Best Charoset Recipe (2024)

HomeRecipesCondimentsBest Charoset Recipe

Best Charoset Recipe (1)

60 Comments

This healthy Charoset recipe is one of my favorite foods to make for Passover.

Best Charoset Recipe

During the Seder, this sweet, fruity dish holds a special, symbolic place, reminding us of the mortar the Jews used to bond the bricks of the pyramids while enslaved in Egypt.

How to Make Charoset

Wondering how to make Charoset? It’s one of those easy Passover recipes made with only 6 healthy ingredients.

All you need to do to make this Charoset recipe is chop up some apples then toss them in the food processor along with the items below.

Remember to pulse gently so the Charoset has some texture, it should be a little chunky like the photo, you don’t want it to turn into a paste!

Charoset

Best Charoset Recipe (2)

Print Pin Recipe

Servings 6

Ingredients

  • 2 apples, peeled, cored and cut into cubes
  • 2 cups walnuts, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ cup orange juice, freshly squeezed
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
  • ¾ cups currants

Instructions

  • In a food processor, combine apples, walnuts, cinnamon, juices, and currants

  • Pulse briefly until desired texture is achieved

  • Serve

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Tried this recipe?Mention @elanaspantry or tag #elanaspantry!

What is Charoset?

Are you wondering, what is Charoset?

Traditionally, European, or Ashkenazi Jews, use nuts, fruit, cinnamon, sweet wine, and sugar for this dish.

I make a lower carb Charoset, omitting the sugar and wine. Instead, I use a bit of fresh squeezed orange juice to up the flavor.

To further reduce the sweetness I use currants in place of raisins.

Sephardic Charoset

Jews of Middle Eastern descent, or Sephardic Jews, commonly use dates, figs, dried apricots, almonds, and sesame seeds to make Charoset.

Charoset or Haroset

Tomato or tomato? Charoset or haroset?

“Charoset” uses the guttural sound employed when this word is said in Hebrew, while “haroset” is the version of this word used in English.

Passover Food

In general, Middle Eastern Jews have a far richer culinary tradition than European Jewry and this classic Passover dish is no exception.

My healthy Charoset recipe is a blend of the two traditions, and much lower in sugar than typical Charoset recipes.

Gluten Free Passover Recipes

Charoset is something you can enjoy even if you have a gluten allergy.

My older son, diagnosed with celiac disease in 2001, has always adored this gluten free Passover dish.

Now when he comes home in the spring he asks me to make Charoset even if it’s not Passover and he eats it straight from the mason jar I store it in.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BEjl0AFFEnM/?hl=en

Seder Plate

I usually make one batch of Charoset for our Seder plate, and an extra batch for the boys to snack on.

Passover Charoset Recipe Easy

Haroset is just one of my easy Passover recipes. For more ideas, check out my full Passover Menu.

Apple Recipes

This Pesach dish is one of our favorite apple recipes. If you’re in an apple frame of mind, take a look at these:

  • Easy Baked Apples Recipe with Cinnamon
  • Gluten Free Apple Crisp
  • Apple Tart

Charoset Passover

What do you put in your Charoset? Leave a comment and let me know!

This post is an oldie but goodie from the archives. I first shared this Charoset recipe in 2008.

Best Charoset Recipe (7)

Hi! I’m Elana:

  • Wellness Warrior
  • Food Fanatic
  • Paleo Pioneer

About Me

Check Out My Books!

Best Charoset Recipe (11)

Hungryfor more?

Get my favoriterecipes and health tips delivered to your inbox each week

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Elisheva says

    Thanks for the timely recipe. You posted it enough days ahead so that we can all get ready!

    Reply

    • Elana says

      You’re welcome Elisheva!

      Reply

    • Jay Alhadeff says

      Does anyone have an idea for sugar free charoset? I’m trying to keep my sugar low

      Reply

  2. Dvora Krevat says

    My kids made the same kind of seder plate your husband made, and we still have them even though no one lives at home anymore! LOL! We LOVE Charoset.

    Reply

    • Elana says

      Dvora, thank you! That is wonderful to hear :-)

      Reply

  3. Susan says

    Hi Elana, this recipe looks extremely yummy and the middle eastern version does too! I’m 50% Ashkenazi but was not raised to be Jewish :-( so I’m interested in learning how you serve this with a meal and what other dishes would it accompany?
    Thanks!
    Susan

    Reply

    • Elana says

      Susan, great to see you here!I serve it at our seder and the boys eat it as a snack :-)

      Reply

  4. julie says

    Best Charoset Recipe (12)
    Hello
    I notice you use a lot of honey or agave. Didn’t you at one point use another syrup that was lower in carbs? What was that?? I’ve read all your Passover recipes…you should make a cookbook just for that! They are amazing

    Reply

    • Elana says

      Julie, I no longer use agave in my recipes :-)

      Reply

  5. BigMoney says

    Best Charoset Recipe (13)
    Looks really nice!

