33 Rosh Hashanah Food​ To Celebrate The New Year

Rosh Hashanah food​ is delicious and meaningful. Celebrants look forward to this holiday (and the holiday feast) every year. The only trick is balancing traditional eats with modern delights, along with some easy-to-whip-up bites. 

Like Passover food and Hanukkah food, Rosh Hashanah food includes the traditional menu choices along with the foods to avoid. This article includes everything you need to know to follow the holiday’s dietary guidelines. 

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• Traditional Rosh Hashanah Food (Simanim)
• Typical Rosh Hashanah Food
• Modern Rosh Hashanah Food
• Easy Rosh Hashanah Food
• Rosh Hashanah Food Restrictions

Traditional Rosh Hashanah Food (Simanim)

There's a special ceremony for the blessing and eating of symbolic foods on the first night of Rosh Hashanah, called simanim meelta (significant omens) and based on a Talmudic teaching that means: "Signs are important." In Jewish law, this means that if someone can give a good, clear description of something — like what it looks like or something special about it — that sign (called a siman) can be used to prove who it belongs to or what it is.

This idea comes from the Talmud, in a book called Bava Metzia (page 27a). It talks about what happens if someone finds a lost object. Can the person who lost it get it back just by describing it? The answer is yes — if the description is clear and unique enough, the rabbis say it's okay to return the object based on that. For example, if someone says, "I lost a red backpack with a tear on the right strap," and that matches what was found, that's a strong siman.

On Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, many families eat special foods called simanim — that word means "signs" in Hebrew. These foods are eaten because each one is a symbol or "sign" for something we hope will happen in the new year. It's like a tasty way to pray for good things! The foods include: 

1. Apples and honey – for a sweet new year, that we should have a good and sweet year.
2. Pomegranate – so our good deeds will be as many as the seeds.
3. Carrots (in Yiddish meren) and fenugreek – because it sounds like the word for "increase" – we hope our merits (good deeds) will increase.
4. Head of a fish or lamb – to be like the "head" and not the "tail," meaning we should be leaders, not followers. 
5. Fish - that we be fruitful and multiply.
6. Leeks, cabbage, dates, beets – each has a pun or prayer in Hebrew or Aramaic asking for good things or for enemies to go away and our adversaries be defeated.
7. Gourd - in Hebrew, the word "kara" means gourd, but it also sounds like the words "to tear" (likroa) and "to read out" (likro). So, the gourd is a symbol or a sign for something we want in the year ahead, such as bad judgments being torn up and good deeds being read out in Heaven.

As you can see, the Rosh Hashanah meal is steeped in tradition. Now that you have the traditional foods down and understand the usual suspects, let's move on to some other tasty dishes and Rosh Hashanah food ideas. 

Typical Rosh Hashanah Food

These Rosh Hashanah foods combine typical Jewish cuisine with the simanim to create delicious flavors. 

1. Matzah Ball Soup

This comforting soup is a Jewish holiday classic, and it often graces Rosh Hashanah tables, even though it's meant for the Passover meal. Made from matzo meal dumplings simmered in savory chicken broth, it’s a dish rich with flavor and nostalgia. You can slow-simmer it or make it in an Instant Pot. Either way, Matzah Ball Soup is warm and tastes like coming home.

2. Sweet and Sour Brisket

Brisket has long been a centerpiece of Ashkenazi Jewish holiday meals. This version, popular in American Jewish kitchens, balances sweet and sour flavors. You can use ketchup, vinegar and brown sugar. It pairs hearty nourishment with symbolic sweetness for the year ahead.

3. Gefilte Fish

This poached blend of ground fish, like carp or whitefish, is served chilled and topped with horseradish. While it's easy to find jarred, homemade versions offer fresher, subtler flavors. As a staple of Ashkenazi holiday meals, gefilte fish honors generations past and remains a cherished appetizer on Rosh Hashanah.

