The Amish are an intriguing group of people. They are infamous for their wisdom and simple lifestyle. The Amish live according to their religious values and beliefs that it pleases God to see His creation working in harmony with nature. Let me show you 10 Amish canning recipes you should know.

This is one of the reasons why they grow their own food. While they are well-known for their extraordinary baking capabilities, the Amish also love to can food. One of the main reasons for this is that it allows them to preserve seasonal produce so they have it readily available all year round. If you want some traditional Amish canning recipes, keep reading.

Basic Information About Amish People

The Amish originate from southern Germany and Switzerland. They emigrated to the United States in the 19th and 20th centuries and made their home in eastern Pennsylvania. They later settled in Kansas, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, and Canada.

The Amish avoid using electricity, they rarely use cars except in an emergency. Instead, they are transported in horse-drawn buggies and ride bicycles. They are well-respected for their farming capabilities. They grow the majority of their food and only purchase items such as flour and sugar from stores.

It’s no surprise that the Amish tend to live longer, healthier lives than most Americans. They aren’t constantly surrounded by screens, chemicals, or processed food. Their way of life, grounded in hard work, clean eating, and natural remedies might seem old-fashioned, but it’s stood the test of time.

If you’ve ever wondered how they manage to live so simply and still thrive, Eddie Swartzentruber, who was born and raised in one of the strictest Old Order Amish communities, offers a rare, first-hand look into that world.

In his world, even battery-powered lights were forbidden. After leaving the Amish, he decided to preserve the knowledge he grew up with before it disappeared for good. And for the first time ever, someone who actually lived this life from the inside reveals the exact canning methods, healing salves, homegrown remedies, and survival strategies his people have relied on for hundreds of years for their homegrown produce, and more.

This isn’t second-hand research. It’s real-life wisdom from someone who actually lived it all.

His book is available now—but only in limited quantities, since it’s printed in small batches to keep the quality true to its roots. If you’re lucky enough to get your hands on a copy, you’ll understand why this knowledge is too valuable to be lost.

👉 Click here to look inside the book, watch the short video, and see what it’s all about

Why Should You Know About Amish Canning

Canning done by the Amish is more than a preservation method—it’s a time-tested tradition rooted in simplicity, self-reliance, and seasonal rhythm. The Amish people, known for living in harmony with the land, have passed down canning practices for generations. These methods transform homegrown produce into nourishing meals that last through the winter and beyond. Whether you’re preparing pickled green beans or packing sweet relishes into a pint jar, each step is a connection to a lifestyle centered on resourcefulness and care.

By learning Amish canning recipes, you’re embracing a way of life that values preparation and waste reduction. Shelves filled with Amish canned goods—everything from colorful vegetables and fruits to even meats—are a common sight in Amish homes. These jars are more than food; they represent security, intention, and community. It makes sense that this approach is gaining popularity again, especially for those who want more control over their food sources and fewer additives in their meals.

And perhaps most importantly, understanding Amish canning brings back something many modern kitchens have lost: patience and practicality. It teaches you how to preserve your harvest with simple tools like a pressure canner, a large pot of boiling water, and fresh ingredients. Once you begin, you’ll see that this age-old practice offers something deeply rewarding—peace of mind in every sealed lid.

Advantages of Amish Method Canning

  1. Seasonal and Local Ingredients
    Amish canning relies heavily on what’s fresh and available, often using vegetables straight from the garden. This keeps nutrients intact and flavors vibrant. Whether you’re preserving green beans, onions, or peppers, you’re locking in taste and nutrition at their peak.
  2. Simple, Accessible Tools
    With just a pressure canner (and alternatively a cookbook), water bath setup, or steam canner, anyone can get started. Amish canning doesn’t depend on flashy equipment—it’s about mastering the fundamentals. A basic pint jar and clean work surface go a long way, especially for beginners.
  3. Wide Range of Foods
    From jams, pickles, and relish to hard boiled eggs and even meats, Amish canning covers it all. Whether you’re working with brine or sugar, vinegar or salt, the variety of ingredients and techniques allows you to stock a pantry that reflects your family’s taste and needs.
  4. Less Waste, More Security
    Canning helps preserve what would otherwise spoil. Fruits, vegetables, and cooked dishes can all be extended through careful storage. It’s an excellent way to stretch your harvest and ensure you have access to wholesome foods long after the growing season ends.
  5. Rooted in Tradition
    Each jar carries a story. Amish canning recipes are often shared between generations, combining old-world knowledge with practical methods. When you water bath canned tomatoes or prepare pickled eggs, you’re doing more than preserving food—you’re preserving heritage.

10 Amish Canning Recipes You Should Know

You can use the water bath canning method or the pressure canner method to can the recipes below.

Please note that process times will vary depending on the size of the jar you’re using. Check the National Center for Home Food Preservation website for exact times for these recipes.

