temp for a shorter amount of time?
Would it work to cut this recipe in half?
Would it be long enough to have it in the oven for 7 or 8 hours? After the first 2 hours.
If I want to serve same day. What temperature should I bake it on?
Could I bake it n the oven and after 2 hours transfer to a crock pot? How much water would need to be adjusted?