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Rosh Hashanah

65+ Rosh Hashanah Recipes You Can Freeze Ahead

Kosher.com Staff August 27, 2019

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We’re going to get right to the point. Rosh Hashanah is quickly approaching, and well, we want to be ready for it! So we’re diving head-first into the holiday season and starting on the cooking to lessen our stress later on.

We recommend starting with recipes like beef and chicken roasts, soups, sides and desserts. Then, the week of, all that’s left to do is toss together some salads, roast some veggies, put up your feet, and enjoy the New Year with loved ones.

However, keep in mind that wrapping and storing your food well is important for preventing freezer burn. Check out these articles for some freezer tips:

Make the Most of Your Freezer Real Estate
9 Things You Need to Know Before You Freeze Food for Yom Tov
Freezing and Defrosting for Yom Tov

Now, let’s get to the delicious freezer-friendly recipes!

Rosh Hashanah Appetizers, Mains, and Sides

Rosh Hashanah is a wonderful time of year to feast with friends and family. This beloved Jewish holiday is a great time to try out a new appetizer, entree, or side. Enjoy these Rosh Hashanah recipes to make your meal perfect from the first dish to the main event.

  1. Pomegranate Glazed Prime Bola by Penina Ehreich
    THIS is your Rosh Hashanah showstopper. It’s sweet and tangy and super soft.
  2. Rainbow Tzimmes Chicken by Richelle Tarko
    While rainbow carrots add special color to the dish, regular orange carrots are perfectly fine too.
  3. Caramelized Onion, Honey, and Chestnut Chicken by Tammy Israel
    Full of flavor and easy to put together- you can’t go wrong with adding this chicken, caramelized onion and chestnut dish to your menu.
  4. Pomegranate-Glazed French Roast by Chani Salzer
    Pomegranate is my new favorite ingredient. I try to incorporate it into as many recipes as I can. This one is definitely one of my best experiments and it worked on the first try!
  5. Montreal Spiced Braised Brisket by Shifra Klein
    This recipe is provided through Masbia’s Emergency Trailer Drive. Masbia Soup Kitchen Network’s COVID-19 Relief Mobilization started in the beginning of March and is battling this historic food crisis with 500% more emergency food than before the outbreak. At the current rate, over twelve tractor trailer loads are given out every single week to the people standing on those unprecedented breadlines.
  6. Glazed Corned Beef by Brynie Greisman
    It was snowing in Jerusalem when I decided that it was a perfect time to get into the kitchen (not sure when I’m actually out of the kitchen!!) and do my experimenting. What better way to warm up the house? So I made bread and soup and more soup, and then I was fiddling with different ingredients to create this glaze. I was so excited that I ran (in the snow!) to my connoisseur friend, Rochel, and told her to give me her opinion. When she said just one word: “Heaven,” I knew this recipe was in. Sweet, tangy, and unique.
  7. Creamy Vegetable Soup by Brynie Greisman
    Roasting the veggies first to slightly caramelize them adds delicious depth and flavor to this soup. The chickpeas thicken it, and the coconut milk adds an irresistible creaminess. Freezes well, too.
  8. Chicken Piquant by Brynie Greisman
    This Rosh Hashanah chicken recipe yields the perfect, succulent savory sauce and a delicate smoky flavor. It works well as either an appetizer or entree and can be tackled even by beginner cooks who want a simple main dish for the holiday.
  9. Barbecue-Flavored Roast by Brynie Greisman
    A good roast is the centerpiece of any celebration and this one is cooked low and slow with all of the great, smoky spices, which are elevated by the addition of honey and apple juice. The tangy depth and hint of sweetness is just perfect for a showstopping main dish.
  10. Vegetable Soup for a Simcha from the Nitra Cookbook
    Offer up a delightful, light, healthy vegetarian soup for Rosh Hashanah: this soup recipe starts with a veggie-based stock and includes an assortment of root veggies, beans, and barley to give it a great bite.
  11. Silver Tip Roast with Roasted Butternut Squash by Faigy Murray
    This is a delicate, delicious roast perfect for any Yom Tov table. The meat is marinated in pomegranate juice and chicken broth and the healthy addition of butternut squash provides a creamy texture to eat alongside the roast of your choice.
  12. Peach-Pomegranate-Barbecue Sauce Flanken by Michal Frischman
