Amish Dishes That Everyone Should Try At Least Once

Amish cooking is built on simplicity, tradition, and comfort. Rooted in farm life, these recipes use basic ingredients to create hearty and satisfying meals. Every dish is made with care, often passed down through generations.

Amish food reminds us that good cooking doesn't need to be complicated. Here are six Amish dishes worth trying at least once.

Amish Friendship Bread

Amish Friendship Bread
Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Amish Friendship Bread is both a recipe and a tradition. It begins as a shared starter, passed between friends and family. The sweet, cinnamon-spiced bread has a tender texture and a comforting aroma.

The act of sharing the starter reflects the Amish community's value of generosity and connection. It’s as much about friendship as it is about baking.

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Ham and Bean Soup

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 24, 2013 - CulinarySOS - Ham & Bean Soup photographed in the Los Angeles T
Ricardo DeAratanha/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Ricardo DeAratanha/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
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Ham and bean soup is a simple dish that turns leftovers into comfort food. Made from white beans, vegetables, and smoked ham, it simmers slowly until rich and hearty.

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It's both nourishing and frugal, reflecting the Amish value of wasting nothing. Ham and bean soup is best when served with fresh bread.

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Amish Sticky Buns

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Amish woman making sticky buns at the Reading Terminal...
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John Greim/LightRocket via Getty Images
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Sticky buns are a staple of Amish bakeries and breakfast tables. Similar to cinnamon rolls, they're topped with gooey caramel sauce and nuts that melt together as they bake.

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The result is sweet, buttery, and irresistible. They’re often served fresh from the oven with coffee, making them a perfect morning treat.

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Chow Chow

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ChowChowRelish
Nolabob/Wikimedia Commons
Nolabob/Wikimedia Commons
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Chow chow is a colorful pickled relish made from a mix of chopped vegetables like cabbage, beans, and peppers. It's tangy, slightly sweet, and served alongside meats and casseroles.

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Originally a way to preserve late-season produce, chow chow adds brightness to heavy meals.

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Apple Butter

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James Nielsen/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images
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Apple butter is a slow-cooked spread made from apples, sugar, and spices until thick and smooth. It's not butter at all, but its creamy texture makes it perfect for toast, biscuits, or pancakes.

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Apple butter is a true Amish staple worth making in big batches.

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Amish Wedding Roast

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A waitress holding a tray of food at Amish Acres Historic Farm Restaurant.
Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
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No Amish wedding is complete without a roast dinner. This dish combines shredded chicken or turkey baked with buttery bread stuffing, served alongside mashed potatoes and creamed celery.

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It's warm, rich, and meant to feed a crowd. The wedding roast represents hospitality and togetherness, reminding everyone that food is at the heart of community celebration.

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Comfort And Community

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Amish Family Around the Kitchen Table
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David Turnley/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images
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Amish dishes combine comfort and community in every bite. They're built on simple ingredients but rich in meaning. These meals remind us that good food connects people and preserves stories.

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How many of these meals would you like to try?