Vegan Rosh Hashanah Menu
This Vegan Rosh Hashanah menu includes plant-based versions of traditional foods enjoyed during Jewish New Year celebrations. From round challah and apples dipped in vegan honey, to starters, a brisket for the main course, sides, and delectable desserts, this menu has it all!
Celebrating a Sweet New Year with a Vegan Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year)
Rosh Hashanah (which literally translates to “head of the year”) marks the celebration of the Jewish New Year. This year, celebrations begin at sundown on Friday, September 11th, and end after nightfall on Sunday, September 13th. Traditionally celebrated with round Challah and apples dipped in honey to symbolize wishes for a sweet new year. Explore the following recipes for the most delicious vegan Rosh Hashanah menu!
Vegan Rosh Hashanah Starters
Matzo Ball Soup
This Matzo Ball Soup is a vegan twist on the classic and traditional comfort soup. Dumplings made from matzo (a thing, crisp type of flatbread) are served in a fragrant broth.
Borscht
This Vegan Borscht is a wonderfully earthy and sweet soup. Served with boiled potatoes and vegan sour cream, it’s comforting and delicious.
Farro Carrot & Pear Salad
This Farro Carrot & Pear Salad is all about texture, color, and the perfect balance of flavors. Nutty, chewy farro is tossed with crisp carrots and juicy pear, then finished with salty bites of vegan feta and crunchy toasted pumpkin seeds. A slightly sweet and pleasantly tart pomegranate vinaigrette brings everything together, creating a salad that is fresh, satisfying, and incredibly flavorful. This salad makes for a beautiful addition to your vegan Rosh Hashanah menu.
Tip: Swap the pear for crisp fresh apple, add plenty of juicy pomegranate arils, and you have a festive dish filled with symbolic ingredients and gorgeous color, perfect for welcoming in a sweet new year.
Vegan Rosh Hashanah Sides
Tzimmes
Tzimmes is a sweetened stew made with vegetables and fruit that is served during the holiday of Rosh Hashanah. The word in Yiddish translates to “fuss” and has been used in the expression “why are you making such a tzimmes?” It may mean fuss but I think it’s actually a really easy dish to make. I think there are people who love tzimmes and others who can leave it! For most people whether they like it or not find it quite nostalgic. It’s one of the sweet foods that usually uses honey and is enjoyed to help usher in a sweet New Year. For this recipe, you can make your own homemade vegan honey, use store-bought vegan “honey”, or use maple syrup instead.
Sweet Noodle Kugel
This Sweet Noodle Kugel is essentially a delicious, sweet, and creamy noodle casserole. It’s a traditional Jewish dish that can be enjoyed year round but usually makes an appearance at holidays such as Hanukkah and Rosh Hashanah.
Jewish-Style Brisket (Vegan Rosh Hashanah Main Dish)
This Jewish Style Brisket is made using seitan (a plant-based protein.) What makes it “Jewish-style”? If you look around for Brisket recipes, most are going to be some form of BBQ flavored and that is not what I grew up with in a Jewish household. This version is seasoned with a blend of flavors and lots of onions, then served with a jus or the cooking liquid (which is similar to a very thin gravy.) Brisket makes for the perfect holiday main dish (ideal for your vegan Rosh Hashanah menu!) but it’s also great as a weeknight dinner. Serve with a side of roasted veggies or mashed potatoes and all of those delicious braised onions.
Round Challah
This round challah, a light, fluffy braided bread, is the quintessential Jewish loaf enjoyed on the Sabbath and holidays. Traditionally made with oil instead of butter, it’s naturally dairy-free, though many recipes include eggs. I grew up eating egg challah and wanted to recreate that experience in a vegan version. Water challahs are made without eggs, are already vegan and don’t require an egg wash. Still, I love the warm golden hue of an egg challah, so I add a pinch of turmeric to achieve that color. There are countless ways to braid challah, including this special round version traditionally enjoyed during the holiday of Rosh Hashanah. Just as a circle has no beginning or end, the shape of this vegan round challah symbolizes a wish for continuous, unlimited blessings and a sweet, complete year ahead.
Vegan Rosh Hashanah Desserts
Vegan “Honey” Bundt Cake
“Honey” Bundt Cake is traditionally enjoyed during Rosh Hashanah to symbolically usher in a sweet year combining the sweetness of apple sauce and vegan “honey”.
Jewish Apple Cake
For me, apple cake is synonymous with autumn and all the seasonal baking. This Jewish Apple Cake, which is a Rosh Hashanah staple, is light, fluffy, and filled with delicious cinnamon apples that are layered throughout. It’s traditionally baked in a tube or bundt pan but will be perfect in any shape.
Homemade Vegan Honey
This homemade vegan alternative for honey by Brian Watson from Thee Burger Dude is delicious and made with simple ingredients! You can use it for many of the recipes included in this Rosh Hashanah menu.
More Vegan Recipes You Might Like
If you enjoyed this vegan Rosh Hashanah menu, you might also like the following recipes.
- Vegan Hanukkah Menu
- Pumpkin Challah
- Vegan Sufganiyot (Jelly Donuts)
- 45+ Vegan Soup Recipes For Every Occasion
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All images by © Devorah Bowen, unless otherwise specified.
