Even if you’ve never cooked for Rosh Hashanah — or have never attended one — this year might be the perfect time to celebrate. Gather friends, share a delicious meal, and embrace the warmth and meaning of welcoming a new year.
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| “It can be as simple as just offering apples, honey and a good bottle of wine, or as elaborate as you want to make it," said Alon Shaya, the chef and founder of Pomegranate Hospitality. HUIZENG HU via Getty Images |
Rosh Hashanah carries special significance, especially in today’s world. As Lisa Fero, owner of the Jewish holiday decor and gift site Peace Love Light, explains, “With the rise in antisemitism, it’s more important than ever to celebrate the beauty of Judaism and teach our children to do the same.
As a grandchild of Holocaust survivors, I find it meaningful that I’m preparing meals and upholding the same traditions as my grandparents.”
Chef Einat Admony echoes this sentiment, “Celebrating these holidays helps me stay connected to my culture. It’s crucial, especially now, for the Jewish community to come together, spend time with family, and maintain the traditions passed down from our ancestors.”
Though creating a memorable Rosh Hashanah dinner can feel daunting, experts say it's easier than you think.
Encouragement from the Pros
Feeling the weight of tradition? Don't worry — this is a meal that’s surprisingly manageable, even for a novice cook. Chanie Nayman, editor of Kosher.com, says Rosh Hashanah is an ideal holiday to try out for the first time. “The foods aren’t as complicated and technique-based as, say, Passover sponge cake,” she says. The menu also isn’t as rigid, leaving room to experiment and add your personal touch.
Forbes advises, “Don’t stress about perfection. Your effort and heart will shine through, and that’s what your guests will remember. Include recipes that reflect your personal taste or modernize an old favorite.”
Must-Have Dishes
The traditional foods of Rosh Hashanah carry symbolic meaning. Here are some menu essentials:
Apples dipped in honey: A symbol of sweetness and hope for the coming year.
Challah: Often round, representing the cyclical nature of life and the seasons.
Brisket or roasted chicken: Hearty and comforting, often served as a main dish.
Fish: Often served with the head intact, symbolizing the wish to be “the head and not the tail” in the new year.
Pomegranates: Representing the hope for a year full of good deeds, as their many seeds symbolize abundance.
An ideal menu might begin with honey-dipped apples and round challah, followed by a light soup like matzo ball or butternut squash. For the main course, slow-cooked brisket paired with a pomegranate salad works beautifully. Roasted vegetables like carrots and beets, both colorful and symbolic, round out the table. For dessert, honey cake is traditional, though adding a more unique dish, like a fig and almond tart, can be a welcome surprise.
Tackling Brisket … Or Not
Brisket is often the star of the Rosh Hashanah table, but it doesn’t have to be intimidating. Chef Lior Lev Sercarz points out that brisket isn’t universal — he never ate it growing up in Israel but enjoys it now.
For those worried about drying it out, both Sercarz and chef Alon Shaya recommend low-and-slow cooking. Shaya advises using a meat thermometer to prevent overcooking, and if in doubt, cook it the day before and simply reheat it before serving.
For an alternative, Admony suggests Fesenjan chicken, a Persian dish slow-cooked with pomegranate and walnuts, or Moroccan tanzia, a rich dish featuring roast root vegetables, dried fruit, and nuts.
Try Something New
One easy tradition to incorporate is serving a fruit you’ve never tried before. Nayman suggests visiting an Asian market for exotic options. Display the new fruit in an attractive bowl to create a lovely centerpiece.
Hosting Tips
Preparing ahead can make hosting less stressful. Amy Becker, founder of What Jew Wanna Eat, recommends making dishes that can be prepared in advance so you can enjoy time with your guests. If someone offers to bring a dish, accept their help!
Nayman advises creating lists for everything: the menu, the guest list, and where you’ll shop for ingredients. “I like to plan toppings, dressings, and garnishes well before the meal. Many of these can be made days in advance, helping me stay organized on the day of.”
Welcoming Sweetness and Reflection
It’s easy to get caught up in the preparations, but don’t forget to take a step back and remember the deeper meaning of Rosh Hashanah. Forbes reminds us, “Even if you’re not particularly religious, there’s something grounding about participating in these customs. Rosh Hashanah is a time for reflection, renewal, and connection.”
Ultimately, the heart of the holiday lies in gathering loved ones, welcoming the sweetness of a new year, and embracing hope for the future. As Forbes says, “When you invite people over, you’re not just serving food but creating a space for tradition, conversation, and togetherness.”
With a little preparation and thoughtfulness, hosting your first Rosh Hashanah can be a beautiful and meaningful experience — one that connects you to tradition while making room for new memories.
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