4. Kosher Potato Kugel

Golden and crisp on the outside, soft within, potato kugel is an Ashkenazi comfort dish made from shredded potatoes, onions and eggs. Served as a side to brisket or chicken, it’s both hearty and satisfying. This staple is a delicious way to anchor the holiday meal with tradition.

5. Roasted Chicken With Leeks and Potatoes

Leeks (karti in Hebrew) are traditionally eaten during Rosh Hashanah as a wish to cut off adversaries. Roasting chicken with leeks and potatoes upgrades this ingredient into a flavorful main dish that carries spiritual significance.

6. Kreplach (Chicken and Liver Dumplings)

These dumplings are filled with chicken, liver or beef and typically boiled and served in soup. Kreplach are associated with Rosh Hashanah and other Jewish festivals, symbolizing hidden blessings. Making them is a really fun and inclusive family ritual, and the rich, meaty filling makes each bite a warm, savory delight.

7. Teiglach

Sticky, sweet and sentimental, teiglach are tiny dough knots boiled in honey syrup and often garnished with nuts or dried fruit. Served as a dessert during Rosh Hashanah, they represent wishes for a sweet new year. Their caramelized crunch brings both joy and tradition to the table.

8. Stuffed Artichoke Hearts With Celery

Stuffed vegetables are a hallmark of Jewish holiday cooking, representing abundance. This Israeli-style dish fills tender artichoke hearts with seasoned ground beef and bright herbs. It’s a flavorful, festive nod to the Sephardic Jewish table and a common addition to any Rosh Hashanah spread.

9. Ashe Anar (Pomegranate Soup With Meatballs)

Ashe Anar is a Persian soup made with tart pomegranate juice, herbs and meatballs. It’s a traditional dish among Iranian Jews and is served on Rosh Hashanah because the pomegranate symbolizes mitzvot (good deeds) and abundance. The soup’s richness makes it a common Rosh Hashanah food.

10. Iraqi Dumpling Soup With Green Beans

This beloved Iraqi-Jewish dish, known as kubbeh soup, features semolina dumplings filled with meat, simmered in a vegetable broth. Variations include beets, okra or green beans. It’s traditionally served on Shabbat and holidays like Rosh Hashanah, reflecting a history of layered flavors and diasporic adaptation.

11. Yemenite Beef and White Bean Stew

This slow-cooked stew draws from Yemenite Jewish tradition, where spice blends like hawaij give depth to holiday meals. It’s a warming dish that can be served during Rosh Hashanah and captures the essence of Jewish diasporic foods.

Modern Rosh Hashanah Food

Your Rosh Hashanah food menu should include some modern, fun foods along with the traditional. Combine age old traditions with a modern twist for a fun surprise at the dinner table. 

12. Apple and Honey Challah

This updated challah weaves two Rosh Hashanah symbols, apples and honey, into the dough itself. Round challah symbolizes the cycle of the year, while the fruit and sweetener represent hopes for a sweet new beginning. 

13. Beef Kofta Curry

Spiced kofta (meatballs) served in a rich curry sauce blend Middle Eastern and Indian Jewish influences. Though not traditional Rosh Hashanah fare, dishes like this one reflect the diversity of Jewish cooking and offer a bold, satisfying main course for the holiday. Just don't make it too spicy as this is not allowed during the celebration. 

14. Arugula Salad With Fenugreek

While salads are a relatively recent addition to traditional Jewish holiday meals, this one strikes a balance between modern tastes and seasonal symbolism. Fresh apples and fenugreek nod to the holiday’s core themes, while arugula brings brightness and crunch. It’s a contemporary way to include meaningful ingredients.

15. Timman w'Basal (Crispy Iraqi Rice With Onions)

In Iraqi Jewish homes, rice is often layered with caramelized onions and fragrant spices like cinnamon and turmeric. This dish represents both abundance and culinary heritage.

