We’re sharing lots of ideas for your Rosh Hashanah menu just in case you’re looking. Admit it, you probably just googled Rosh Hashanah recipes! 🙂
The Jewish New Year is a time of reflection and a time to usher in a sweet new year. This is where the food part comes in. Big job if you’re hosting a dinner.
Many families stick to traditional fare. Some (like me), like to change it up, tweaking one or two of the traditional recipes or adding a couple of new ones.
In this post you will find appetizers, main dishes, side dishes and desserts.
Most of the recipes are make ahead (at least partially) to help take the stress off the host. Here’s a couple of other tips for making hosting easier:
Shanah Tova (Happy New Year) to those who celebrate this special high holiday!
Traditional Rosh Hashanah Foods
Every family has its own food traditions for Rosh Hashanah, either passed down for generations or based on symbolic ingredients.
Menus vary widely, but you will often find chicken soup, gefilte fish, roast chicken, brisket, noodle kugel and honey or apple cake on many Rosh Hashanah tables.
Several symbolic foods are often served for this special occasion as well:
apples dipped in honey symbolizing a sweet new year (very popular!)
challah (egg bread) sweetened with raisins or honey, often in a round shape to symbolize the continuous cycle of life
tzimmes, a sweet vegetable/fruit dish. Carrots, a key ingredient in tzimmes, symbolize ‘hope’ for increased blessings in the coming year.
pomegranateseeds are said to symbolize good deeds and are often served as a “new fruit” to taste the newness of the year.
a fish head is sometimes placed on the table to symbolize the ‘head of the year’ which is the literal translation of Rosh Hashanah.
Rosh Hashanah Recipes
Now for the 50 Rosh Hashanah recipe ideas…
Appetizers and Starters
Homemade chicken soup: Make Ahead
Homemade Chicken Soup
There's something about chicken soup – I mean a good homemade chicken soup recipe from scratch – that's special. I've been making it forever as did my mother and my grandmother. And probably her mother and grandmother before that. It's nourishing. It's comforting.
Tomato Tartwith Puff PastryVegetarian, Make Ahead, Shortcut
Tomato Tart with Puff Pastry
This casual, rustic tomato tart with puff pastry is a simple, tasty appetizer for a casual dinner party or a light lunch served with a salad and a glass of wine. When tomatoes are at their peak, the tart is amazing. But it still works beautifully when they're not due to the vinaigrette dressing that brightens them with herbs, garlic and capers.
Eggplant Dip (Baba Ghanoush): Vegetarian, 30 minutes, Make Ahead
Eggplant Dip
This not-your-classic version of eggplant dip (Baba Ghanoush) has an Asian twist with sauteed onions, garlic, ginger, soy and rice wine. It;s super flavorful, luxurious, slightly smoky and very tasty.
DukkahRecipe Vegetarian, 30 minutes, Make Ahead, Shortcut
Dukkah Recipe
Ground nuts, seeds and spices make an incredible appetizer "dip" served with bread and olive oil. Your guests will rave about this delicious Dukkah recipe.
Avocado Appetizers on CrostiniVegetarian, Under 30 minutes, Shortcut
Avocado Appetizers on Crostini
Here's a tasty, popular avocado appetizer on crostini to add to your repertoire. We top it with tomatoes and a balsamic drizzle to boost flavor and pizzazz. Just 12 minutes.
Tofu with Peanut Sauce (serve with toothpicks): Vegetarian, Make Ahead, Shortcut
Tofu With Peanut Sauce
If you're a peanut lover, you will love Tofu With Peanut Sauce. Even if you don't like tofu. The spicy peanut-y little pillows are packed with flavor and delicious in veggie bowls and appetizers.
Perfection! Sous vide turkey breast is impossible to beat for moist, tender, succulent turkey – EVERY time. Amazing results with this method – guaranteed.
Canadian Maple Cedar Plank SalmonMake Ahead, 30 Minutes – I sometimes serve this as an appetizer, cut into small chunks. So good!
Canadian Maple Cedar Plank Salmon
This rich, mildly smoky Canadian Maple Cedar Plank Salmon is glazed with maple syrup, balsamic, grainy mustard, butter & garlic. Easy and mouthwatering!
Sticky, sweet and tangy deliciousness! This Apricot Chicken recipe is a semi-homemade and much better version of that old recipe with onion soup, jam and Catalina dressing.
This classic prime rib recipe uses the reverse-sear method to create mouth watering, medium-rare meat throughout the entire roast. It doesn't get better than that.
Company Chickenwith Citrus Sauce and Pistachios: Make Ahead – gorgeous presentation
Company Chicken with Citrus Sauce and Pistachios
This company chicken with citrus, carrots, prunes & pistachios is a treat for the eyes, taste buds and cook (make-ahead). The flavors blend beautifully.
