Old Fashioned Amish Beef

Here’s a classic Old-Fashioned Amish Beef recipe—simple, hearty, and slow-cooked the traditional way.

Old-Fashioned Amish Beef (Slow Simmered)

Ingredients

• 2 lbs beef chuck or round, cut into large chunks

• 2 tbsp oil or butter

• 1 large onion, sliced

• 2–3 cups beef broth or water

• 1 cup crushed tomatoes or tomato juice

• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

• 2 tbsp brown sugar

• 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)

• ½ tsp black pepper

• ½ tsp paprika

• ¼ tsp ground cloves or allspice (optional, very traditional)

• 2 tbsp flour + 2 tbsp water (for thickening, optional)

Instructions

1. Brown the beef
   Heat oil in a heavy pot or Dutch oven. Brown beef on all sides, then remove and set aside.

2. Cook the onions
   Add onions to the pot and cook until soft and lightly golden.

3. Simmer
   Return beef to the pot. Add broth, tomatoes, vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper, paprika, and cloves/allspice. Stir gently.

4. Slow cook
   Cover and simmer on low heat for 2½–3 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beef is very tender.

5. Thicken (optional)
   Mix flour and water, stir into the pot, and simmer 5–10 minutes until slightly thickened.

How It’s Traditionally Served

• Over mashed potatoes

• With buttered egg noodles

• Alongside bread and pickles

• Often with green beans or cooked carrots

Amish-Style Tips

• Low and slow is key—never rush it

• The sweet-and-sour balance (vinegar + sugar) is what makes it authentic

• Tastes even better the next day

If you want, I can also share a slow-cooker version, a no-tomato version, or how Amish families traditionally served this at church gatherings.