Fall is almost here, which means it's time for a Rosh Hashanah Recipe Roundup! This collection of vegan and gluten-free recipes was gathered with the Jewish New Year in mind, but it is delicious enough that everyone will find something to enjoy as the seasons change.
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year! It's one of Judaism's holiest days and is celebrated in the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar, which almost always falls between September and October. Rosh Hashanah commemorates the creation of the world and kicks off 10 days of introspection, ending with Yom Kippur. Observant Jews (including me and my family!) consider Rosh Hashanah a time for prayer, good deeds, and making amends. The food we eat during the Rosh Hashanah meal is all very symbolic of positivity and sweetness in the year to come, so cooking and creating recipes for this time feels extra special. This Rosh Hashanah Recipe Roundup is filled with my favorites, and I've included a bit about their meaning in case you're curious!
Apple Recipes For a Sweet New Year
Apples are one of the most popular parts of a Rosh Hashanah meal! They signify a sweet beginning to the new year and in modern Rosh Hashanah meals they're included in so many different ways. I've gathered all of my favorite apple recipes so you can include gluten-free and vegan apple recipes in your Rosh Hashanah celebration!
- Easy Instant Pot Homemade Applesauce
- Easy Sautéed Cinnamon Apples
- Instant Pot Apple Butter (Free of Refined Sugar!)
- Easy Vegan Apple Crisp
- Apple Bundt Cake with an Easy Glaze
- Easy Apple Nachos
- Blender Vegan Apple Muffins with Cinnamon Streusel Topping
- Homemade Spiced Apple Cider
- Apple Ring Sandwiches
See my entire apple recipe round-up organized by breakfast, snacks, salads and desserts!
Appetizers
Did you know pomegranates are a traditional fruit for Rosh Hashanah? They signify new or unusual experiences, something I love as a part of a celebration for a new year! The way a pomegranate is full of seeds also reminds us to be full of good deeds and kindness as well as prosperity and abundance, which are such beautiful thoughts. There are also 613 seeds in a pomegranate, and 613 commandments! I love including pomegranates as a salad or hummus topping or included in a drink, like my Cranberry Pomegranate Spritzer.
- Cranberry Pomegranate Spritzer
- Maple Roasted Butternut Squash Hummus with Pomegranate Seeds
- Sweet and Salty Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
- Simplified Israeli-Style Hummus
- Sweet and Spiced Roasted Chickpeas
- Creamy Vanilla Cinnamon Fruit Dip (perfect paired with apples)
- Garlic Pumpkin Hummus
- Sweet Potato Rounds with Vegan Ricotta, Toasted Walnuts and Pomegranate Seeds
- Best Ever Creamy Beet Hummus
Sides
I have a few carrot recipes in this Rosh Hashanah Recipe Roundup because carrots symbolize a desire to let go of past mistakes, enjoy increased blessings, and focusing on family joy. Of course, there are many other kinds of sides listed here as well, so there is something for everyone to enjoy! Sides just might be my favorite part of any holiday meal.
- Maple Roasted Butternut Squash or Maple Sugar Roasted Kabocha Squash Recipe
- Instant Pot Vegan Mashed Potatoes
- Hemp Seed-Crusted Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Green Tahini Sauce
- Roasted Whole Rainbow Carrots over Creamy Hummus with Green Tahini Sauce
- Crispy Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Restaurant-Style Sautéed Mushrooms
- Walnut-Crusted Roasted Delicata Squash
- Easy Maple Glazed Sautéed Carrots
- Crispy Oven Roasted Cauliflower
- Crispy Smashed Potatoes
- Best Vegan Mashed Potatoes
- Vegan Mashed Cauliflower with Roasted Garlic
- How to Make Perfectly Cooked Quinoa
- No-Fuss Seasoned Baked Sweet Potatoes
- Mini Hasselback Potatoes with Garlic and Herb Vegan Aioli
- Herb Roasted Root Vegetables
- Simple Sautéed Broccoli with Garlic
- Crispy Harissa Cauliflower with Tahini, Dates, Toasted Pine Nuts, Mint & Dill (new!)