    Reply

    • Elana says

      Thanks!

      Reply

  6. Hannah says

    Thank you for this charoset recipe, I made it for my Passover Seder and the family actually LIKED it. Because sometimes you can make something without Manischevitz!

    Question, though…I’ve been combing through your website for a rugelach recipe…would you happen to have one on here? I’ve been trying to figure out what I could make this Purim, and even though it’s come and gone, I’ve still got a craving for it!

    Reply

    • Elana says

      Hannah, I think that would be a great t-shirt:

      Because sometimes you can make something without Manischevitz!

      I don’t have a rugelach recipe but may create one for my next book :-)

      Reply

  7. Renee Penland says

    Will regular Sunmaid raisins work in place of currants?

    Reply

    • Elana says

      Renee, I think those might work :-)

      Reply

  8. Rachel says

    Are the currants dried or fresh? I have dried, but I’m not sure if I can find fresh ones in my area this time of year. I’ve never made this before and I’m very excited to try it! Thank you for your wonderful recipes.

    Reply

    • Elana says

      Rachel, they are dried :-)

      Reply

« Older Comments

Leave a Reply

Best Charoset Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is a substitute for Manischewitz in charoset? ›

If you can't get Manischewitz or another sweet Passover wine, ruby port is a fine substitute. You can make this haroseth one day ahead and store it in the refrigerator; just mix it well before serving to reincorporate any liquid that might have seeped out of the mix.

Can I use grape juice instead of red wine for charoset? ›

Sweet Red Wine: Manischewitz wine is the classic sweet red wine for Passover, but if you need to stay away from wine you can absolutely substitute for grape juice. Cinnamon: Any ground cinnamon you like to use will work.

What kind of wine goes with charoset? ›

Wine or grape juice: You need a sweet red wine to make charoset. Manischewitz is the most popular kosher wine; you can use either the Concord grape or blackberry wine for this dish. Or use regular grape juice if you don't want to use alcohol.

What is charoset made of? ›

Charoset (pronounced har-o-set) comes from the Hebrew word cheres that means "clay," though it goes by many different names around the world. It is a sweet relish made with fruits, nuts, spices, as well as wine and a binder such as honey.

Why do Jews drink Manischewitz wine? ›

Jewish immigrants made wine from what they could get, like Concord grapes, which were cheap and local. The wine they produced had a long shelf life, and it also had to be sweetened to make it palatable; if you kept kosher and you wanted wine, for a long time Manischewitz was what you got.

Why do Jews eat charoset? ›

According to the Talmud, its color and texture are meant to recall mortar (or mud used to make adobe bricks), which the Israelites used when they were enslaved in Ancient Egypt , as mentioned in Tractate Pesahim 116a of the Talmud.

What are the alternatives to Manischewitz? ›

8 kosher for Passover wines that are tastier than Manischewitz
  • Mony Classic Massada 2021. When I opened this bottle up, I immediately smelled apple cider. ...
  • Tabor Mt. Tabor Merlot. ...
  • Terra Vega Malbec 2020. ...
  • Domaine Du Castel Grand Vin 2019. ...
  • Psâgot Rosé Mevushal 2021. ...
  • Manischewitz Concord Grape. ...
  • Weinstock Moscato. ...
  • Kedem Grape Juice.
Apr 8, 2022

What is a substitute for Manischewitz wine? ›

The wine's prodigious sugar content will help the meat caramelize. (Any other ideas are most welcome in the comments.) Also, if you don't happen to have an heirloom bottle of Concord grape wine lying around, you can substitute ruby Port, creme sherry, or grape juice in the walnut recipe.

What can I use instead of matzo in recipe? ›

What can be used as a substitute for matzo meal in recipes? If you need a substitute for matzo meal, you can use ground almonds, ground oats, or breadcrumbs. These alternatives can provide a similar texture and can be used in a 1:1 ratio in most recipes.

Why can't you use Manischewitz wine for Passover? ›

Strict Kosher requirements are followed during Passover, and all food and wine consumed must be certified Kosher for Passover, meaning they contain no leavened foods or grains. In the case of Manischewitz Wines, this means Kosher for Passover wines are produced using real cane sugar, instead of corn syrup.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Jeremiah Abshire

Last Updated:

Views: 6149

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (74 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jeremiah Abshire

Birthday: 1993-09-14

Address: Apt. 425 92748 Jannie Centers, Port Nikitaville, VT 82110

Phone: +8096210939894

Job: Lead Healthcare Manager

Hobby: Watching movies, Watching movies, Knapping, LARPing, Coffee roasting, Lacemaking, Gaming

Introduction: My name is Jeremiah Abshire, I am a outstanding, kind, clever, hilarious, curious, hilarious, outstanding person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.