An Amish Thanksgiving (Part 2): The Amish Table of Thanksgiving
This is the second of a three-part Thanksgiving series exploring how the Amish express gratitude—not through words, but through action. Author and Amish taxi driver Haley Straw shares an unexpected Amish Thanksgiving experience – and what stayed with her after it was over. And if you missed it, check out part 1 (“How The Amish Say Thank You”) here.
A few years ago, my young son and I were hired to drive an Amish family from northwest Missouri up to Wisconsin so they could spend Thanksgiving with their married daughter. I figured we’d drop them off, grab a motel room, and eat Thanksgiving dinner at some roadside café—just the two of us.
That’s not what happened.
Instead, David and Barbara Graber and their eleven children opened their home to us strangers. They insisted we stay the night and join them for the holiday. In those two short days, they showed us that gratitude isn’t something you only feel once a year—it’s something you live every day.
Amish women often begin Thanksgiving prep days in advance—baking pies, grinding meat, peeling vegetables, and assembling casseroles big enough to feed an army. When you’re cooking for a family of thirteen or more (plus guests), it has to happen that way.
The Grabers’ table looked exactly like that kind of effort.
The table itself was long, thin, and handmade by Delbert, worn smooth from years of meals. The food was simple and filling: roasted chicken they had raised and butchered, stuffing, green beans with carrots (grown in their garden) and cheese, noodles with meat, and homemade applesauce. Dessert was apple and pumpkin pie. Nothing fancy—just honest food and plenty of it.
When Delbert, the head of the family, sat down at the Thanksgiving table, we all followed. At his cue, we bowed our heads for a silent prayer before eating.
At the end of the meal, Delbert led us in another silent prayer. Thanksgiving among the Amish is a spiritual day as much as a family one—quiet reflection, gratitude expressed to God, and often singing.
A common hymn sung around the holiday is from the Ausbund, the oldest Christian hymnbook still in continuous use. Hymn #131, Das Loblied (“Song of Praise”), is central to Amish worship.
There are no instruments, no harmonies—just voices lifted slowly, the way their ancestors sang centuries ago. It’s less about performance and more about offering praise from the depths of the heart.
After the final prayer, the table scattered—the small children running off to play games, Delbert and his teenage sons settling into the living room to visit, and Brenda and her young daughters heading straight for the dishes.
I joined in, drying plates while the oldest daughters washed, scrubbed, rinsed, and stacked them in their steady rhythm. Nobody rushed. Nobody complained. They just worked together the same way they cooked: side by side.
In many Amish homes, the hours after Thanksgiving dinner are filled with more visiting, more games, maybe a short board game or an inspirational story read aloud. There’s no TV, no scrolling—just people enjoying each other.
Because Amish families are often very large with many children and grandchildren, it is common for different branches of the family to hold separate, large meals or reunions throughout the holiday season, rather than everyone gathering in one place on the specific day.
What stayed with me wasn’t just the food, although they didn’t let me leave without extra pie. It was the quiet way they lived out their gratitude—by sharing work, sharing food, and making room for two more at their table.
Amish Thanksgiving asked for none of the usual trimmings—no fancy decorations, no store-bought extravagance, no Sunday-best finery. It only asked for home, warmth, authenticity, and the quiet gift of being fully present.
If you want to practice it this year, cook one thing from scratch and give half away.
Creamy Apple Pie
Try this apple pie recipe from the Amish – I made it for my family Thanksgiving gathering last year and it was a hit!
Filling
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup thick sour cream (full-fat, the way they churn it)
- ¾ cup white sugar
- 3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp. salt
- 3 heaping cups peeled and thinly sliced tart apples (Greening, Jonathan, or whatever the fall orchard gave)
- Ground cinnamon for dusting
Crumble Topping
- ¼ cup brown sugar (packed)
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 Tbsp. cold butter, cut into small pieces
Directions
Beat eggs, whisk in sour cream, then sugar, flour, vanilla, and salt. Fold in apples. Pour into unbaked 9-inch crust; dust with cinnamon. Bake at 375 °F for 15 minutes. Mix topping with fork until crumbly, sprinkle over pie, and bake another 20–30 minutes until set. Cool before slicing.
From a recipe contributed by C. Miller in an Amish community cookbook
Flaky Pie Crust
(Makes enough for two double-crust pies or three single-crust pies)
- 3 cups pastry flour (or all-purpose in a pinch)
- 1 generous pinch of salt
- 1 cup lard or non-hydrogenated shortening, chilled
- ½ cup ice-cold water (you may need 1–2 Tbsp. more)
Directions
Mix flour and salt. Cut in lard until crumbly. Sprinkle water over, toss with fork until dough holds together. Divide into 2–3 balls, flatten into disks, wrap, and chill 30 minutes before rolling.