    Flanken is a meat cut fit for the Yom Tov table, and the perfect medium-rare main dish to cook for Rosh Hashanah. It is a great prepare-ahead main dish, and this recipe calls for the addition of peach and pomegranate to lift the flavor profile with a fruity spin.
  13. Salami Hasselback Chicken by Daniella Silver
    This chicken dish for the Rosh Hashanah holiday is an indulgence: chicken breasts are stuffed with salami and topped with a tangy sweet and sour sauce. Cook this dish as an entree or use the modified recipe to make smaller, appetizer-sized versions.
  14. Perfect Whole-Wheat Challah by Chumi Borenstein
    The perfect challah may feel elusive, but this whole-wheat version is practically error-proof. Get the perfect, fluffy texture and the caramelized outer coating by following Chumi Borenstein’s classic recipe, with a healthy whole-wheat twist.
  15. Yom Tov Tzimmes by Brynie Greisman
    Tzimmes is a must-have Rosh Hashanah side dish, and the smell of preparation may bring back memories of your own. This classic recipe uses multi-colored carrots, prunes, pineapple, and honey with spices to make a tantalizing sweet side.
  16. Pomegranate Red Wine Chicken by Michal Frischman
    Crispy, tender chicken, and tangy, crunchy pomegranate seeds, all served on a bed of fluffy rice: what’s not to love? The sauce from this recipe is a beautiful pomegranate juice and red wine reduction with maple syrup and spices, and can be easily used to top any type of meat or vegetables.
  17. Sweet-and-Succulent Ribs by Rivky Kleiman
    Think outside the roast: ribs for Rosh Hashanah may be your family’s new favorite tradition. With this recipe, you can make the perfect ribs every time, topped with sweet browned onions and accompanied by plenty of tangy sauce.
  18. Pomegranate and Red Wine Reduction Glazed Beef by Sharon Lurie
    Symbolic pomegranates, figs, dates, pumpkin, and carrots are all together in this happy glazed beef dish. Enjoy a hearty main dish made from any preferred cut of beef and surrounded by flavorful steamed veggies and dried herbs.
  19. Cauliflower and Leek Soup by Rivky Kleiman
    From family table to family table, cauliflower and leek soup is an unctuous, comforting, filling soup that is perfect for starting the Rosh Hashanah meal. Easily made ahead and frozen, this soup has just a hint of sherry and a dash of spice and is perfect during the holidays or any time of year.
  20. Pastrami Lukshen Kugelettes by Miriam (Pascal) Cohen
    Finger-friendly Rosh Hashanah food that you can freeze in advance? The perfect solution for busy cooks who still want to wow the celebratory table, this recipe for kugelettes features pastrami, spicy mustard, diced onions, fine egg noodles, and crispy fried onions.
  21. Winning with Wine Brisket by Estee Kafra
    Wine is often a side note in a good brisket recipe, but in this one, it practically sings. Our sommelier suggests Flechas de Los Andes Gran Malbec, but any dry or semi-sweet red wine of your choice will work to perfectly soften and flavor the meat.
  22. Flanken Onion Soup by Michal Frischman
    Caramelized onions are the star of the broth, flavoring flanken or any meat of your choice into a hearty soup that can be made ahead in a crock pot, then frozen for Rosh Hashanah or any other occasion. Simple seasoning and bone-in flanken preparation make this hearty stock and filling soup a winning choice.
  23. Cauliflower and Leek Soufflé by Rivky Kleiman
    This is a spectacular take on a classic Jewish kugel recipe and is easy to prepare. The French-inspired pastry dish is buttery and light, then filled with softened veggies, egg, and onion flavoring for a sweet and savory side dish.
  24. Overnight Veal Roast Bake by Rivky Kleiman
    Decrease cooking preparation time and increase family fun: this overnight veal roast bake is a fan-favorite that has sweet and tangy flavors with honey, chili powder, cayenne pepper, and smoked paprika.
  25. Butternut Squash Kugel by Brynie Greisman
    An easy freeze-ahead Rosh Hashanah side dish? Creamy, mouthwatering filling is topped by a sugary nut topping for the perfect crunch. The kugel is contained in its own pastry shell, making this an easy dish to pass around as a side or enjoy on a dessert table.
  26. Best-Ever Carrot Loaf by Rivky Kleiman
    Carrot loaf is the perfect slice of dessert bread to prepare and freeze before the holidays. Fresh carrots, a hint of cinnamon, and high-quality vanilla extract work together to make a sweet and satisfying dish. Pull it out anytime, and enjoy a healthy snack with a cup of tea or coffee.
  27. Honey Barbecue Ribs by Rivky Kleiman
