Our Favorite Rosh Hashanah Recipes

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is arguably most famous for its long prayer services and the sounds of the shofar blasts. But food—delicious, delicious food—plays a major role in the holiday’s festivities. 

Family and friends gather around the holiday table to celebrate new beginnings and sweet possibilities with foods rich in flavor and symbolism. Each bite—and corresponding prayer—brings hope and well-wishes for the year ahead.

If you’re planning your menu, we’ve rounded up our favorite recipes for Rosh Hashanah, from hearty chicken mains to vibrant side dishes, symbolic simanim, and sweet desserts. Whether you’re hosting the whole mischpacha or cooking for a couple friends, these ideas will help you create a table full of tradition and taste.

Rosh Hashanah Chicken Recipes

Chicken often takes center stage at the holiday meal. It’s versatile, crowd-pleasing, and can be prepared in ways that highlight the sweetness we hope for in the coming year.

• Honey-Glazed Roast Chicken: Infused with garlic, rosemary, and a sticky honey glaze, this dish captures the essence of a sweet new year. Pair with roasted root vegetables for a hearty entrée.
• Pomegranate Chicken: Simmer chicken thighs in a sauce of pomegranate juice, onions, and spices. The tart-sweet flavor symbolizes fruitfulness and abundance.
• Apricot Chicken: A classic Jewish holiday favorite, this recipe features chicken baked with dried apricots and onions, giving every bite a perfect balance of savory and sweet.

Rosh Hashanah Dinner Sides

No holiday meal is complete without vibrant and comforting sides. For Rosh Hashanah, these dishes bring both flavor and meaning to the table.

• Carrot Tzimmes: Slow-cooked carrots with honey and dried fruit. Carrots are often sliced into coin shapes, symbolizing prosperity.
  
• Apple and Beet Salad: Apples dipped in honey are a holiday classic, and this salad pairs them with earthy beets, pomegranate seeds, and a light vinaigrette.
  
• Roasted Delicata Squash: Toss slices with olive oil and spices, then roast until caramelized. A seasonal and naturally sweet addition to your meal.
  
• Challah with Raisins: Round challah loaves represent the cycle of the year. Adding raisins provides extra sweetness to usher in joy.

Rosh Hashanah Simanim

The simanim, or symbolic foods, are an essential part of the Rosh Hashanah meal. Each item carries a special meaning for the year to come.

• Apples and Honey: To wish for a sweet year ahead.
• Pomegranates: Said to have 613 seeds, symbolizing the mitzvot (commandments) and abundance.
• Fish Head: Traditionally eaten to symbolize being a “head and not a tail”—a leader, not a follower.
• Leeks, Beets, and Dates: Each comes with wordplay blessings in Hebrew, asking for protection and renewal.

Incorporating these simanim into your meal can be as simple as serving them individually or weaving them into salads, sauces, and side dishes.

Rosh Hashanah Desserts

To end the holiday meal on a sweet note, these Rosh Hashanah desserts are both traditional and festive.

• Honey Cake: Moist and spiced with cinnamon, this dessert is a Rosh Hashanah staple, symbolizing sweetness in the new year.
• Apple Tart: A modern twist on the apple tradition, baked with flaky pastry and a drizzle of honey.
• Pomegranate Sorbet: A refreshing and symbolic dessert that pairs perfectly with a heavy meal.
• Teiglach: Little balls of dough boiled in honey syrup, a beloved Ashkenazi treat.

Bringing It All Together

Rosh Hashanah is more than a holiday—it’s an opportunity to connect with heritage, family, and hope for the year to come. By preparing dishes rooted in tradition, you’re not just cooking a meal; you’re weaving together generations of Jewish culture and memory.

Whether you focus on classic Rosh Hashanah chicken recipes, experiment with creative dinner sides, or highlight the symbolic simanim, every dish has a story to tell. And of course, no celebration is complete without sweet Rosh Hashanah desserts to close the evening.

From our kitchen to yours, Shanah Tovah U’Metukah—wishing you a happy, healthy, and sweet new year!