From a recipe contributed by N. Schwartz in an Amish community cookbook
Wherever you spend your Thanksgiving this year, may your table be full — of food, and of love. — Haley Straw
Haley Straw spent eight years driving full-time for the Amish and now writes from her century-old jailhouse home in rural Missouri. A homeschooling mom of six and author of Tales of an Amish Taxi Driver, she shares true stories, Amish wisdom, and simple, heartfelt recipes inspired by the families she serves. Find her books and free Amish-inspired extras — from printable calendars and bookmarks to easy recipes — at haleystraw.com.
Reply
Hey, Haley Kannscht Du Schwetze Deitsch? (Can you speak Dutch?)Can you pick up on any of the Pennsylvania German in Amish peoples conversations? If you really pay attention and can pick out words then it can get really easy to pick up on and get the overall meaning or point of the conversation. I really enjoyed the article and will be passing the recipe down to the women folk in my family…since I am a guy I don’t do much cooking!
“The family that works together, eats together, and prays together, stays together.”- Amish Proverb
Great!
Hi Daniel, I do not have the gift of tongues. The Amish can get nearly anything past me, speaking in their language. There is, however, a local driver who has learned their language and speaks fluently. I only know a few words of Pennsylvania Dutch – dinn rint – that’s what the Amish have affectionately nicknamed me.
I appreciate your kind words and am glad you’ll be sharing a little piece of Amish Thanksgiving with your family.
Warmly, Haley
A thankful heart is a magnent for blessings. Amish Proverb
Comment
Do you know what it means? Dinn = thin and Rint = heifer! Would you say the name fits well? Did they tell you what it meant? HAHA
Sincerely
Daniel M.
Thanksgiving Part 2
What an interesting, descriptive account of Thanksgiving with an Amish family. I’m definitely going to try the recipes. Thank you for such a pleasant journey for your readers.
Appreciation
Dear Eric,
Thank your for sharing Haley’s experiences as an Amish taxi driver. Thank you Amy for bringing your Amish experiences, viewed through the lense of en English to us!
Happy Thanksgiving from Switzerland, Hans
Comment
WOW! That is awsome…you are from Switzerland? I have never come across this on this website!
Greetings
Hans, thank you for your kind note from Switzerland. I’ve never visited your country, but I’ve spent time among the Swiss Amish in Berne, Indiana—their ancestors left Switzerland generations ago seeking a place to live their faith in peace.
Sending warm greetings to you from Missouri Amish country.
“Joy shared is joy multiplied.”
Thanksgiving blessings
I love that they invited you and your son- that’s how it should be. We invite our six boys and their families and anyone else we may know that could b alone for Thanksgiving. I do all the baking and cooking from scratch ( I do however buy a frozen turkey not a live one!!!) and I do put out my best dishes (don’t own china) and make flower arrangements for a center piece. It’s a special day to look back at the year so far and count our blessings- a roof over our heads, clothes on our backs- sons, daughter in laws & grand who are healthy!! God’s goodness
Love
Pamela, that warms my heart! The Amish have a saying: “People with a heart for God have a heart for people.” I believe you like the Amish reflect that.
Many Blessings!
I just have to ask do you know what your nickname dinn rint means?? Pennsylvania Dutch was my first language and I smiled about that one!
Nickname
Yes, skinny heifer – the Amish always tease me about being thin, and haven’t yet succeeded in fattening me up despite how much rich, decadent food they’ve fed me over the years.
Yup, that’s correct! That’s a good thing you got genetics most people wish to have…. they say the same thing about me. So I guess welcome to the Dinn Rint family.
God bless!
Enjoy your Thanksgiving!
Family
Daniel, I’m happy to be a part of the Dinn Rint family. Thank you!
Take all you want, eat all you take. Amish Proverb
Haley Straw/Amish Taxi Driver/Amish Thanksgiving
Hi, Haley. Thanks so much for the Creamy Apple Pie recipe. I’ll have to try this one as it sounds delicious. I just love reading your stories. I wish I had more of an Amish mindset. I guess being English is (at times) a bit of a disadvantage to me. Lol. Have a marvelous day.
Haley Straw/Pie Recipe Question
Hey, Haley. Greetings! Thanks so much for the Creamy Apple Pie recipe. That sounds perfect on a cold day. Can it be served warm?? Would you suggest ice cream or a whipped topping?? About the crust: As I don’t have much time (or talent) can one use pre-made pie crusts instead?? I notice you live in a historic jail. Would you consider letting all of the Amish America readers see pictures of the interior and exterior some time?? I’m a fan of historic homes and buildings. (apologies in advance if it’s too personal a question) Have a blessed day!