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
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
What is Charoset?
Are you wondering, what is Charoset?
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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.
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:
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.
Teresa says
Can I substitute cranberries for the currants? Thank you for the great and kitchen-friendly recipes!
Elana says
Teresa, I haven’t tried that so not sure how it will turn out, seems like a fun experiment and I hope you’ll let me know if you like it :-)
Ania says
Just made a batch, sooo good. I don’t think I need a cake ever again. Charoset will do. Thank you for the recipe.
Elana says
Ania, we feel the same way about this charoset!
Cathi says
We enjoyed this tonight without the currents but will add next time. We serve horseradish with it. Blessings
Elana says
Cathi, blessings to you and yours! Stay safe :-)
Ruth says
Hi Elana
Want to thank you for this delicious charoset recipe- yummy. In previous years, many years, I have made similar but moistened with sacramental wine. I have become allergic to sulphites etc and am not able to use this now. Your recipe hit the brief. Chag Sameach from Sydney, Australia
Elana says
Ruth, I just made a batch of this! Chag Samaech hugs to you in Australia :-)
Tiina says
I rely on your recipes for my holiday meals. Today I served Charoset as an appetizer for my Easter brunch. It was wonderful – exactly as written. Everyone enjoyed it very much. Thank you!
Elana says
Tiina, first, I’m so happy that I was part of your Easter via this recipe! Second, thanks for letting me know you rely on my recipes for your holiday meals! ❤️
Jamie Hopps says
Hello! I am a journalist for The Daily Jeffersonian in Cambridge, OH. My column is Jamie’s Recipe Corner and usually runs on Monday’s. Next Monday (April 3) I would love to run a couple of your recipes for Passover ideas. I would give you credit of course.
Elana says
Jamie, thanks for your comment! That would be wonderful :-)
Zak says
Can you make the Charoset and and marinate overnight
Elana says
Zak, you can! I often do that if I’m having a big crowd at our seder :-)
Leslie Collins says
Oh my goodness, this is amazing! I am Messianic and I love (well, loved) Matzo but with butter. As you can only imagine this got me in trouble for many reasons. I am printing your recipes for next year’s Seder. Thank you so much! Leslie/AZ
Elana says
Leslie, thanks so much for letting me know this is amazing. I make a triple batch each year at Passover because my boys can’t get enough of it!
Gail says
At 2 pm today, I realized that I had not planned the seder plate for tonight. I looked at your charoset recipe, did not have all the ingredients and figured I could sub some with what I had. So at 7 pm, I made the charoset. The walnuts became pecans, the orange juice was grape juice, and the currants were dates. I only had a drop of cinnamon. It was delicious, and we were eating it in spoonfuls. Thanks!
Elana says
You’re welcome Gail, so glad you enjoyed the Charoset!
Mandy Richardson says
I’m a Christian with Jewish roots my mother was Jewish and I help out a a local refuge and every year they do the Seder meal. I am awaiting delivery of my Seder Plate from Israel and started looking for what goes on it and I had heard of Charoset but part of my ministry at the refuge is working alongside girls who are recovering from alcohol abuse. I needed a Charoset recipe that contained no alcohol.. this is ideal thank you.
Elana says
Mandy, what a touching comment! Your service is so commendable. I’m happy that I’ll be part of this incredible Seder with my Charoset recipe :-)
Roberta Redfern says
Hello Mandy!
I have just found these wonderful recipes and comments. I just wd like to let you know that by Jewish law you ARE Jewish as your mother was Jewish. You are doing much chesed. R sq
Charlee says
Thank you for not only the recipes, but also for sharing the reasons why they work for Passover. As a believer in both Old and New Testaments, I’ve always wondered why Christians did not celebrate the Jewish feasts and festivals, even though Jesus did. I’ve had a longing to celebrate, but had no idea where to begin. I own a copy of your paleo cookbook and use it daily! Thank you for sharing the fruits of your labor! I live in Fort Collins CO & hope to meet you & thank you in person some day.
Elana says
Charlee, thank you so much for your incredible comment. It means the world to me to connect with people everywhere of various faiths. I hope you enjoy Passover :-)
Teresa says
Look up Getzel on YouTube. You will not be disappointed!
kate says
AMAZING RECIPE! Many of my relatives said this was the best charoset they ever tried… thank you Elana! :)
Elana says
Kate, thanks for letting me know that your relatives said this was the best ever :-)