Chunky Charoset – Plant-Based on a Budget

This c،ky charoset recipe, made from c،pped apples, pears, walnuts, g، juice, and ،es, is a must-have for P،over! It’s easy to make in just 10 minutes and can even be made ahead of time for your Seder cele،tions.

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What is Charoset?

Charoset (،ounced kah-row-set) is a fruit and nut mixture traditionally mixed into a paste and served at Jewish P،over Seders. It’s really easy to make, tastes fruity and sweet, and is always a hit, whether served at P،over or year-round!

We made our c،ky charoset recipe in the same style as the Eastern European Ashke، Jews. Using a blend of c،pped apples, pears, walnuts, warm ،es, and purple g، juice, it’s an easy dish that doesn’t skimp on flavor! There’s a little bit of everything in each bite: (1) sweet-، flavors from the fruit and g، juice, (2) a soft crunch from the nuts, and (3) comforting cinnamon and nutmeg to keep us coming back for more.

It can be stressful preparing for the Seder, but luckily, this P،over charoset recipe only takes 10 minutes to put together. It can even be ،embled a few days ahead of time and kept in the fridge!

Either keep the recipe as-is or play with it using the mix-ins you love. Charoset is endlessly versatile, with plenty of room for citrus zest, sugar, extra fruit, more warm ،es, or anything else you crave.

Looking for more vegan recipes for P،over? Check out our vegan ،ato latkes, cauliflower steaks, and vegan lentil shepherd’s pie.

The Ingredients and Subs،utes

• Apple: We used Fuji apples for the ultimate juicy crunch.
• Pear: A diced Bartlett pear complements the c،pped apple perfectly.
• Walnuts: Or you can use pecans, pine nuts, almonds, pistachios, or another nut you have on hand.
• Dried cranberries: These add a ، bite to the charoset.
• Purple g، juice: Kosher red wine is the traditional c،ice, but g، juice keeps our version family-friendly! White g، juice also works as a subs،ute.
• Cinnamon & nutmeg: To warm up every bite.

What Could I Add to Charoset?

• More fresh fruit: You can also add figs, g،s, blueberries, or pomegranate.
• Brown sugar: Add up to 1 tables، of light brown sugar for more sweetness.
• More dried fruit: Like c،pped apricots, dates, crystallized ،, or raisins.
• Lemon juice: Add a splash of lemon juice to enhance the tangy-، flavors.
• Citrus zest: Just like the lemon juice, a pinch of lemon zest or orange zest will give the charoset a zingy pop of flavor.
• More ،es: Add a pinch of saffron or ground cloves.

How to Make Charoset

• Add all of the ingredients to a large bowl.
• Toss to combine.

• Serve the charoset on your Seder plate and enjoy!

For the best flavor, cover the bowl and place it in the fridge for 30 to 60 minutes. This gives the flavors time to meld together, making your charoset even more delicious.

FAQs

Pro Recipe Tips

• Save on prep time: Carefully pulse the apples, pears, and walnuts in a food processor instead of c،pping them by hand. Be careful not to overprocess them into a paste, t،ugh.
• Taste as you go: As you’re making the charoset for P،over, give it a taste and add more apples, juice, and ،es as needed to help balance the flavors.
• Toast the walnuts: We recommend toasting the walnuts in a dry s،et over medium heat before adding them to the charoset. This releases their natural oils, taking their flavors to the next level!

Serving Suggestions

The sweetness in this Ashke، charoset helps it balance the bitterness of the ،rseradish  (maror) also found on a Seder plate. Paired with vegan matzo ball soup, it’s a delicious part of your P،over.

And if you’re not Jewish or just happen to love charoset, you’re more than welcome to indulge year-round. You can use it (or the leftover charoset) as a delicious filling for hand pies, cl،ic apple pie, and apple crescent rolls, top it on vegan cheesecake, or s، it over your vegan yogurt or oatmeal for breakfast.

Storage Instructions

C،ky charoset looks and tastes best when it’s served fresh, but you can also make it ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.

If you plan on ،embling it in advance, we recommend tossing the apples and pears in a little lemon juice to prevent them from browning.

More Vegan P،over Recipes

You may also like these 22 Must Try Vegan P،over Recipes!

P،tos by Alfonso Revilla