Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. Gathering around a huge spread of delicious food with family and giving thanks for the blessings the Lord has provided for the year is a great opportunity to fellowship with family and friends as well as taking a minute to give praise to our heavenly Father for giving us so much.
Below is a list of our Amish family favorites, including a handful of recipes my family has acquired after we left the old order Amish community. The Amish recipes will be labeled as “Amish.” Happy Holidays! To access the recipes, click on the highlighted description. Main dishes are featured at the top followed by vegetable sides, breads and then desserts.
Main Dishes
To me, the best side for stuffed turkey or chicken is always mashed potatoes. This Amish recipe is a family favorite that produces creamy mountains of whipped potatoes with cream cheese and the optional browned butter topping.
2. Stuffed Whole Chicken with Amish Bread Stuffing
My family prefers chicken over turkey, so this is my go-to recipe for a stuffed bird to grace the center of the table. This slow cooker recipe is great to prep the day before and cook on the day of your get-together.
3. Onion and Sage Stuffed Chicken (Gluten Free Friendly)
This onion and sage (sage is optional) stuffed chicken is perfect for those who cannot have bread stuffing or do not enjoy the texture of bread stuffing. This juicy stuffed chicken should be prepared the day before leaving you with less prep on Thanksgiving day!
4. Ultimate Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
These mashed potatoes are called “ultimate” potatoes because they are slow cooked with bouillon and garlic, which gives them a great flavor! This recipe is great for prepping several hours ahead of time and saving stovetop space.
5. Slow Cooker Pineapple Citrus Glazed Ham
If you prefer ham over stuffed turkey or chicken, this pineapple glazed ham is absolutely delicious and makes a pretty centerpiece for your table. This version is done in the slow cooker, but you can also use the oven baked pineapple citrus glazed ham recipe if you do not have a slow cooker available.
6. Amish Ham Balls with Pineapple Glaze
As an old order Amish girl, mock ham loaf was one of my favorite main dishes. These mock ham balls are just like mock ham loaf, but in individual portions. They make a delicious main dish alternative to chicken or turkey for Thanksgiving.
7. Amish bread stuffing (slow cooker or baked)
This bread stuffing really takes me back to my childhood. The moist stuffing is made with fresh breadcrumbs, carrots or celery, broth, shredded chicken, lots of butter and the best blend of seasonings. You just really need to try it!
Sweet potato casserole is a dish I started making for my own family more recently. This recipe is my favorite and gets such good reviews it is now on my Thanksgiving must make list.
9. Scalloped Potatoes with Bacon and Sour Cream
If you prefer scalloped potatoes over mashed potatoes, or simply want another side dish, these sour cream scalloped potatoes topped with bacon are a delicious alternative. This recipe is another well-loved family favorite from the more recent years!
Vegetable Side Dishes
Hot bacon dressing salad is one that we enjoyed quite a lot while growing up old order Amish. The salad itself is very simple to make, with the homemade bacon dressing taking a little more effort that is well worth it!
2. Crockpot Smoky Creamed Corn
This crockpot creamed corn has a smoky flavor from smoked paprika and a rich, creamy texture from the cream cheese. I like to use fresh cut corn for this recipe, but canned corn can also be used.
I may be biased, but homemade Amish macaroni salad is so much better than the storebought versions. This recipe comes with a dressing that is adaptable to taste and is perfect for a prep-ahead side dish that can be done the day before.
4. Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze
Balsamic glazed brussel sprouts are simple to make but add a fancy flair to your Thanksgiving table.
My husband’s grandmother also grew up Amish, and she introduced us to these delicious sweet potato patties that are coated in a buttery graham cracker topping, then baked in the oven until the topping is crispy. A great way to incorporate sweet potatoes to your special meal!
6. Amish Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
I still remember the first time I made these as a little Amish girl and how pleased I was when Dad complimented me on them. These are perfect for seafood lovers and add a special touch to the Thanksgiving meal.
7. Crockpot Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
These glazed carrots with lots of butter and brown sugar are easy to make. I love that they can be done in the slow cooker to save oven space on Thanksgiving day!
8. Amish Shredded Potato Salad
This authentic Amish potato salad has a sweet and tangy dressing with shredded vegetables for a taste and texture that can’t be beat!
9. Oven Roasted Cranberry Maple Squash
I don’t remember eating cranberries while we were little, but I do remember Mom making pretty tea light decorations with floating cranberries in a candle jar filled with water. I’m pretty sure if she would have tasted this cranberry maple squash she probably would have cooked them up in this recipe instead.
No, these aren’t exactly a vegetable side, but they contain mustard so I guess that counts. This recipe from my Grandma Petershiem makes the best deviled eggs!
