14 Best Recipes for Rosh Hashanah

Traditionally, foods served on Rosh Hashanah are meant to symbolize the sweetness, hope, and possibility that comes with the start of a new year. Apples and honey and a round, often raisin-studded challah are non-negotiables on the holiday table. Dried fruits and honey are often incorporated into other dishes as well, suffusing their sweetness and symbolic meaning into a dinner enjoyed with family and friends. Here are some recipes to inspire your celebratory meal! 

If you keep kosher, please note that there are both dairy and meat dishes included in this lineup. Choose whichever category you prefer when putting together your meal.

Homemade Challah

My challah recipe includes 1/4 honey, giving it a subtle sweetness that hits just right on Rosh Hashanah. Shape the dough into a round and add some rainbow sprinkles on top, if you please.

Honey Mustard Baked Salmon

“W​​hen baked salmon fillets come out of the oven they should still be just a little bit rare in the center. They'll continue to cook in the residual heat and be perfect when you go to eat them.” —Elise

Whipped Feta with Figs, Pistachio, and Honey

“This creamy, salty feta dip with sweet figs, honey, and crunchy pistachios is as pretty as it is tasty.” —Karishma Pradhan, Simply Recipes Contributor

Roasted Beets with Balsamic Glaze

“The orange zest and balsamic glaze? Double wow. Like orange-y beet-y balsamic-y fireworks in your mouth. These beets are addictive. Pace yourself.”  —Elise

Honey Roasted Carrots with Dates and Hazelnuts

“If you celebrate Rosh Hashanah, this would be a great dish to complement the meal. It incorporates honey, an ingredient that is commonly enjoyed for the Jewish holiday because it symbolizes a sweet new year.” —Sara Tane, Simply Recipes Contributor

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pomegranate Balsamic Glaze

“Sprinkle some fresh pomegranate arils over the finished Brussels sprouts and you have a beautiful side dish for your holiday table!” —Lisa Lin, Simply Recipes Contributor

Easy Homemade Hummus

“If you have extra time and you want to make hummus that is extra creamy, peel the membranes off the cooked chickpeas before you purée them.” —Elise

Black-Eyed Pea Salad

“Black-eyed pea salad with a Greek twist, fresh spinach, Kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes, feta cheese, green onions, garlic, and lemon.” —Hank Shaw, Simply Recipes Contributor

Jeweled Carrot Salad with Apple and Pomegranate

“This is just a playful take on a classic carrot salad, with a scattering of pomegranate seeds and craisins for pops of color and flavor, and some freshly squeezed lime juice and a little honey.” —Elise

Honey Roasted Chicken Thighs with Potatoes, Apples, and Shallots

“In this sheet pan wonder, chicken thighs are roasted in a hot oven over a bed of apple slices, shallots, waxy potatoes, and fresh thyme. The results are veggies coated in a luxurious layer of schmaltzy gold and tender chicken thighs with golden brown, crackly skin.” —Sara

Honey Apple Cider Glazed Salmon

“A lovely way to prepare salmon is with a simple glaze made with honey and apple cider. You might think that this honey glazed salmon combination would make the dish too sweet, but it just adds a delicious caramelized flavor to the fish.” —Elise

Cardamom Honey Chicken

“Roast chicken marinated first in honey, sherry, cardamom, and pepper, then browned on the stovetop and baked to doneness in the oven.” —Elise

Slow Cooker Lamb Stew with Pomegranate Molasses

“This lamb stew uses the tart complexity of pomegranate molasses and the flavor-enhancing simplicity of the slow cooker to give you a stand-out meal with almost no work.” —Ali Rosen, Simply Recipes Contributor

Beet “Hummus”

“The ingredients are beets, tahini, garlic, lemon, cumin, and salt and pepper. Unlike traditional hummus, are no chickpeas in this recipe. Many thanks to neighbor, pastry chef, and friend Evie Lieb, for sharing this terrific recipe with us.” —Elise Bauer, Simply Recipes Founder