Do the Amish Eat Pork? Yes! (And Some Delicious Recipes) (2024)

There are many religious groups that don’t eat pork, and that might make you wonder: do the Amish eat pork? Yhe answer is yes, they do.

Pork is actually a big part of the Amish diet, and is eaten often in several forms.

What this article covers:

  • Amish Food Rules
  • Are the Amish Allowed to Eat Pork?

Amish Food Rules

The Amish don’t have specific “eating rules”, but they do have rules about how you can prepare and store it. Because of their beliefs, the Amish largely reject the use of modern technology.

This includes electricity, and Amish houses aren’t allowed to be connected to electric grids. Then, how do the Amish keep food cold?And why is Amish food so good?

Luckily there are a wide variety of ways that they can keep food cold without electricity, like ice boxes and cold streams. Some more moderate Amish communities also allow the use of gas fridges to store food.

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Do the Amish Have Any Food Restrictions?

While there are many rules and restrictions in the Amish community, food restrictions aren’t actually prevalent. There are no foods that the broader Amish community is forbidden from eating.

People sometimes struggle to believe this, and ask questions like do Amish people drink coffee? And yes, they do, quite a lot.

Another popular question is do the Amish drink alcohol? For the most part, yes. Most Amish denominations, including Old Order Amish, permit drinking alcohol, even if it isn’t encouraged.

So the Amish community as a whole doesn’t have any food restrictions, but certain sects within the community do enforce stricter rules. This is seen with many things, including food, technology, and separation from the world.

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Are the Amish Allowed to Eat Pork?

Because there are no food restrictions, or notions of pigs being unclean, the Amish can eat pork.

Amish Pork Dishes

Because of the importance of pigs in Amish farm culture, pork is present in many different Amish dishes. Here are some of the best Amish pork dishes.

It results in hearty homecooked meals, as well as exquisitely crafted vintage sewing baskets and wicker laundry baskets. The Amish dedication to simplicity and authenticity makes both their food and their crafts wonderful.

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Scrapple

One of the most famous Amish pork dishes, scrapple is a breakfast staple in most Amish households. To make it, you need pork scrap and trimmings. Mix them with cornmeal and wheat flour.

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Then season it with your favorite spices and form it into a loaf shape. Cut the loaf into thick slices and then pan-fry them for a delicious pork dish. Scrapple is often served with bread fresh out of the homemade bread box.

Pork Chops

Another traditional Amish meal is pork chops, often prepared in a sauce made up of mushroom soup, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and chopped onions.

Cover the chops in this sauce and then bake them for 1.5-2 hours.

Ham And Green Beans

For this dish, cook the ham in seasoned water for a few hours, then add beans and potatoes to the same pot. Cook for another 25 minutes, or until the potatoes are soft.

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Conclusion

So, when it comes to wondering if the Amish do eat pork, the answer is yes. It’s also true that Amish people are allowed to eat anything unless they belong to a specific sub-denomination that has food restrictions.

Amish pork dishes aren’t too dissimilar to those found in most American homes. They’re just made without electricity. Now tell us that doesn’t impress you much!

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Do the Amish Eat Pork? Yes! (And Some Delicious Recipes) (2024)

FAQs

Do the Amish Eat Pork? Yes! (And Some Delicious Recipes)? ›

Yhe answer is yes, they do. Pork is actually a big part of the Amish diet, and is eaten often in several forms.

Do Amish eat pork? ›

Do Amish eat pork? Meat, eggs, and dairy products are integral to the Amish diet. They raise chickens, cows, and pigs for food. Pork is a favorite because of its affordability and availability in local markets.

What is the most popular Amish food? ›

These are some of the classics you simply must try while visiting this part of the world:
  • Butter Noodles. The Amish love of carbohydrates includes noodles as a staple accompaniment to many meals. ...
  • Breakfast Casserole. ...
  • Shoofly Pie. ...
  • Dutch Cabbage Rolls. ...
  • Pickled Beets. ...
  • Chicken Corn Soup. ...
  • Pot Pies. ...
  • Bologna.

What foods do Amish not eat? ›

The Amish Have No Dietary Restrictions

Having no dietary restrictions means they can eat whatever their heart desires. While many Amish stick to a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch diet, we've seen Amish dine at Olive Garden and take their buggies through the Burger King drive thru line.

Do Amish eat jello? ›

Most meals are topped off with desserts. They can range from a layered jello dessert to cake to ice cream to homemade pies. The sweet tooth reigns in Amish communities.

Do Amish eat potato chips? ›

Snack foods include homemade cookies because there are usually some around. They also like potato chips and pretzels, and a lot of popcorn is made.

Do Amish people eat pizza? ›

According to the Amish 365 website, pizza is a favorite for Amish families. “The Amish have had a long love affair with pizza,” the site, which focuses on Amish and Mennonite recipes and culture, states.

How do Amish keep food from spoiling? ›

Root Cellars

These structures use the earth's natural properties to maintain controlled temperatures and steady humidity. The Amish store fruits, nuts, vegetables, and other types of food in root cellars. They also store canned goods in the root cellar to help them get through the winter months.

Can the Amish use toilet paper? ›

Use of Toilet Paper Among the Amish

In the Amish community's approach to using toilet paper, there is a distinctive balance between traditional practices and the need for modern hygiene. Many traditional Amish communities view toilet paper as an indulgence, prioritizing essential needs like food and clothing.

Do Amish people eat ice cream? ›

A chicken stewed in a pot might have been clucking around the yard just a day earlier! Their desserts, on the other hand, have a delightful, child-like innocence to them. Whoopie pies, shoo-fly pie, and homemade ice creams aren't drenched in complexity but are deliciously straightforward.

What religion doesn't eat pork? ›

Both Judaism and Islam have prohibited eating pork and its products for thousands of years. Scholars have proposed several reasons for the ban to which both religions almost totally adhere. Pork, and the refusal to eat it, possesses powerful cultural baggage for Jews.

What ethnic group does not eat pork? ›

Pork is a food taboo among Jews, Muslims, and some Christian denominations. Swine were prohibited in ancient Syria and Phoenicia, and the pig and its flesh represented a taboo observed, Strabo noted, at Comana in Pontus.

Why don t Mennonites eat pork? ›

Since many Mennonites live on farms, they are more likely to eat food grown from the land and the animals on the farm. These animals usually consist of beef, chicken, and pork. These products are grown on their farms so as not to use modern packaging such as plastics or the chemicals that plastics include.

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