16. Plum Tart

Tarts are common in European Jewish baking, and a plum tart is a family favorite. Full of blue plums and aromatic spices, it blends Old World technique with fresh fruit to create a dessert that feels both traditional and modern.

17. Couscous Salad With Chickpeas

Couscous is a beloved staple in Sephardi and Mizrahi Jewish cuisine. Its many grains are symbolic of abundance and prosperity. In this light salad, couscous is tossed with chickpeas, cucumber and lemon for a flavorful dish that connects to North African Jewish culinary roots.

18. Coffee-Braised Brisket

Brisket became a Jewish holiday favorite in Eastern Europe because it was an affordable, slow-cooking cut of meat. In this modern twist, this dish is enhanced with espresso and dried fruit, layering old and new flavors into a rich, aromatic main course.

19. Rose Harissa and Pea Pilau

This North African-inspired rice pilaf is laced with rosewater and harissa for floral heat and vibrant flavor. Served with lamb or chicken, it brings a unique, fragrant flair to the holiday table, showcasing how contemporary Rosh Hashanah meals incorporate global Jewish flavors.

20. Baked Salmon Steaks With Dill

Fish has long symbolized fertility and abundance in Jewish tradition. This modern take uses baked salmon (a kosher favorite) paired with dill, lemon and sour cream for a clean and simple dish. It’s an elegant nod to tradition with a lighter, modern feel.

Easy Rosh Hashanah Food

Similar to Passover desserts, many of these Rosh Hashanah easy desserts and side meals are steeped in tradition. Plus, they’re incredibly easy to make.  

21. Caramelized Honey Cake

Honey cake is a time-honored Rosh Hashanah dessert symbolizing hopes for sweetness. This modern take includes caramelizing the honey for deeper flavor and improved texture. It’s simple to bake ahead and even better the next day.

22. Apple Pie Cake

This hybrid dessert likely evolved in American Jewish kitchens, blending classic apple cake with the rustic charm of pie. Apples are the iconic fruit of Rosh Hashanah, and this simple, warmly spiced dessert is an easy way to incorporate tradition without complicated prep.

23. Vegetarian Couscous Salad With Chickpeas

Couscous symbolizes abundance thanks to its tiny, plentiful grains, as do the seeds of the pomegranate. Tossed with chickpeas, cucumbers, bell peppers and lemony dressing, this North African-inspired salad is easy to prepare and refreshing alongside richer dishes.

24. Halwa With Coconut Milk and Saffron

From the Bene Israel Jewish community of India, this saffron-tinted halwa is made with coconut milk and semolina. While it sounds exotic, it’s an approachable stovetop dessert that brings warmth, global flair and sweetness to the Rosh Hashanah table.

25. Tomato, Onion and Amba Salad

This tangy salad, paired with fermented mango amba sauce, is a quick and vibrant addition to any meal. It draws from Iraqi Jewish tradition and adds brightness and bold flavor without requiring much prep. It’s a great way to balance heavier courses.

26. Roasted Cauliflower With Pomegranate

This simple side dish features cauliflower roasted with warm spices like turmeric and cumin, then topped with pomegranate seeds (symbolic of mitzvot and good deeds). It’s colorful, easy to make and full of holiday meaning.

27. Apple and Date Challah Bread Pudding

A clever way to use up leftover challah, this dish combines apples (for a sweet year) and dates (a traditional siman) into a cozy dessert. Baked until golden and soft, it’s an easy, make-ahead option perfect for fall.

28. Fried Eggplant With Mint Dressing

Fried eggplant appears in many Sephardi and Mizrahi Jewish cuisines. This version, served with a cooling mint and garlic dressing, is simple but flavorful. Though eggplant is sometimes avoided by communities that avoid dark foods, others embrace it for its richness and versatility.

29. Roasted Beet Salad With Crumbled Feta

Beets (called selek in Hebrew) are traditionally served on Rosh Hashanah to symbolize the removal of adversaries. This salad elevates the siman with roasted red and golden beets, creamy feta and fresh greens, offering a balance of symbolism and ease.

