25 Best Rosh Hashanah Recipes for a Celebratory Dinner Menu
Ring in the Jewish New Year in the most delicious way possible.
While a tray of apples dipped in honey is a must-have at any Jewish New Year gathering, you might be looking to round out your Rosh Hashanah menu with other traditional Rosh Hashanah foods. You'll find all of that and more — get ready for a few unexpected delights! — in this roundup of celebratory recipe ideas. We collected our favorite exciting appetizers, centerpiece-worthy main dishes, creative side dishes and decadent desserts that are worthy of the new year (lasting Friday, Sep 15 – Sunday, Sep 17 of this year). To keep it classic, consider incorporating one of these symbolic ingredients into your menu:
- Round challah: While it's eaten on Shabbat and other Jewish holidays, this sweet and eggy bread is specially baked in a round shape for Rosh Hashanah to represent the unending cycle of life.
- Pomegranates: The numerous seeds of this fruit are said to connect to the many commandments of the Torah.
- Carrots: In Yiddish, "carrots" and "to increase" share the same word. The veggie symbolizes the desire for increased prosperity in the new year.
- Fish head: Rosh Hashanah translates to “head of the year,” and placing a fish head on the table is a nod to starting off the new year on the right track.
Still not sure what you should put on your Rosh Hashanah menu? We suggest starting with the traditional foods for Rosh Hashanah: sweet noodle kugel alongside your family’s favorite holiday roast, or flaky salmon paired with raisin-spiked wild rice. Then, let your personality shine with creative side dishes and desserts. Here's to a great year ahead!
Skillet Roasted Chicken
With beautifully roasted chicken and vegetables, this is a holiday-worthy feast made entirely in one skillet.
Get the Skillet Roasted Chicken recipe.
RELATED: 40 Best Cast Iron Skillet Recipes for Easy One-Pan Meals
Roasted Carrots and Red Onions
A sprinkle of almonds and sesame seeds gives these sweet roasted carrots a delicious crunch.
Get the Roasted Carrots and Red Onions recipe.
RELATED: 12 Easy Carrot Recipes That'll Spruce Up Your Easter Meal
Apple and Thyme Galettes
Looking for an unfussy apple dessert? Simply fold dough over sweetened apples for beautifully rustic treat.
Get the Apple and Thyme Galettes recipe.
RELATED: 79 Best Fall Desserts That Are Perfect to Make for Autumn
Salmon Rillette
This crowd-pleasing starter features salmon two ways: smoked and poached.
Get the Salmon Rillette recipe.
Roasted Beet and Orange Salad
Here's a new way to cook beets: Thinly slice, toss with oil and roast until slightly caramelized and crisp.
Get the Roasted Beet and Orange Salad recipe.
RELATED: 20 Easy Fall Salads to Make the Most of Harvest Season
Vegan Apple Cake
Everyone, no matter their dietary restrictions, can grab a slice of this vegan and gluten-free cake.
Get the Vegan Apple Cake recipe.
RELATED: 25 Easy Gluten-Free Desserts So Everyone Can Enjoy a Sweet Treat
Thyme and Shallot Roasted Butternut Squash
A drizzle of maple syrup adds just the right amount of sweetness to earthy roasted squash.
Apple Fritters
There are chopped Granny smiths in the filling and apple cider in the dough for a crisp, double-apple delight.
Get the Apple Fritters recipe.
Orange-Ginger Roast Chicken with Fennel and Radicchio Salad
Citrusy roast chicken and colorful radicchio salad makes a celebratory main.
Get the Orange-Ginger Roast Chicken with Fennel and Radicchio Salad recipe.
Roasted Carrots with Cumin-Thyme Granola
For an unexpected side, top sweet roasted carrots with spiced, crunchy oats.
Roasted Sweet Potato, Pear and Onion
This sweet and savory side is hearty enough to be a vegetarian (or vegan!) main.
Roasted Salmon with Green Beans and Tomatoes
Keep the holiday simple with this 20-minute salmon and veggie dinner served with creamy Greek yogurt.
Get the Roasted Salmon with Green Beans and Tomatoes recipe.
Brown-Butter Brussels Sprouts
Even the biggest sprout haters can't turn down brown butter. Crunchy almonds and sweet raisins make the whole dish even better.
Get the Brown-Butter Brussels Sprouts recipe.
RECIPE: 38 Brussels Sprouts Recipes That Will Have You Asking for Seconds
Roasted Butternut Squash Salad
Trust us, you'll want to double the lemony tahini dressing to drizzle over leftovers all week.
Get the Roasted Butternut Squash Salad recipe.
RECIPE: 37 Best Butternut Squash Recipes That Are Easy to Make for Fall
Spatchcock Chicken
Learn this simple technique to a perfectly cooked roast chicken — in a whole lot less time!
Get the Spatchcock Chicken recipe.
RELATED: 60 Healthy Chicken Recipes Perfect for an Easy Weeknight Dinner
Spice-Roasted Carrots
Paprika, nutmeg and chopped pistachios spice up this traditional holiday side.
Get the Spice-Roasted Carrots recipe.
Green Beans with Lemon Vinaigrette
The secret to great green beans? Don't overcook them! Be sure they still taste fresh and maintain a little bit of crunch.
Pomegranate-Honey Glazed Chicken and Squash
Juicy chicken and sweet-tart pomegranate glaze make a delicious match that's festive enough for the holidays.
Spice-Roasted Butternut Squash with Cider Vinaigrette
Apple cider, red wine vinegar and whole-grain mustard make a bright, punchy vinaigrette for sweet butternut squash.
Get the Spice-Roasted Butternut Squash with Cider Vinaigrette recipe.
Round Challah
This buttery, egg-enriched loaf looks impressive (and festive!) and is easy to make in your stand mixer.
Get the Round Challah recipe from Delish.
Samantha (she/her) is an Assistant Editor in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, where she writes about tasty recipes, must-try food products and top-tested secrets for home cooking success. She has taste-tasted hundreds of products and recipes since joining GH in 2020 (tough job!). A graduate of Fordham University, she considers the kitchen to be her happiest place.
Kate Merker (she/her) is the Chief Food Director of the Hearst Lifestyle Group, overseeing the team that produces food content for several Hearst titles, including Good Housekeeping, Women’s Health, Prevention, Woman’s Day and Country Living. She has clocked nearly 20 years of experience in food media and before that, worked at some of New York City’s finest restaurants.
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