    Short ribs with honey are a wonderful main dish to celebrate Rosh Hashanah or any family gathering. In this recipe, you will use simple ingredients, expertly prepared, to soak short ribs in a honey marinade for a mouthwatering result.
  28. Onion Noodle Kugel by Brynie Greisman
    Create a winning appetizer that is loosely based on a sweet lukshen kugel or Yerushalmi kugel. A pudding texture is achieved with beaten eggs, flavored by onion soup mix, and topped with sugar and crunchy, thin noodles.
  29. Pomegranate Honey-Glazed Salmon by Naomi Nachman
    Salmon is a great, moist fish that is hearty enough to prepare ahead and freeze without drying out. For this salmon recipe, use Heaven and Earth pomegranate juice and Gefen honey to make a sweet sauce, then top with pomegranate seeds for a surprise crunch and eye-catching garnish.
  30. Sweet ‘n’ Sour Tongue from the Dining In Cookbook
    Kosher, Passover, Rosh Hashanah: this main dish may become a staple for all of your Jewish holiday celebrations. Finely chopped onion, tart lemon juice, brown sugar, and dried raisins and apricots bring classic flavors to an entree of pickled tongue.
  31. Turkey Goulash by Brynie Greisman
    Hearty, filling, and feeds the whole family: turkey goulash is a lighter spin on a traditional stew. This simple recipe includes raisins or prunes to make it Rosh-Hashanah ready, and the recipe can easily be frozen in portions and thawed the day of your lunch or dinner.
  32. Slow-Roasted Herb-Crusted Brick Roast by Chanie Nayman
    Herbs add a beautiful flavor profile to any cut of beef, and this slow-roasted recipe is a wonderful entree for a holiday table. Fresh parsley and fresh basil set a bright, herbal tone, which is underscored by the addition of tart Dijon mustard and smooth Gefen honey.
  33. Roasted Carrot Soup by Michal Frischman
    Root vegetable soups, like this roasted carrot soup recipe, are a great frozen meal to pull out anytime. Use this soup recipe for Rosh Hashanah to start a meal, or as a perfect brunch or lunch addition. Finely sliced carrots, onions, and celery root are gently cooked in chicken broth for a sweet and savory soup everyone will enjoy.
  34. Cranberry-Glazed French Roast by Rorie Weisberg
    Berries and fruit are a must for some of your Rosh Hashanah recipes, including the main dish. Cook a French roast with maximum flavor by adding an array of spices and oils, as well as cranberry jam, dry red wine, barbecue sauce, orange juice, and coconut aminos. The result? Complex, outstanding flavor that may become an annual addition to your menu.
  35. Silan Chicken by Sina Mizrahi
    All of the simanim are on display in this fantastic silan chicken recipe: enjoy a chicken dish with prunes, raisins, apricots, and shallots, marinated in date syrup and brown sugar. This softens the meat and is wonderful served with quinoa, couscous, or brown rice.
  36. Vegetable and Cabbage Soup by Brynie Greisman
    Sauteed vegetables provide an earthy, smoky flavor to this blended soup. Root veggies, including carrots, celery, butternut squash, and potatoes are added to cabbage and frozen herbs for a winning flavor and texture combination. This is a healthy soup recipe, great for freezing, and has no added fat. It’s perfect served with a parve or fleishig seudah.
  37. Moroccan Chicken by Naomi Nachman
    This recipe was developed for Manischewitz and provides Moroccan flavors with all of the wonderful spices and dried fruit. Coriander, cumin, turmeric, nutmeg, paprika, and saffron are used alongside dried dates and apricots to create a flavorful, fragrant chicken dish for Rosh Hashanah.
  38. French Roast with Wine from the Nitra Cookbook
    An easy Rosh Hashanah roast is a mainstay for any holiday menu, and this one is simply seasoned with paprika, black pepper, onions, carrots, and your choice of white wine. Simple to assemble and easy to cook, it’s a great way for new cooks to create an upscale main dish.
  39. Sweet Noodle Kugelettes by Brynie Greisman
    Lukshen kugel isn’t just for Friday nights: this is a healthy version that is a great Rosh Hashanah appetizer. Fine noodles and whole wheat spaghetti form the perfect crunch, while the sweetness is provided by a mix of turbinado sugar, Haddar applesauce, and vanilla sugar for a healthier version of this favorite treat.
  40. Sweet Potato Apple Mini Loaves by Brynie Greisman
    Bake ahead dessert for Rosh Hashanah by cooking these healthy mini loaves. The classic cake is seasoned with nutmeg, cloves, and includes Granny Smith apples, sweet potatoes, and soy milk. Slice and pass around for a great breakfast, teatime snack, or dessert.