1. Amish Canned Pepper Relish

This pepper relish recipe tastes delightful with any kind of meat.10 Canning Recipes From The Amish - Amish Canned Pepper Relish

Ingredients

  • 12 seeded and finely chopped sweet green peppers
  • 12 seeded and finely chopped sweet red peppers
  • 8 finely chopped small onions
  • 1 ½ cups of sugar
  • 1 quart of vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons of salt

Directions

  1. Combine the green peppers, red peppers, and onions in a bowl full of boiling water. Cover and leave the ingredients to sit for 5 minutes.
  2. Drain the water, add some more boiling water, cover and leave the ingredients to sit for 10 minutes.
  3. Tip the ingredients into a cheesecloth bag or a colander and leave it to drain overnight.
  4. The next day, add the salt, vinegar, and sugar, stir to combine, and boil for 20 minutes.
  5. Transfer the ingredients into jars and boil.

Related: Cheap Recipes To Keep You Well Fed In The Next Crisis

2. Amish Canning Recipes: Canned Chow Chow

This delicious combination of vegetables makes the perfect dipping sauce.10 Canning Recipes From The Amish - Amish Canned Chow Chow

  • 3 tablespoons of white mustard seeds
  • ½ a tablespoon of ginger
  • 1 ½ tablespoons of celery seeds
  • 3 deseeded and chopped sweet red peppers
  • 6 chopped large onions
  • 1-quart green tomatoes, chopped
  • 2 quarts of cabbage, chopped
  • Salt
  • 2 pounds of sugar
  • 8 cups of vinegar

Directions

  • Put all the vegetables into separate bowls.
  • Sprinkle some salt over them and leave the vegetables to sit for 4 hours.
  • Use a vegetable presser to squeeze the juice out of the vegetables until they’re completely dry.
  • Combine all the dry ingredients in a large saucepan and keep adding vinegar while stirring until a paste is formed.
  • Add the rest of the vinegar and bring the ingredients to a boil.
  • Turn the temperature down to low, and slow cook for 20 minutes.
  • Transfer the ingredients into jars and boil.

3. Amish Canning Recipes: Canned Pickled Red Beets

10 Canning Recipes From The Amish - Amish Canned Pickled Red Beets

Pickled red beets taste fantastic on a sandwich, or in a salad. You can even eat them on their own as a snack, and you rarely see it in a cookbook.

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds of beets
  • 1 teaspoon of allspice
  • 1 stick of cinnamon
  • ½ a cup of water
  • 1 pint of vinegar
  • 6 whole cloves
  • ½ a cup of sugar

Directions

  1. Soften the beets by boiling them, take the beets out, and remove the skins.
  2. Add the spices to a cheesecloth and tie it.
  3. Then, add the spices, vinegar, sugar, and water to the boiling water.
  4. Add the beets and boil for another 5 minutes.
  5. Transfer the beets into jars and boil.

4. Amish Canned Pickled Pears

There are a thousand reasons to can pears, most importantly, they taste absolutely delightful!10 Canning Recipes From The Amish - Amish Canned Pickled Pears

Ingredients

  • 14 pounds of pears, peeled, cored, and sliced
  • 1 teaspoon of whole cloves
  • 6 pounds of sugar
  • 1 quart of cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon of cinnamon sticks broken into pieces

Directions

  1. Put the spices into a cheesecloth bag.
  2. Combine the vinegar and sugar in a saucepan.
  3. Add the bag of spices and bring the ingredients to a boil.
  4. Add the pears and keep boiling until they become tender.
  5. Scoop out the pears and add them to jars.
  6. Keep boiling the syrup until it thickens.
  7. Spoon the syrup onto the pears and boil.

Related: Recipes I Made From The Lost Super Foods Book: Canned Hamburger Meat

5. Amish Canning Recipes: Spiced Gooseberries

Add some flavor to your gooseberries by infusing them with spices, trust me…you won’t be disappointed.

Ingredients

  • 5 pounds of ripe gooseberries
  • 3 teaspoons of allspice
  • 3 teaspoons of cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons of cloves
  • 2 cups of vinegar
  • 4 pounds of brown sugar

Directions

  1. Combine the gooseberries, vinegar, and sugar into a saucepan and cook on a low. temperature until the ingredients turn into a thick mixture.
  2. Transfer the mixture into jars and can.

6. Amish Canned Ginger Pears

Give your pears an additional kick by adding some ginger. You will add this to your personal cookbook.10 Canning Recipes From The Amish - Amish Canned Ginger Pears

Ingredients

  • 5 pounds of hard pears, peeled, cored, and diced
  • ½ a cup of chopped preserved ginger
  • The juice and rind of 3 lemons
  • 5 pounds of sugar
  • 3 cups of water

Directions

  1. Put the pears into a saucepan and cover them with water.
  2. Cook the pears at a low temperature until they become tender.
  3. Add the lime rind, lime juice, ginger, and sugar and stir to combine.
  4. Leave the mixture to simmer until the ingredients become thick and the pear is transparent.
  5. Transfer the pear mixture into jars and can.

