Chunky Charoset

This chunky charoset recipe, made from chopped apples, pears, walnuts, grape juice, and spices, is a must-have for Passover! It’s easy to make in just 10 minutes and can even be made ahead of time for your Seder celebrations.

What is Charoset?

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

We made our chunky charoset recipe in the same style as the Eastern European Ashkenazi Jews. Using a blend of chopped apples, pears, walnuts, warm spices, and purple grape juice, it’s an easy dish that doesn’t skimp on flavor! There’s a little bit of everything in each bite: (1) sweet-tart flavors from the fruit and grape 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 Passover charoset recipe only takes 10 minutes to put together. It can even be assembled 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 spices, or anything else you crave.

Looking for more vegan recipes for Passover? Check out our vegan potato latkes, cauliflower steaks, and vegan lentil shepherd’s pie.

The Ingredients and Substitutes

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

What Could I Add to Charoset?

• More fresh fruit: You can also add figs, grapes, blueberries, or pomegranate.
• Brown sugar: Add up to 1 tablespoon of light brown sugar for more sweetness.
• More dried fruit: Like chopped apricots, dates, crystallized ginger, or raisins.
• Lemon juice: Add a splash of lemon juice to enhance the tangy-tart 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 spices: 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 chopping them by hand. Be careful not to overprocess them into a paste, though.
• Taste as you go: As you’re making the charoset for Passover, give it a taste and add more apples, juice, and spices as needed to help balance the flavors.
• Toast the walnuts: We recommend toasting the walnuts in a dry skillet 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 Ashkenazi charoset helps it balance the bitterness of the horseradish  (maror) also found on a Seder plate. Paired with vegan matzo ball soup, it’s a delicious part of your Passover.

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, classic apple pie, and apple crescent rolls, top it on vegan cheesecake, or spoon it over your vegan yogurt or oatmeal for breakfast.

Storage Instructions

Chunky 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 assembling it in advance, we recommend tossing the apples and pears in a little lemon juice to prevent them from browning.

More Vegan Passover Recipes

• Rosemary Roasted Potatoes
• Sweet Potato Latkes
• Vegan Potato Latkes
• Sweet Potato Toast
• Simple Glazed Carrots
• Vegan Matzo Ball Soup

You may also like these 22 Must Try Vegan Passover Recipes!

Photos by Alfonso Revilla