11. Bacon Wrapped Asparagus with Balsamic Glaze
This bacon wrapped asparagus with balsamic glaze may be a little more time consuming than some of the other vegetable sides listed, but it certainly brings a “wow” factor to the table!
Breads and Dinner Rolls:
My Mom’s Honey bread recipe is a treasure that makes the fluffiest bread with a nice hint of sweetness from the honey added to the dough. This Amish recipe produces multiple loaves and is great for feeding a crowd.
2. Family Favorite Whole Wheat Bread
This Whole Wheat Bread recipe hails from my Mother-in-law and I am honestly not sure if it is an Amish recipe or not. Either way, it is now my go-to bread recipe and yields 3-4 loaves.
3. Amish Honey Oatmeal Dinner Rolls (freezable)
The dough for these oatmeal dinner rolls freezes easily making them great to prep ahead of time, then simply allow them to thaw and rise for fresh dinner rolls to grace your Thanksgiving table.
4. Amish 60 Minute Dinner Rolls
Technically, these dinner rolls take me about 70 minutes from start to finish, but either way, they can be whipped up in a jiffy and still taste delicious!
5. Amish Garlic and Herb Cheddar Rolls
These garlic and herb cheddar rolls were inspired by my Mom’s bread recipe. The addition of garlic, herbs and cheddar make them the perfect savory dinner roll choice to pair with mashed potatoes and gravy.
6. Amish Cinnamon Apple Pumpkin Bread
This sweet bread is loaded with apples, pumpkin and cinnamon spice. The perfect pairing of flavors for Thanksgiving!
The Amish (including Ex-Amish like myself) love Amish cup cheese which we call “Shmear Kaes.” This Amish cheese spread is a must have for pairing with fresh bread or dinner rolls and also tastes delicious as a dip for snacks!
Creamy peanut butter spread mixed with marshmallow cream is another Amish “essential” to pair with bread. It tastes delicious with or without jam and butter and also makes a great dip for fruit or salty snacks.
Desserts Galore!
Pumpkin pie is like the star of Thanksgiving. This pumpkin custard pie is hands down our favorite and features layers of creamy pumpkin custard encased in a flaky pie crust.
The next Thanksgiving pie in the lineup is apple pie. This recipe from my Mother-in-law makes a delicious pie with warm spices and a perfectly set apple pie filling.
I grew up eating lots of this mock pecan pie as an Amish girl, it was one of my Mom’s most requested desserts in her catering business. This is a great budget friendly alternative to the regular pecan pie.
This coconut cream pie is dreamy. My mom passed this recipe along to me and it makes a simple, but delicious pie featuring toasted coconut, homemade vanilla pudding and a flaky pie crust.
This light and fluffy chocolate mousse pie is one that I simply cannot leave alone! This pie is a simple, but elegant pie that chocolate lovers will rave over.
This flaky pie crust is easy to make and still turns out nice and flaky every time. I like to prep my pie crust ahead of time to freeze before baking the Thanksgiving pies!
Does pie making intimidate you? No worries, I have got you covered. These pecan pie cookies are made with a simple shortbread, then filled with pecan filling that is simple to whip up. It tastes like pecan pie, but in a cookie form!
I found this recipe in my grandmother’s recipe collection and it is a great alternative to pumpkin pie because it is made with a quick and easy cake mix base.
9. Amish Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting
This chocolate cake has been a long-time family favorite for my family. The chocolate cake is moist and tender with a creamy peanut butter and cream cheese frosting that adds another level of deliciousness.
This luscious pumpkin treat was one of my favorite desserts growing up. It is also perfect to add to your Thanksgiving dessert table!
11. Amish Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
Soft pumpkin whoopie pies are filled with a fluffy homemade frosting. These are easy to prep ahead and freeze, which makes them perfect for if you need to travel over the holiday.
Warm apple dumplings are one of the best treats ever. This Amish recipe creates the best I have had yet!
13. Amish Homemade Vanilla Pudding
Pudding is a great side dessert for pie. I find this pudding is also super delicious when paired with chocolate cake or cookies.
14. Amish Apple Pie Oatmeal Bars
If you are looking for something simple you can take to the Thanksgiving gathering, these are for you! They taste like a blend of apple pie and oatmeal cookies. The buttery oatmeal base is delicious paired with apple filling.
15. Amish Pumpkin Cookies with Caramel Frosting
These pumpkin cookies with homemade caramel frosting are a popular treat that is great for snack time or adding to the dessert table. Kids love these and they get scarfed up real fast!
Thanks for stopping by and Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you find lots of new recipe treasures and that the holidays filled with laughter and fun. -Marilyn Stoltzfus Peight
