Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, and the holiday falls in September or early October. Our Rosh Hashanah recipes feature foods that are symbolic and meaningful in Jewish culture, such as leeks, pomegranates, carrots, honey, and apples.
It wouldn't be Rosh Hashanah without a tender brisket. We have two stellar recipes—sweet-and-sour brisket featuring chile sauce and brown sugar, and an orange-braised brisket that stays moist by soaking up Triple Sec liqueur and chicken broth as it cooks.
Roast chicken and roasted salmon are other popular main course choices for Rosh Hashanah. Our beet-and-dill roasted wild salmon calls for cooked and grated purple beets layered on top of the salmon while it marinates. The beets give the fish an intense purple hue and this dish makes a spectacular centerpiece for a holiday dinner.
These favorite recipes for Rosh Hashanah will help you start a sweet and prosperous New Year.
Sweet-and-Sour Brisket
Rosh Hashanah is all about bringing family and friends together for a celebration of the New Year. The sweet and sour flavors in this brisket transport Sarah Carey, our editorial director for food, back to her childhood as they were her grandmother's signature.
Beet Salad with Honey-Lavender Dressing
Honey brings a sweet touch to the classic mustard vinaigrette that is the perfect partner for this salad made with baby chard, roasted and fresh beets, and toasted pecans.
Slow-Roasted Salmon Salad with Barley and Golden Beets
Just right for a Rosh Hashanah dinner with a smaller group, the oven does most of the work for this slow-roasted salmon served with barley and thinly sliced beets. Add a colorful vegetable side or salad to round out this celebratory entrée.
Raisin-Challah Apple Betty
One of the main foods associated with Rosh Hashanah is apples. They are traditionally dipped in honey and eaten, bringing the promise of sweet days to come. This challah bread pudding is sure to bring warm wishes to your family.
Matzo Ball Soup
For many people, a Jewish holiday dinner would not be complete without matzo ball soup. This classic version calls for homemade stock, but you can use store-bought to save yourself some time.
Braised Fennel with Pomegranate
Pomegranates are traditionally served on the second night of Rosh Hashanah. The ruby-red seeds add a stunning color and crunch to this dish of braised fennel flavored with anise. It's a delicious side to serve with brisket or roasted salmon.
Pomegranate-Honey Coolers
Celebrate Rosh Hashanah with this easy white wine-based cocktail, made with two ingredients traditionally served on the Jewish New Year. A healthy dose of pomegranate juice—which comes from the many seeds that represent a fruitful year—complements a taste of honey, a symbol for sweetness in the year to come.
Apple-Honey Upside Down Cake
Of course, the celebration calls for some show-stopping desserts. Because of the symbolic importance of apples on Rosh Hashanah, desserts like the Apple-Honey Upside Down Cake are excellent options to end your meal.
Spiced Apple Cake
A crowd pleaser indeed, this delicate cake is tender with sour cream and spiced with ginger and allspice. Thin rounds of Granny Smith apple make the perfect topping.
Roasted Vegetables with Pomegranate Vinaigrette
Romanesco and regular white cauliflower, sweet potatoes, and Brussels sprouts are roasted together for a colorful holiday side dish. Drizzle the vinaigrette over the vegetables and sprinkle with pomegranate seeds just before serving.
Beet Latkes
Try this colorful take on the latke, where red beets replace the usual potatoes.
Onion and Leek Focaccia
Leeks, another important ingredient on Rosh Hashanah, symbolize the need to cut ties with individuals who may otherwise hurt us in the New Year. This gorgeous bread layers leeks and sliced onions on top of the dough, then is finished with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt and rosemary leaves for an earthy, savory flavor.
Brown-Butter Honey Cookies
Honey, a Jewish symbol of the gifts and favors offered by God, takes prominence in these nutty cookies. While the woven pattern looks complex, it's simple to create using an embossed rolling pin before cutting and shaping the dough.
Orange-Braised Brisket
A tender, rich brisket is the centerpiece of most Jewish holidays, from Rosh Hashanah to Passover. Cooking it with plenty of liquid is key to prevent it from drying out, and here, it's prepared with a combination of chicken broth and orange-flavored liqueur.
Sautéed Beet Greens
An easy healthy side dish for your holiday table that also has symbolic meaning (related to the departure of our enemies), this recipe comes together in 20 minutes.
Salmon and Cod Gefilte Fish
Gefilte fish is the Yiddish term for stuffed fish. This refined version takes the form of quenelles made with salmon and cod, plus matzo meal, diced vegetables, Dijon mustard, and aromatics. They're lightly poached, then served alongside flavored horseradish. Our version is free of shellfish so it's kosher.
Walnut Honey Cake
This delightful autumn dessert combines apples and honey with freshly ground toasted walnuts. The baked cake is glazed with honey and served warm. Enjoy slices after your holiday meal with hot tea.
Roast Chicken with Meyer Lemons and Potatoes
Always a showstopping main course, this fragrant roast chicken makes a delicious centerpiece for Rosh Hashanah.
Miso-and-Honey-Glazed Carrots
This updated take on a classic Rosh Hashanah side dish dresses up carrots with miso paste, honey, Meyer lemons, and butter.
Apple-Membrillo Tart
An absolute stunner, this apple tart is a spectacular way to end a Rosh Hashanah dinner. Quince paste, called membrillo in Spanish, is spread over pate brisee, then sliced apples are shingled on top for a gorgeous look.
Beet-and-Dill Roasted Wild Salmon
Here, a mixture of grated beets, horseradish, dill, lemon zest, and olive oil rests on top of an entire side of wild salmon. This crowd-ready main takes on a vibrant purple hue and develops an earthy, spicy flavor after marinating.
Pomegranate Relish
Pomegranates symbolize abundant blessings for the Jewish New Year. To celebrate the power of pomegranates, serve this sweet and tart relish as an accompaniment to your main course.
Seeded Marble Rye Bread
Rye bread is a staple at Rosh Hashanah among other Jewish holidays. Whether you spread chopped liver on a slice, crumble it on a salad, or eat it as a side, this gorgeous, earthy bread is an essential.
Honey Cake with Caramelized Pears
A particularly luscious version of an iconic dessert, this cake is topped with caramelized pear slices.