Soups
I chose soups with butternut squash and pumpkin in them because they're in season during Rosh Hashanah, but also because gourds have symbolic meaning! The Hebrew word for gourd sounds like both the words "to rip" and "to announce." Because of this, gourds represent our bad deeds being ripped, while the good ones are announced.
- Easy Vegan Blender Pumpkin Soup
- Easy Instant Pot Vegan Butternut Squash Soup
- Best Creamy Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with Roasted Garlic
- Butternut Squash Coconut Orzo Soup (vegan + gluten-free)
Salads
Did you know the Hebrew word for beet is "selek," which sounds like the word for "remove"? Eating beets is an expression of hope that our enemies will depart...plus, I love combining beets with a sweet ingredient like apples or pomegranates. The perfect combination for Rosh Hashanah!
- Vegan Beet Tzatziki Salad
- Spinach Quinoa Salad with Roasted Blueberry Vinaigrette
- Maple Roasted Butternut Squash and Apple Quinoa Salad
- Vegan Apple Arugula Salad with Candied Walnuts, Dates, and Feta
- Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad with Candied Pecans, Green Apples, and Pomegranates
- Pear & Roasted Beet Arugula Salad with Hazelnuts
- Sauces and dressings: Easy Creamy Vegan Tahini Sauce, Chermoula Sauce, Dijon-Agave Apple Cider Vinaigrette, and Vegan Tzatziki Sauce
Rosh Hashanah Recipe Roundup: Entrees
The main event! I've got a variety of entrees here, and they include many of the symbolic foods I mentioned above. These dishes are delicious, savory, filling, and easy to make, while all being totally vegan and gluten-free!
- Mushroom-Walnut Balls
- Vegan Pumpkin Risotto
- Instant Pot Vegan Mushroom Risotto
- One-Skillet Baked Butternut Squash Pasta with Sage
- Vegan Mediterranean Quinoa Bowl
- Cauliflower Steak Marbella with Roasted Chickpeas
- Easy Moroccan Chickpeas
- Orzo with Sautéed Veggies
- Quinoa Pecan Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash with Pomegranate Seeds
- Creamy Vegan Pink Pasta made with Beets
- Caramelized Onion Apple Pasta with Sage (vegan + gluten-free)
- Creamy Vegan Butternut Squash Pasta with Caramelized Onions
Desserts
Since Rosh Hashanah is all about sweet new beginnings, we eat a lot of sweeter foods! As you can see, everything in Judaism is symbolic, and we love our food. I hope this Rosh Hashanah Recipe Roundup has given you some good ideas for delicious foods to put on your table this fall, whether you celebrate Jewish holidays or not!
- Apple Bundt Cake with an Easy Glaze
- Easy Vegan Apple Crisp
- Cranberry and Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal Cookies
- Soft and Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
- Easy Vanilla Blender Icing
- Easy Maple Cinnamon Vanilla Baked Pears
- Best Fluffy Vegan Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cookies (refined sugar-free)
If you make any of these recipes, I hope you'll tag me on Instagram so I can see your delicious creations! You can also leave a review on any of the individual posts to help others find and make these vegan, soy-free, refined sugar-free, and gluten-free dishes.
Rachel betesh says
Hi do you hace recipe of falafel yo sand me pasa.
Elaine Gordon says
Hi, Rachel! Yes, I do! Here it is: https://www.eatingbyelaine.com/crispy-quinoa-falafel-bowls-gluten-free-nut-free-vegan/
And, this is my recipe for Chickpea Fritters: https://www.eatingbyelaine.com/dijon-chickpea-fritters-gluten-free/
I hope this helps! Happy New Year!
Alene says
Thank you for these! Our havurah, who normally gets together for holidays since our families are elsewhere, isn't doing that again this year. It is so discouraging. We are in Florida. I am always looking for new Jewish holiday recipes though, and it will have to be for two, again. May you have a sweet and healthy new year!
Elaine Gordon says
Oh, Alene! I'm so sorry this year is looking different again... I hope these recipes help make your dinner for two special and sweet. Be sure to check out my Hanukkah recipe round up this winter and my Passover Recipe Round Up in the spring! Happy and healthy new year to you and yours 🙂 Best, Elaine