    Rosh Hashanah Desserts

    Chocolatey, fruity, pastry-based or cakes: Rosh Hashanah desserts are a must-have to round out any feast. Add some of these new recipes for baking or cooking desserts, all of which can be easily prepared in advance and frozen, to minimize your kitchen-time on the day of your celebration.

  41. Strawberry Daiquiri Mousse by Chavi Feldman
    Who doesn’t love all things strawberry? An easy and refreshingly light dessert, this mousse was devoured by all of my testers, adults and kids alike. Spiking the strawberry puree topping with rum adds that subtle twist that takes it from ordinary to extraordinary.
  42. Warm Chocolate Cobbler by Faigy Murray
    Trust the process, and you will yield a delicious, gooey chocolate cake that will be the perfect comforting end to any of your Yom Tov meals.
  43. Apple Bubble Ring by Brynie Greisman
    When my sisters and I were dating, my mother would try to have a yeast cinnamon cake or danish in the oven whenever we had a date, so the house would smell homey and welcoming. (If she was short on time, she sufficed with putting just cinnamon in the oven!) There is nothing quite like the tantalizing aroma of fresh yeast cake. This cake, filled with apples and pecans, smacks of fall. You will have just one ball, then another, then another …
  44. Date Roll Cookies by Sina Mizrahi
    These cookies are perfect, and I don’t say that lightly. They are a bakery staple I grew up with but only love the homemade version. The tender shortbread-ish crust wraps around sweet, sticky date paste in a union that even chocolate can’t improve. Make them plain first. After that (because there will be repeats), load them with halva, nuts, marzipan, chocolate chips; they handle it all. The powdered sugar dusts them beautifully, like a fresh blanket of snow. One batch makes plenty, so share the love.
  45. Perfect Honey Cookies with Honey Frosting for Rosh Hashanah by Faigy Grossmann
    Can you go into Rosh Hashanah without a jar of honey cookies?! These cookies are the perfect mix of crunchy outside, soft center, and all the delicious spices reminiscent of fall. They’re also super simple to make. Eat them straight out of the oven or jazz them up a bit with a drizzle of honey-flavored frosting.
  46. Silan Ice Cream by Rorie Weisberg
    Watch Rorie make this delicious parve silan ice cream with her famous Dip the Apple in Honey Cake, here!
  47. Fully-Loaded Hot Chocolate Chip Cups by Estee Kafra
    Satisfy even the sweetest tooth in your family with these Rosh Hashanah desserts. Deceptively simple to make, the fully-loaded hot chocolate chip cups feature fresh-baked dough, rich chocolate pudding, mini marshmallows, chocolate chunks, caramel chips, and chopped pecans. All that’s left is to enjoy!
  48. Mini Apple Pies by Erin Grunstein
    An easy dessert to freeze ahead, mini apple pies make a great, simple dessert with flavors everybody likes. Use quality ingredients to create this miniature version of apple pie, kneading dough with grapeseed oil, then flavoring with cinnamon and topping with brown sugar.
  49. Apple Crumble Cake by Faigy Murray
    The perfect tart bite of apple, the sweetest crunchy topping, all woven throughout a pillowy soft vanilla cake. An apple crumb cake is a must-have dessert for your repertoire, and this is the recipe to get you started.
  50. Apple Strudel Baklava by Erin Grunstein
    Baklava is a perfect way to incorporate the symbolic Rosh Hashanah foods. This simanim-inspired recipe features flaky pastry layers, crunchy flavored nuts, apples, and a generous drizzle of golden honey. Cut into bite-sized or finger-sized pieces for a Rosh Hashanah dessert all will enjoy.
  51. Sweet and Meaningful Rosh Hashanah Envelopes by Renee Muller
    Savor the special moments of this holiday with these cleverly designed desserts. Rosh Hashanah envelope desserts use mini puff pastry squares, folded over dried apricots, dates, apples, and carrots. Glazed with egg and sugar, you will get all of the best textures and flavors in every bite.
  52. Honey Soaked Apple Butter Rugelach with Date-Raisin Filling by Sarah Lasry
    Rugelach are the beloved pastries we all remember and enjoy from our childhood. This is an updated version of traditional rugelach recipes and provides a dairy-free Rosh Hashanah dessert option with the substitution of non-dairy cream cheese and non-dairy sour cream. It is sure to be a favorite in your home!
  53. Lotus Ribbon Bundt Cake by Rivky Kleiman
    Bundt cake is the ultimate in flavor, texture, and appeal, and it is also an easy dessert to freeze ahead of your Rosh Hashanah celebrations. This version of a honey cake uses bittersweet chocolate, vanilla pudding, bourbon, and fruit juice to create an airy, rich cake.
  54. Mini Apple Phyllo Stacks by Marilyn AyalonServed directly on a spoon and dripping with golden honey, this is a fancy dessert to finish any celebratory meal. Each serving provides a mouthful of balanced flavor, delicate crunchy texture, and a hint of tartness from strawberry jam preserves and apples.