30. Tzimmes

Tzimmes, a sweet carrot and dried fruit stew, is a classic Ashkenazi dish served on Rosh Hashanah and other holidays. The word "tzimmes" means "a fuss," but this easy recipe is anything but a fuss. It blends sweet potatoes, carrots and honey into a comforting side dish full of festive flavor.

31. Dried Fruit Compote

Fruit compote has been a staple in Jewish homes for generations, especially in Eastern Europe. On Rosh Hashanah, its sweetness is symbolic of blessings and abundance. This easy dish simmers dried fruits in syrup for a make-ahead Rosh Hashanah food​ that improves with time.

32. Honey Glazed Baby Carrots

Carrots represent prosperity, and when glazed in honey, they align perfectly with Rosh Hashanah’s sweet theme. This simple Rosh Hashanah food​ and side dish is kid-friendly, quick to prepare and ideal for balancing richer dishes on the holiday table.

33. Baked Apples with Cinnamon and Honey

Baked apples are a simple yet meaningful Rosh Hashanah dessert. Apples symbolize the sweetness we wish for in the new year, and when filled with cinnamon, nuts and a drizzle of honey, they become a warm, fragrant treat. 

Rosh Hashanah Food Restrictions

Wondering what not to eat on Rosh Hashanah? Well, Rosh Hashanah celebrates sweetness and renewal. Because of this, some foods are traditionally avoided to help set the tone for a positive year ahead. These customs are rooted in both symbolism and practical concerns, but they vary slightly among the different Jewish communities. 

The overall goal remains the same: to keep the new year free of bad omens. Here’s what to steer clear of during your Rosh Hashanah meals.

1. Nuts (Especially Walnuts)

Nuts were once included on the Rosh Hashanah table, but today they’re commonly avoided for several reasons.

• Phlegm: Nuts may cause throat congestion, making it harder to pray
• Symbolism: In Hebrew, egoz (walnut) shares a gematria (numerical value) with cheit (sin)
• Historical concerns: Nuts were once used in gambling games, which rabbis discouraged during sacred meals

Some communities only avoid walnuts, while others skip all types of nuts unless they’re finely ground and hidden in recipes.

2. Salt

Though not universally prohibited, salt is seen as a "non-sweet" addition to the meal. Instead of the usual salt dip for challah, many households use sugar during the Hamotzi blessing. Some Tunisian Jews go so far as to avoid salt altogether for Rosh Hashanah.

3. Sour or Bitter Foods

Because Rosh Hashanah emphasizes sweetness for a sweet year, it's customary to avoid foods with sour or bitter flavors. This custom dates back to the Babylonian Geonim period and is still widely practiced by both Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews. 

That means:

• No lemon juice or vinegar in salads
• No unripe or overly tart fruits
• Some traditions even extend this restriction until after Simchat Torah

4. Black or Dark-Colored Foods

Black foods are traditionally seen as bad omens. Items avoided include:

• Black grapes 
• Eggplant
• Black olives
• Dark stews like pkaila (Tunisian chard dish)
• Dark drinks like black coffee or cola

These are avoided because dark hues may symbolize death or misfortune.

5. Spicy Foods

Spicy dishes are often avoided as they may symbolize strife or harshness. Some rabbis allow a mild amount of heat if it enhances the flavor. Interestingly, others even see “sharp” foods as symbolically helpful, hoping they lead to sharpness in Torah learning. Restrictions depend on personal and community customs.

Rosh Hashanah is more than just the start of a new calendar year. It’s a sacred time for reflection, hope and renewal. The Rosh Hashanah foods we prepare and share during this holiday carry deep symbolic meaning, from sweet apples dipped in honey to round challahs that remind us of life’s cycles. The focus remains on creating a joyful, intentional table that nourishes both body and soul.

For even more fun foodie ideas for the New Year, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!