I know many families cherish the big brisket, standing rib roast, or pot roast that graces their table each year. Traditions are important, and food imparts its own sanctity as part of holiday experiences; the smell, the sight and the taste too, all play a crucial role in what makes family gatherings during a holiday so very special. It might not even be the flavor of the dish itself, but rather the knowledge and emotional connection that this dish was made in your family for generations.
But the truth is there are so many alternatives to serving a brisket — whether to cater to dietary restrictions; smaller, more intimate holiday meals; or limited budget. Chicken is a great choice because you can make an extra-special recipe and then enjoy leftovers the next day, or turn it into chicken salad to enjoy all week. Whole roasted cauliflower makes a wonderful vegetarian main dish, or delish side dish, that is as beautiful to look at as it is to enjoy eating. And fish is actually a symbolic food for the New Year in various traditions (or at the very least, presenting a fish head on the table!).
The last thing I will say on brisket: If it just won’t feel like the holidays without that special main roast, ask your butcher for a smaller piece of meat, or make your usual size and freeze it, or pack up some extra meals to bring to friends, neighbors or others in your community who I know would really enjoy a home-cooked meal.
Here are nine main entrees that are almost as good as that holiday brisket. Or, maybe, even better:
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Jeweled Rosh Hashanah Plov
This special-occasion rice pilaf with beef is full of flavor and texture.
Lamb Tzimmes with Apricots and Harissa
A decadent take on a classic holiday dish.
Instant Pot Georgian Pomegranate Chicken
A low-maintenance chicken recipe with Georgian Jewish influence.
Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini and Tomato Salsa
A stunning centrepiece.
Easy Short Ribs with Orange and Honey
This rich short rib recipe is so easy to prepare; let your oven do all the hard work for you.
Couscous with Seven Vegetables
A great way to incorporate seasonal produce for Rosh Hashanah.
The Best Vegan Brisket
Savory pulled mushrooms and tofu make the perfect plant-based holiday dish.
Roasted Duck With Plums
A time-honored High Holiday tradition that’s sophisticated and delicious.
Moroccan-Inspired Tzimmes with Saffron, White Wine and Chicken
A fragrant, colorful take on a classic Rosh Hashanah dish.
Tunisian Spicy Fish (Chraimeh)
Perfect for the holidays, think of this dish as the Mizrahi replacement of gefilte fish.
Slow-Cooked Sweet and Sour Iraqi Lamb
Tender, tangy and worthy of any celebration.
Hasselback Squash with Dates, Pistachios and Pomegranate
The perfect vegetarian main dish for Rosh Hashanah, incorporating symbolic foods like pomegranates, dates and gourds.
One Pot Chicken with Potatoes and Dried Fruit
This chicken and potato braise, infused with prunes and apricots for a subtle sweetness, for a tzimmes-adjacent one-pot main.
Sea Bass With Roasted Peppers and Herb Cream
A fresh, flavorful fish dish perfect for Rosh Hashanah or any celebratory meal.
Crockpot Short Ribs with Pomegranate Molasses
This no-fuss short ribs recipe is so rich and delicious, no one will know you weren’t slaving over a hot stove for hours.
Syrian Stuffed Zucchini with Dried Fruit
A symbolic dish to begin the new year.
Spice-Roasted Chicken with Fennel, Coriander & Lemon
Coated in flavor.
Pomegranate and Honey Glazed Chicken
The tart flavor of pomegranates with sweet honey make for a symbolic — and delicious — Rosh Hashanah dish.
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