7. Amish Canning Recipes: Ketchup

You’ll never need to worry about wasting tomatoes when you know how to make your own ketchup. Did you ever get some ketchup from the supermarket and it was just plain? Did you lose hope of finding one that tastes really good? This might very well be the very best one you ever tasted compared to store-bought ketchup.10 Canning Recipes From The Amish - Amish Canned Ketchup

Ingredients

  • 1 pint of apple cider vinegar
  • 3 quarts of tomato juice
  • 5 cups of sugar
  • 4 tablespoons of dry, ground mustard
  • 5 drops of cinnamon oil
  • 3 drops of clove oil
  • ¼ teaspoon of pepper
  • 1 teaspoon of salt

Directions

  1. Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan and boil until a thick mixture is formed, this will take around 2 ½ hours.
  2. Pour the ketchup into jars and boil.

8. Amish Canned Meatloaf

With this canned meatloaf recipe, you’ll always have a good hearty meal on standby.10 Canning Recipes From The Amish - Amish Canned Meatloaf

Ingredients

  • 2 diced onions
  • 4 eggs
  • 3 cups of milk
  • 1 cup of oatmeal
  • 36 saltine crackers
  • 4 slices of bread
  • ½ a cup of salt
  • 15 pounds of ground beef

Directions

  1. Combine the ingredients into a large mixing bowl and mix together thoroughly.
  2. Pack the mixture into canning jars and boil.

9. Amish Canning Recipes: Apple Pie Filling

Enjoy your apple harvest no matter what time of the year it is with this Amish apple pie filling recipe.10 Canning Recipes From The Amish - Amish Canned Apple Pie Filling

Ingredients

  • 7 pounds of fresh apples, sliced and peeled
  • ½ a teaspoon of nutmeg
  • 4 ½ cups of sugar
  • 1 cup of cornstarch
  • 10 cups of water
  • 1 ½ teaspoon of kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons of cinnamon
  • 3 tablespoons of lemon juice

Directions

  1. Fill your canning jars with apple slices.
  2. In a large saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and 10 cups of water, stir and boil until the ingredients become thick and bubbly.
  3. Take the saucepan off the stove, add the lemon juice and stir to combine.
  4. Pour the syrup on top of the apples leaving one inch of space at the top and then boil.

10. Amish Canning Recipes: Canned Coleslaw

It’s always good to have some coleslaw to hand, it goes well with any dish.10 Canning Recipes From The Amish - Amish Canned Coleslaw

Ingredients

  1. 1 finely chopped medium onion
  2. 2 bags of 16-ounce cabbage coleslaw mixture
  3. ¾ cup of vegetable oil
  4. 1 teaspoon of prepared mustard
  5. 1 teaspoon of white sugar
  6. a teaspoon of salt
  7. 1 teaspoon of celery seed
  8. 1 cup of vinegar

Directions

  1. Combine the onion, cabbage coleslaw mixture, and ¾ cup of sugar in a large bowl and toss to combine.
  2. In a small saucepan combine the oil, mustard, 1 teaspoon of sugar, celery seed, salt, and vinegar and bring the ingredients to a boil for three minutes.
  3. Leave the mixture to completely cool down, and then pour it over the coleslaw.
  4. Transfer the mixture into jars and boil.

Not only is canning a great way to preserve food, but you’ll always have a ready supply of meals available to you. These ten recipes are just the beginning of your canning journey… 

Final Thoughts – From Pickled Eggs To Amish Canned Goods

Amish traditional canning is a living tradition—one that bridges the wisdom of the past with the needs of today. It offers a way to make the most of your harvest, minimize waste, and build a pantry filled with wholesome, shelf-stable foods you can trust. From sweet jams to crisp pickled green beans and hearty canned meats, every jar tells a story of preparation, care, and seasonality. And it is very easy to have your own Amish canned goods in your pantry. Just remember that pressure canning is the only safe way to get it done right and protect yourself in any situation.

What makes Amish methods for canning truly special is its simplicity. You don’t need high-tech equipment or complicated steps—just fresh ingredients, a little time, and a willingness to learn. Additionally, whether you’re using a pressure canner, a basic boiling water setup, or even exploring a steam canner, the process is as rewarding as the results. Even beginners will find that, with a few core recipes and some patience, a pantry full of amish canned goods is well within reach.

In the end, it’s not just about preserving food—it’s about preserving a way of life. A life where self-sufficiency is valued, where nothing goes to waste, and where each pint jar represents peace of mind, nourishment, and the quiet satisfaction of doing it yourself.

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