Vegetable Strudel Recipe – Make Ahead, Vegetarian, Shortcut – a great option for vegetarians at your table. You can leave out the goat cheese if necessary.
Vegetable Strudel Recipe
This vegetable strudel recipe wraps a savory medley of sweet potatoes, onion, peppers, apple, spinach & goat cheese in a flaky buttery puff pastry. It's a wonderful make-ahead main or side dish for a special occasion. And easy with a great shortcut.
Smoked Brisket in a Smoker – Make Ahead – way ahead! a labor of love
How To Smoke A Brisket
How to smoke a brisket in a smoker includes all the best research, experience and tips by guest chef Bob to get you to a tender, mouth watering smoked brisket. We included a great shortcut and step by step instructions that even a novice can follow.
Moroccan Chicken with Sweet Potatoes: Make Ahead – lots of sweet features, perfect for this holiday.
Moroccan Chicken with Sweet Potatoes
Experience incredible aromas and juicy spiced Moroccan chicken with the most scrumptious sweet potato, prune, onion, garlic and apple medley ever. No special equipment needed.
Sous Vide Chicken Citrus Glazed: Make Ahead, Shortcut. You have other options if you don’t have sous vide equipment.
Sous Vide Chicken Breast Recipe (Citrus Glazed)
This tender, juicy citrus glazed sous vide chicken breast recipe is bursting with flavor from a sweet, tangy glaze of maple syrup, orange, lemon and lime. Company worthy.
The ultimate in Friday night or Sunday dinner comfort food – roast chicken and potatoes. The chicken is moist and flavorful, but it's the potatoes that are outstanding. They absorb the juices from the chicken, lemon, onion and garlic – and taste sublime.
Grilled BBQ Chicken: Make Ahead, Under 30 minutes, Kid-friendly
Grilled BBQ Chicken
The marinade for Grilled BBQ Chicken has been in my family for about 50 years. It looks like regular BBQ sauce, but it's not. We used it on steak, chops and chicken. Easy and always delicious.
Super Easy Potato Knishes – Make Ahead, Vegetarian, Shortcut
Super Easy Potato Knishes
These easy potato knishes are flaky and melt-in-your-mouth despite the shortcuts that cut the recipe time in half. A great appetizer or side. Don't count on leftovers.
This oven roasted vegetables recipe is simple comfort food. Sweet potatoes, peppers, eggplant, apples and rosemary create a delicious side dish. Not to mention healthy and colorful. And never mind that an apple is not a vegetable. It works perfectly.
Salad With Grilled Vegetables and QuinoaMake Ahead, Vegetarian
Party Salad with Grilled Vegetables and Quinoa
We love this Party Salad with Grilled Vegetables and Quinoa, loaded with eggplant, corn, peppers and maple-balsamic dressing. Three sides in one colorful dish.
Vegetable Quinoa Stuffing – Make Ahead, Shortcut, 30 Minutes, Vegetarian
Vegetable Stuffing with Quinoa
You won't miss the bread in this delicious, super healthy, Vegetable Stuffing with quinoa. It's a great alternative to a traditional stuffing, dressing or any side dish. And takes only 30 minutes to make.
Grilled cabbage is turned into our version of a super flavorful, no mayo coleslaw. The vibrant colors of the red cabbage, julienne carrots, green onion and sesame seeds make a stunning vegetarian side dish.
Eggplant lovers will rave about this grilled eggplant recipe with a sweet and tangy glaze. The beautiful bold colors make this an impressive side dish at any BBQ or picnic.
Red Quinoa Salad with Roasted Carrots: Make Ahead, Vegetarian, Shortcuts
Red Quinoa Salad with Roasted Carrots Recipe
This red quinoa salad is loaded with super healthy greens, roasted carrots and beets, topped with avocado and a delicious orange-balsamic dressing. Yum!
Knish Recipe with Root Vegetable Mash: Make Ahead, Vegetarian, Shortcut
Knish Recipe with Root Vegetable Mash
This knish recipe is filled with a delicious root vegetable mash, wrapped in a golden flaky puff pastry (store-bought – shh). Melt in your mouth and really easy. A great make ahead side dish or appetizer.
Indian-style curried rice with raisins is a simple recipe made with broth, onions, curry powder and golden raisins. It has a mild curry flavor with a touch of sweetness from the raisins. and great color.
Peach Chutney(30 minutes): Make Ahead, Under 30 minutes, Vegetarian, Shortcut. Delicious with chicken or brisket.
Peach Chutney (30 minutes)
Peach chutney is a perfect condiment for brisket, turkey, chicken, lamb, pork and Indian curries. Even cheese and sandwiches. Sweet and tangy, warmly spiced and loaded with fresh peaches.
Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots:Vegetarian, Make Ahead, 30 minutes, Shortcut
Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots
A fresh bunch of carrots roasted with honey and thyme, and garnished with orange zest, make these roasted honey glazed carrots irresistible. A simple and easy jazzed-up side dish.
RoastedBaby Cauliflower: Make Ahead, Under 30 minutes, Vegetarian
Baby Cauliflower Recipe (roasted)
You have to try this new baby cauliflower. It's sweet, delicate, tender and delicious – kind of a cross between cauliflower and broccoli. We're roasting it in this recipe, but you can cook it so many different ways. It's slowly coming into mainstream stores so grab some if you can find it.
Crispy Oven Roasted Potatoes: Vegetarian, Make Ahead
Crispy Oven Roasted Potatoes
Crispy Oven Roasted Potatoes are soft and creamy inside, crispy and golden outside. The two step cooking method takes a bit longer, but it's worth it. They're that good!
Charred Onions on the Grill: Under 30 minutes, Vegetarian, Make Ahead. Delish with chicken and brisket.
Charred Onions on the Grill
Tender, sweet charred onions on the grill make a delicious condiment or side dish and are a snap to make using a grill basket. Little effort, big return. A pretty traditional topping for burgers, but also delicious in burritos, quesadillas, scrambled eggs, salsas, quinoa or rice dishes.
Quinoa and Glazed Butternut Squash Salad: Vegetarian, Make Ahead, Shortcut
Quinoa and Glazed Butternut Squash Salad
Simple, hearty and healthy, Quinoa and Glazed Butternut Squash salad with spinach, cranberries and toasted sesame seeds is a delicious vegetarian main dish or side.
Butternut Squash Salad with Warm Cinnamon Dressing: Make Ahead, Vegetarian, Shortcut
Butternut Squash Salad with Warm Cinnamon Dressing
Beautiful, delicious and satisfying as a vegetarian main or side, butternut squash salad with caramelized onions, toasted pecans and warm cinnamon dressing will get rave reviews at your next holiday or dinner event.
Moist Apple Cake With Bourbon Caramel Sauce – Make Ahead, Vegetarian
Moist Apple Cake Recipe with Bourbon Caramel Sauce
This moist apple cake recipe is a wonderful celebration of Fall. The cake is delicious on its own, but a real standout with a drizzle of silky bourbon caramel sauce
Puff Pastry Apple Tart (30 min): Vegetarian, Make Ahead, Under 30 minutes, Shortcut
Puff Pastry Apple Tart (30 minutes)
Whip up this puff pastry apple tart for a weeknight or weekend dessert. Simple and delicious. Just apples, puff pastry, butter and brown sugar (ok, ice cream too).
Orange Polenta Cake – Make Ahead, Vegetarian, Gluten Free
Orange Polenta Cake (gluten free)
This delicious golden gluten-free Orange Polenta Cake is moist, rich and bursting with zesty orange flavor. It's easy to make as it has no layers, no filling and no icing.
Crispy Buttery Lace Cookies – Make Ahead, Vegetarian, 30 Minutes
Crispy Buttery Lace Cookies Recipe
These delicate, crispy, buttery Lace Cookies have been in our family for years. Ready in under 30 minutes and perfect for a tea, brunch, shower or dessert.
Homemade Caramel Popcorn (a treat to usher in a sweet year!)- Make Ahead, Vegetarian, Shortcut
Best Homemade Caramel Popcorn
No, you can’t just eat a handful of this addictive homemade caramel popcorn. Crunchy popcorn and nuts with a mouth-watering buttery salted caramel coating. Perfect for gifts, picnics & parties.
Chocolate Cranberry Rice Crispy SquaresRecipe: Make Ahead, Vegetarian Under 30 minutes (plus chill time).
Chocolate Rice Crispy Treats
Loaded with chocolate, nuts and raisins, these no-bake chocolate rice crispy treats are your answer to that after-dinner chocolate craving. Rich, chewy, crunchy, nutty, chocolate-y deliciousness. Just 10 minutes of hands-on time to prepare (plus chill time).
Microwave Brownie Recipe in 8 minutes: Make Ahead, Vegetarian, Under 30 minutes.
Microwave Brownie Recipe in 8 Minutes
Company dropping by in 10 minutes? Craving something sweet pronto? Or need a quick potluck dessert? This chocolate-y, moist, fudgy microwave brownie recipe will do the trick.
Skor Chocolate Chip Cookies: Make Ahead, Vegetarian
Skor Chocolate Chip Cookies
Teeny toffee bits take these skor chocolate chip cookies over the top. Buttery, caramel-y, chocolate-y, chewy cookies with crisp edges (if baked longer). Wickedly good. Freeze balls of dough to make fresh warm cookies whenever you need them.
