Amish Farmhouse Feast: A Hearty, Heartwarming Meal That Feels Like Home
“Amish Farmhouse Feast”—every time I serve this, my family says it tastes like it came straight from an Amish farm kitchen. Warm, filling, and gone before you can blink.
There’s something about Amish cooking that’s both simple and soul-satisfying. Rooted in tradition, these recipes celebrate wholesome ingredients, slow cooking, and comforting flavors. When you sit down to an Amish meal, you’re not just eating food — you’re sharing a story. A story of family, harvest, and generations of care.
Today, I’m sharing my take on an Amish Farmhouse Feast that brings all of those elements to your table. It’s a full meal built on hearty meat, creamy sides, fresh bread, and a sweet finish — the kind of feast that fills bellies and warms hearts.
What Is an Amish Farmhouse Feast?
Before diving into recipes, let’s talk about what makes an Amish meal so special. Amish cooking reflects a lifestyle centered around family, the land, and practical simplicity. Meals often:
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Use fresh, local ingredients — think garden vegetables, fresh milk, homemade butter
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Feature meat cooked low and slow for tenderness and flavor
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Include hearty sides like mashed potatoes, green beans, or cornbread
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Finish with a simple, comforting dessert like shoofly pie or apple crisp
The magic is in the method: lots of slow simmering, baking from scratch, and serving generous portions with a side of hospitality.
The Menu: An Amish Farmhouse Feast to Remember
This meal has everything you want for a cozy dinner:
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Classic Amish Roast Beef with Onion Gravy
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Creamy Mashed Potatoes
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Homemade Amish-Style Dinner Rolls
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Seasoned Green Beans with Bacon
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Amish Apple Pie
Let’s break down each dish with detailed steps and tips.
1. Classic Amish Roast Beef with Onion Gravy
Ingredients:
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3–4 lb beef chuck roast
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2 tbsp vegetable oil or bacon drippings
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2 large onions, thinly sliced
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4 cloves garlic, minced
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2 cups beef broth (preferably homemade or low-sodium)
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1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
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1 tsp dried thyme
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Salt and pepper to taste
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2 tbsp all-purpose flour (for thickening gravy)
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Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
Step 1: Brown the Roast
Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Pat the beef roast dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper. Heat oil or bacon drippings in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed oven-safe pot over medium-high heat. Brown the roast on all sides, about 4-5 minutes per side, until it develops a rich crust. Remove and set aside.
Step 2: Sauté the Onions and Garlic
Lower heat to medium and add sliced onions to the pot. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until they caramelize and turn golden brown — about 20 minutes. Add garlic in the last 2 minutes.
Step 3: Deglaze and Roast
Pour in beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, scraping the brown bits from the bottom of the pot. Return roast to the pot. Sprinkle thyme on top. Cover and place in the oven. Roast for about 3 hours, until the meat is tender and pulls apart easily.
Step 4: Make the Gravy
Remove roast and keep warm. Strain some liquid if desired, or leave onions in. Mix flour with a little cold water to make a slurry, then stir into the hot pan juices over medium heat on the stovetop. Stir until gravy thickens. Adjust salt and pepper.
Serving tip: Slice the roast and serve smothered in rich onion gravy, garnished with fresh parsley.
2. Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients:
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3 lbs Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
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½ cup whole milk (warmed)
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¼ cup unsalted butter
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Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Step 1: Boil Potatoes
Place cubed potatoes in a large pot, cover with cold salted water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmer, and cook until fork-tender, about 15–20 minutes.
Step 2: Mash and Mix
Drain potatoes well and return to pot or a large bowl. Mash with a potato masher or use a hand mixer for extra fluffiness. Add butter, then slowly add warm milk while stirring until creamy. Season with salt and pepper.
Pro tip: For extra richness, add a splash of cream or a dollop of sour cream.