  55. Amazingly Soft ‘n Easy Rugelach by Faigy Grossman
    Rugelach is a great bake-ahead option to make a simple bake-ahead Rosh Hashanah dessert. Customize this recipe to your family’s liking by using nougat, date spread, apricot jam and cinnamon, or any other oven-proof jelly filling.
  56. Orange-Infused Honey-Sesame Cookies by Chavi Feldman
    The elevated flavors in these Rosh Hashanah honey cookies are sure to delight your friends and family. It is an unusual blend that uses the earthy, distinct flavor of sesame seeds and tahini alongside dark brown sugar, honey, and grated orange rind. You’ll be amazed at the results!
  57. Mini Apple Knishes by Brynie Greisman
    Wonderful as a Rosh Hashanah side dish or dessert, mini apple knishes are a simple recipe that even the children can help with. Mix up large apples, lemon juice, cinnamon, and sugar, then bake with the apple-flavored dough for a one-two punch of flavorsome goodness.
  58. Apple Pie Bars by Nechama Fiddle
    Streusel, caramel-y, crunchy goodness is easy to bake, freeze, thaw, and serve up for any breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dessert. Enjoy this vegetarian Rosh Hashanah recipe that has all of your favorite spices, with just the right amount of sweetness and a drizzle of icing to finish it off.
  59. Oats n’ Apple Caramel Cookies by Chavi Feldman
    Baked goods for Rosh Hashanah are a great way to plan ahead for when the family arrives. These delicious cookies are perfect for the whole family and easy to freeze in advance and serve anytime. Oatmeal, apple, and cinnamon get a lift from a drizzle finish of melted caramel chips for the ultimate sweet indulgence.
  60. Apple Pie Babka by Paula Shoyer
    Babka is a yeasted cake, and this one is swirled throughout with an apple pie-like filling that includes fresh baked apple chunks, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg spices, and just the right amount of sugar. Bake this apple babka for Rosh Hashanah or anytime!
  61. Cinnamon Palmiers by Paula Shoyer
    Palmiers are easy when you start with puff pastry sheets, and this simple recipe can be frozen and kept for several weeks. Sugar and cinnamon create an easy and elegant flavor, and the puff pastry can be cooked golden brown to provide a caramelized crunch.
  62. Chocolate Raspberry Mousse by Faigy Grossman
    If you want to use classic flavors in an elegant way, this chocolate raspberry mousse is the perfect Rosh Hashanah dish to try. A heavenly dessert, there are surprisingly few ingredients required, and even beginner cooks can enjoy whipping up this light-as-air dessert that is tart, silky smooth, and just sweet enough.
  63. Cookie Butter Apple Bundt by Tamar Teitelbaum
    A new kind of bundt is in town that uses cookie butter and expertly caramelized apple slices for a crusty, tasty slice every time. This Rosh Hashanah dessert is rich and full of cardamom, allspice, and cinnamon.
  64. Chocolate-Peanut-Butter Zebra Biscotti by Chavi Feldman
    A festive Rosh Hashanah snack or dessert, you can bake biscotti in advance. These biscotti are ultra-flavorful and made with crunchy peanut butter, peanut butter chips, chocolate chips, cocoa powder, and instant coffee. The two dough flavors are combined into a zebra pattern, then drizzled with chocolate after they’re cooled.
  65. Apple-Topped Caramel Mousse Pie by Nechama Norman
    These mini mousse pies are almost too cute to eat: but not quite. Debuted at Nechama Norman’s Sukkot table, these are a great Rosh Hashanah dessert that can easily be frozen in advance. Light, sweet caramel mousse can be made with dairy or dairy alternatives, and the apple topping is just the right mix of tart and sugary – something for everyone to love.
  66. Custard Apple Streusel Pie by Brynie Greisman
    A warm piece of apple pie is the perfect ending to a satisfying Rosh Hashanah meal. Save time with this freezer-friendly dessert option that combines creamy rich custard, soft and spicy apples, crunchy flavorful streusel, all in a decadent buttery crust.

Rosh Hashanah is a wonderful time of year for togetherness. These freeze-ahead Rosh Hashanah recipes are great for beginners through experts, but you’ll also want to round out your menu for the day of your big dinner.

Check out our complete collection of Rosh Hashanah recipes for mains, sides, soups, desserts, and more inspiration for the holiday.
Originally published August 2019. Updated and improved August 2022.