Brisket, Apple Cake, and More: 18 Favorite High Holiday Recipes

By Jenn Segal

The Jewish holidays are a time for celebration, reflection, and, of course, eating! From brisket and tzimmes to challah and apple cake, these traditional high holiday recipes will help you ring in the new year — deliciously.

Moroccan-Style Brisket with Dried Fruit & Capers

This brisket is so abundant and impressive looking, you can keep the sides super simple.
Matzo Ball Soup

Making chicken soup is a bit of a “potschke,” as my mother would say, but it’s not hard — you pretty much throw everything into a pot and forget it. And the matzo balls are made from a mix!
Challah

With its rich, slightly sweet flavor, shiny golden crust, and pillowy interior, challah isn’t just for the Jewish holidays; it appeals to everyone, any time!
Applesauce

This baked homemade applesauce is rich, tart and sweet — almost like apple pie filling — and a world apart from store-bought.
Honey & Spice Cake

This traditional cake is tender and moist, and the taste of honey shines through.
Sweet & Spicy Roast Chicken with Carrots, Dates & Pistachios

This sheet-pan dinner is the perfect no-fuss dish for company. Everything can be assembled in advance, so all that’s left to do at dinnertime is pop it in the oven.
Noodle Kugel

Noodle kugel is a traditional Jewish holiday dish made from egg noodles baked in a sweet or savory custard.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Vinegar and Honey

It’s hard to improve on simple roasted Brussels sprouts, but a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and a touch of honey bring the flavors to life.
Beef Tzimmes

A comforting beef and vegetable stew sweetened with dried fruit, tzimmes is a Jewish holiday staple, especially on Rosh Hashanah.
Roasted Carrots with Thyme

These carrots are roasted in a high temperature oven, which brings out their natural sweetness.
Chocolate Rugelach

A much-loved Jewish holiday treat, rugelach are miniature pastries posing as cookies.
Arugula Salad with Apples & Manchego in Cider Vinaigrette

With tart apples, nutty manchego, and a cider vinaigrette, this arugula salad is tailor-made for fall.
Brussels Sprout Salad with Apples, Walnuts & Parmesan

This sweet and tangy Brussels sprout salad is best made a few hours ahead of time, so it’s ideal for a holiday buffet.
Red Wine Braised Short Ribs

Similar in taste to beef bourguignon, these slow-braised short ribs make a cozy yet elegant dish.
Slow-Roasted Salmon with French Herb Salsa

This elegant salmon dish is wonderful served warm or room temperature, so it’s a great make-ahead option for the holidays.
French Apple Cake

With chunks of sweet apples nestled in a tender and buttery rum cake, this cake is the essence of simplicity.
Rustic French Apple Tart

Like an apple pie without the pan, this tart consists of a thin layer of cinnamon-scented apples atop a buttery, flaky crust.
Chocolate Babka

Chocolate and Nutella-swirled babka makes a crave-worthy treat any time of day.