3. Amish-Style Dinner Rolls
Ingredients:
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4 cups all-purpose flour
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1 packet (2¼ tsp) active dry yeast
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⅓ cup sugar
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1 tsp salt
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1 cup whole milk, warmed
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½ cup unsalted butter, melted
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2 large eggs
Instructions:
Step 1: Activate Yeast
In a small bowl, combine warm milk and sugar. Stir in yeast and let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
Step 2: Make the Dough
In a large bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Add yeast mixture, melted butter, and eggs. Stir to combine.
Step 3: Knead
Knead on a floured surface or with a stand mixer’s dough hook for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Step 4: First Rise
Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
Step 5: Shape Rolls
Punch down dough and divide into 12–15 equal pieces. Shape into smooth balls and place on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet.
Step 6: Second Rise
Cover and let rise 30–45 minutes until puffy.
Step 7: Bake
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Brush rolls with melted butter or egg wash. Bake 15–20 minutes until golden.
4. Seasoned Green Beans with Bacon
Ingredients:
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1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed
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4 slices bacon, chopped
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1 small onion, diced
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Step 1: Cook Bacon
In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Reserve bacon drippings.
Step 2: Sauté Veggies
Add onion to skillet with bacon drippings and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook another minute.
Step 3: Cook Green Beans
Add green beans and ¼ cup water. Cover and steam until beans are tender but crisp, about 6–8 minutes.
Step 4: Combine
Remove lid, cook off excess water, then stir in cooked bacon. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.
5. Amish Apple Pie
Ingredients:
For the crust:
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2¼ cups all-purpose flour
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1 tsp salt
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1 tsp sugar
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1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
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6–8 tbsp ice water
For the filling:
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6 cups peeled, sliced tart apples (Granny Smith or similar)
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¾ cup granulated sugar
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2 tbsp all-purpose flour
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1 tsp ground cinnamon
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¼ tsp ground nutmeg
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1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions:
Step 1: Make the Dough
In a food processor, pulse flour, salt, and sugar. Add cold butter and pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Slowly add ice water, 1 tbsp at a time, until dough forms. Divide dough in two, wrap in plastic, and chill 1 hour.
Step 2: Prepare Filling
Toss sliced apples with sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Set aside.
Step 3: Roll Dough and Assemble Pie
Roll one dough ball to fit a 9-inch pie pan. Place in pan and trim edges. Pour apple filling inside.
Roll second dough ball, cut slits or shape into lattice. Place on top, seal edges, and crimp.
Step 4: Bake
Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Bake 15 minutes, then reduce to 350°F (175°C) and bake another 35–45 minutes until crust is golden and filling bubbly.
Cool before serving.
Bringing It All Together: The Perfect Amish Feast
Set your table with simple linens, fresh flowers, and plenty of love. Serve each dish family-style, encouraging everyone to dig in and share stories.
This feast isn’t about fancy presentation; it’s about heart and heritage. Each bite carries the warmth of slow cooking, the comfort of familiar flavors, and the joy of gathering around food made with care.
Tips for Making Your Amish Farmhouse Feast a Success
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Plan ahead: Some dishes benefit from prep a day early, like the pie dough or yeast rolls.
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Use quality ingredients: Fresh produce, real butter, and good beef make all the difference.
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Cook low and slow: Letting roast beef braise gently brings out deep flavor and tenderness.
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Make it your own: Adjust seasonings and sides to suit your family’s favorites.
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Don’t rush dessert: Let apple pie cool well for clean slices and best flavor.
Variations and Substitutions
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Substitute roast beef with pork shoulder or whole chicken for different proteins.
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Swap green beans with fresh asparagus or roasted root vegetables.
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For a gluten-free twist, try almond flour pie crust and gluten-free rolls.
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Vegan adaptations include vegetable broth for gravy, dairy-free butter, and plant-based milk.
Final Thoughts: More Than a Meal
An Amish Farmhouse Feast is about more than the food — it’s a celebration of tradition, family, and comfort. It invites you to slow down, savor each bite, and appreciate the simple things that make a house a home.
When you serve this meal, you’re sharing a taste of history and heart, creating memories one delicious forkful at a time.
So pull up a chair, pour a glass of homemade lemonade or cider, and enjoy. Because every time I make this feast, it disappears fast — just like it’s supposed to.
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