The Jewish New Year is approaching, and the pressure to plan your menu and make your shopping list is likely amping up. To inspire you, we’ve gathered a whopping 42 recipes for Rosh Hashanah main dishes that cater to every taste.
If you like your High Holiday meals traditional (with a side of nostalgia), we’ve got you covered. From t’fina pkaila — an unctuous Tunisian meat-and-white-bean stew — to jeweled rice and, of course, brisket.
We’ve not got one brisket recipe, we’ve not got two brisket recipes, we have, in fact, fourteen spectacular brisket recipes that will keep anyone and everyone happy — simple, with a twist, in a Crock Pot, in an Instant Pot, for vegetarians, for vegans and so many more.
If you’re not going the brisket route this year, whether because you just don’t fancy it, it’s too expensive or you’re planning smaller, more intimate Rosh Hashanah meals, there are many other delicious options that still feel celebratory — from lamb, chicken and fish to hearty veggie options everyone will enjoy.
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Many of these recipes are more than just delicious, incorporating simanim (symbolic foods representing our wishes for the upcoming year, such as honey, pomegranates, leeks, beets and more) to make your New Year meal all the more meaningful.
And with recipes drawing inspiration from Jewish culinary traditions around the world — from Georgia to Tunisia, Syria to Morocco and beyond — this list is a reminder that holiday food can be varied, colorful and novel, while still honoring generations-old Jewish customs.
Is your stomach rumbling yet? Dig in!
Brisket
French Onion Brisket
A flavorful, modern twist on the classic High Holiday brisket. Easy to make ahead and will feed a Rosh Hashanah crowd.
Saucy Seitan Brisket
A savory, seitan-based vegetarian brisket that captures the nostalgic, slow-braised flavors of the Jewish holiday classic — without the meat.
Garlic Braised Brisket
A stunning yet simple braised brisket recipe to warm your soul.
Fig and Pomegranate Brisket
Adeena Sussman’s brisket recipe is simultaneously homey and elegant.
Pulled Mushroom and Tofu Vegan Brisket
Savory pulled mushrooms and tofu make the perfect plant-based holiday dish.
Soy and Ginger Braised Brisket
Incorporate new flavors into your brisket for a delightful twist on the classic!
Brisket with Hasselback Potatoes and Roasted Carrots
This delicious brisket can be a full meal and serves many.
The Juiciest Instant Pot Brisket
A classic Jewish American brisket recipe, with a tech-y twist.
Moroccan-Style Brisket with Dried Fruit and Capers
Classic holiday brisket, updated.
Vegetarian Brisket
The plant-based don’t need to miss out this Rosh Hashanah!
Apple Cider Brisket
Perfect for any meal.
Classic Brisket
This Jewish American staple is a favorite at every holiday.
Crockpot Sweet and Sour Brisket
A modern twist on a bubbe’s brisket, easy enough to throw together the morning of your meal.
Pomegranate Brisket with Cranberry Succotash
A sophisticated twist on a holiday classic.
Meat, Poultry and Fish
Short Ribs with Orange and Honey
So easy to prepare; let your oven do all the hard work for you.
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.
Crockpot Carne con Papas
An alternative to brisket, via Cuba.
The Best Tzimmes Recipe With Meat
This passed-down family recipe produces a rich and flavorful sweet stew for Rosh Hashanah, Passover or anytime you need a taste of Jewish comfort.
Tfina Pkaila
The ultimate Tunisian comfort food.
Jeweled Rosh Hashanah Plov
This special-occasion rice pilaf with beef is full of flavor and texture.
Syrian Stuffed Zucchini with Dried Fruit
A symbolic dish to begin the new year.
Simanim Soup
A treasured Spanish-Moroccan custom, this soup contains all the symbolic vegetables that are used in the Sephardic Rosh Hashanah seder, and is hearty enough to be a meal in itself.
Ginger Glazed Lamb and Beef Lollipops
Why opt for one meat when you can have two?
Lamb Tzimmes with Apricots and Harissa
A decadent take on a classic holiday dish.
Slow-Cooked Sweet and Sour Iraqi Lamb
This slow-cooked sweet-and-sour lamb with eggplant and tomatoes is tender, tangy and worthy of any celebration.
Lamb Stew with Pomegranate
A simple recipe with mouth-watering results.
Roasted Duck With Plums
A twist on an old-school classic.
Pomegranate and Honey Glazed Chicken
Tart, sweet and totally delicious.
Easy Roast Chicken with Dried Fruit
This go-to chicken recipe, with a glossy and delicious sauce, is perfect for Rosh Hashanah or Shabbat.
Moroccan-Inspired Tzimmes with Saffron, White Wine and Chicken
A fragrant, colorful take on a classic Rosh Hashanah dish.
Pomegranate Molasses Chicken Wings
For game day, cookouts, Rosh Hashanah or anytime you simply fancy a big plate of wings.
Honey Roasted Za’atar Chicken with Dried Fruit
Sweet and savory chicken? What could be better!
Instant Pot Georgian Pomegranate Chicken
A low-maintenance chicken recipe with Georgian Jewish influence.
Sheet Pan Tzimmes-Roasted Chicken Thighs
A sticky, schmaltzy, stress-free Rosh Hashanah meal.
One Pot Chicken with Potatoes and Dried Fruit
This tzimmes-coded chicken and potato braise, infused with prunes for a subtle sweetness, showcases the rich fusion of Central Asian, Persian and Soviet culinary traditions in a hearty, one-pot dish.
Tunisian Spicy Fish (Chraimeh)
Perfect for the holidays, think of this dish as the Mizrahi replacement of gefilte fish.
Sea Bass With Roasted Peppers and Herb Cream
A fresh, flavorful fish dish perfect for Rosh Hashanah or any celebratory meal.
Vegetarian
Hasselback Squash with Dates, Pistachios and Pomegranate
The perfect vegetarian main dish for Rosh Hashanah.
One-Pot Jeweled Rice
The addition of chickpeas turns this fresh, vibrant dish into a vegetarian one-pot meal.
Roasted Butternut Squash Galette
Everyone has their holiday favorites. For us, it’s this.
Roasted Beet and Leek Risotto
A vibrant, symbolic dish filled with blessings for the new year.
Couscous with Seven Vegetables
A great way to incorporate seasonal produce for a weeknight dinner or for Rosh Hashanah.
