15 Delicious Rosh Hashanah Dinner Recipes to Celebrate the New Year (2024)

Updated on 11/1/22

Serve Up A Sweet New Year: Symbolic Foods for Rosh Hashanah

• 01 of 15

  Honey Wheat Raisin Challah

  

  In Jewish culture, circular challah bread represents the unending cycle of life. It is a must-have at Rosh Hashanah, when it also symbolizes the wish for a good new year. You can make this large, sweet, vanilla-scented holiday raisin challah in a single afternoon for your special holiday meal.

• 02 of 15

  Gefilte Fish

  

  Gefilte fish is an iconic Jewish holiday food. While you can buy it jarred, this homemade version is far superior, and surprisingly easy to make in the food processor. The fish and vegetable mixture is formed into balls, chilled, and then simmered in vegetable broth until cooked through. Serve cold as an appetizer, with a generous amount of horseradish for dipping.

• 03 of 15

  Instant Pot Matzo Ball Soup

  

  For many families, no Jewish holiday meal would be complete without chicken matzo ball soup. The Instant Pot makes it possible to whip up a rich-tasting broth, with light and fluffy matzo meal dumplings, in little more than an hour. The secret to the complex-tasting broth is bone-in chicken thighs, which deliver a fantastic depth of flavor.

• 04 of 15

  Roasted Beet Salad With Crumbled Feta

  

  Beets are an important vegetable at Rosh Hashanah and represent a wish that those who wish to harm us will depart. This elegant salad inspired by Middle Eastern cuisine mingles sweet red and golden roasted beets with baby greens and mild feta cheese in a light dressing of olive oil and lemon juice.

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• 05 of 15

  Sweet and Sour Brisket

  

  It wouldn't be Rosh Hashanah without a rich, saucy, tender beef brisket. You might think it takes an experienced cook to pull off this iconic Jewish entree, but this four-ingredient recipe makes it easy. You only need to marinate the brisket in a mixture of simple ingredients, before cooking it low and slow. Plan to cook it a day ahead and reheat it, as the meat takes on extra flavor while it sits in the fridge.

• 06 of 15

  Roasted Chicken Breasts With Potatoes and Leeks

  

  Many Jewish families eat leeks at Rosh Hashanah to symbolize the wish for protection from enemies in the new year. In this soul-satisfying main dish, leeks and potatoes nestle alongside chicken breasts flavored with fresh chopped garlic and basil, which are roasted to perfection in the oven.

• 07 of 15

  Baked Salmon Steaks With Sour Cream and Dill

  

  Salmon is a popular kosher fish (others include cod, flounder, halibut, and trout). At Rosh Hashanah dinners, it represents the hope that the new year will be bountiful. This special occasion-worthy seafood dish dresses perfectly-baked salmon steaks with deli-style ingredients, including sour cream, red onions, lemon, and dill.

• 08 of 15

  Roasted Cauliflower With Pomegranate

  

  Pomegranate seeds are typically eaten on the second day of Rosh Hashanah, to symbolize the intention to do good deeds in the new year. They add great color and refreshing tartness to this baked cauliflower side dish with cumin, turmeric, pistachios, fresh parsley, and lemon.

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• 09 of 15

  Tzimmes (Sweet Potato and Dried Fruit Casserole)

  

  Tzimmes (literally "a big fuss" in Yiddish) is a much-loved, deeply-comforting, colorful Jewish casserole. This vegetable side dish is made with sweet potatoes, carrots, and dried fruits, sweetened with honey, brown sugar, butter, and orange juice, and spiced to perfection with cinnamon.

• 10 of 15

  Honey Glazed Baby Carrots

  

  Carrots are a classic side dish to serve for Rosh Hashanah, and this easy holiday recipe is a real kid-pleaser. It features cute baby carrots flavored with sticky sweet honey. You can add golden raisins if kids like them or leave them out for a simpler dish.

• 11 of 15

  Classic Kosher Potato Kugel

  

  Potato kugel, sometimes called potato pudding, is a staple of Jewish holiday meals. This classic kugel with potatoes, onions, and eggs is tender on the inside, crispy on the outside, and makes the perfect side dish for brisket, roast chicken, or salmon. Slice it into squares for serving, with sour cream and chives available for topping.

• 12 of 15

  Vegetarian Couscous Salad With Chickpeas

  

  Couscous often makes an appearance at Jewish holiday tables. It has a special meaning on this holiday when the many tiny couscous grains represent the wish for plentiful blessings in the new year. Tossed with chickpeas, cucumber, bell pepper, and seasonings, it makes a light side dish.

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• 13 of 15

  Spiced Honey Cake

  

  Honey cakes, known as lekach, are a must-have dessert at Jewish new year. Dense, sweet, and spiced, and drizzled over with a sweetened honey glaze, this honey cake bakes up easily in a loaf pan. Enjoy it for Rosh Hashanah dessert, and snack on leftovers (if any) with your morning coffee the next day.

• 14 of 15

  Challah Bread Pudding with Chocolate and Cherries

  

  Made with tender challah, oozing with rich dark chocolate, studded with tart dried cherries, and flavored with Amaretto liqueur, vanilla, and cinnamon, this elevated Rosh Hashanah bread pudding is sure to wow your holiday dinner guests. It is also dairy-free, for those avoiding milk products.

• 15 of 15

  Dried Fruit Compote

  

  Sweet, spicy, homey, this dried fruit compote is a simply delicious ending to a filling meal. It's easy to make by simmering dried fruits on the stovetop in a spiced sugar syrup, before chilling for several hours. Make it up to 2 weeks ahead, storing in the fridge in an airtight container. Serve cold.