The Adventist Haystack (It’s Not What You Think) + 4 Recipes

If you’ve ever heard Seventh-day Adventists mention “haystacks,” they’re probably not talking about literal stacks of hay.

Haystacks are basically a taco salad—with an Adventist spin on it! Most versions are vegetarian and offer an endless combination of tasty toppings. We eat them often because they’re healthy, scrumptious, and easy to make.

But where exactly did haystacks come from? And who came up with such an unusual name?

Get to know more about this interesting part of Adventist culture in the following sections:

• What are haystacks?
• The history of haystacks
• Why Adventists eat them

Let’s dig in!

What are haystacks?

Haystacks are a customizable, healthy, and delicious meal often served at Adventist gatherings. They have all the major components of a taco salad for people to assemble themselves. We typically start our haystacks with a bed of corn or tortilla chips, followed by lettuce, beans, cheese, salsa, and sour cream.

Most Adventists make their haystacks vegetarian.

But the great thing about this meal is that it’s customizable. You can make it light or hearty and use any toppings you want for a variety of flavors and textures.

Some might opt for fresh ingredients from the grocery store, but for those on a budget, canned goods work just as well. They don’t require much prep work—you only have to heat up a couple of ingredients. From there, it’s just a matter of placing the toppings in different bowls and letting your guests put it together.

The history of haystacks

Photo by Chad Montano on Unsplash

The idea for haystacks all began with an Adventist woman named Ella May Hartlein who loved Mexican-inspired food.¹

In the 1950s Mrs. Hartlein lived in Arizona, where she and her family enjoyed a variety of Mexican cuisine. But they eventually moved to the northeast, where she couldn’t find many Mexican restaurants.²

That’s when she decided to cook up a little something herself.

She first showcased her dish at a local picnic, and it was an instant hit! After that, it was called “the Hartlein special” until it was given the name “haystacks.”³

How this name came about is still a mystery.

But it’s not hard to guess that haystacks got their name from the way they’re shaped. A big mound of lettuce and crispy corn chips—plus all the toppings—might remind you of a stack of hay.

Turns out, all those toppings do more than add taste. Adventists have some other good reasons for eating them.

Why Adventists eat haystacks

Haystacks are a great meal to have if you’re looking for something quick, easy, and inexpensive. And Adventists especially enjoy them because they offer a healthy meal that coincides with our desire to care for our bodies.

Photo from Unsplash

One principle we hold dear is the principle of healthy living. That’s why many of our dishes are plant-based or vegetarian—haystacks included. Plant foods are full of nutrients to effectively fuel our bodies.

Here are just a couple of examples of what you’ll find in haystacks:

• Tomatoes, avocados, and certain beans are high in potassium.⁴
• Bell peppers are high in vitamin A.⁵
• Beans and leafy greens are high in⁶ calcium.

Not to mention that the whole dish is high in fiber and low in cholesterol (or even cholesterol-free if you’re making a vegan version). Beans make it a great protein option, too (especially for vegetarians).

Although not all Adventists are vegetarian, many have benefited from these plant-based benefits. In fact, Adventists are some of the longest living people in the world, mainly because of what we eat.⁷

Healthy eating matters to us because we want to care for our bodies, which the Bible says are temples of the Holy Spirit:

“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20, NKJV).

Taking care of our bodies is a way to thank God for all He’s done for us. Through healthy habits, we glorify Him, serve Him better, and experience a higher quality of life.

Try haystacks for a simple and healthy meal

Haystacks demonstrate that eating healthy doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. Something as simple and cheap as this Adventist classic can turn canned vegetables into a satisfying meal you’ll look forward to having again and again.

And it’ll put you on the path to trying some other healthy and delicious meals!

Want the ultimate guide to practical Adventist eating? Look no further than our Adventist nutrition article for practical tips on staying healthy and living longer.

4 Mouthwatering Haystack Recipes

Photo by Tijana Drndarski on Unsplash

Interested in making haystacks at home? We’ve got four tasty recipes just for you!

Each of these recipes serves about six people. Because they are so simple, they require little to no prep time. Put all of the ingredients in separate bowls so each person can add whichever toppings they want.

Place any perishable leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge. Most of your toppings should last about a week.

The Original

• 4 bags (262 g) of Fritos corn chips
• 1 large can (40.5 oz) of cooked kidney beans
• 1 package (340 g) of veggie taco meat 
• 2 bags (227 g) of shredded iceberg lettuce
• 1 small can (6 oz) of sliced black olives
• 1 diced tomato
• 1 diced onion
• 1 bag (226 g) of shredded cheese (dairy or plant-based)
• 1 container (16 oz) of sour cream (dairy or plant-based)
• 1 jar (16 oz) salsa 
• 1 container (16 oz) of guacamole

Instructions: Heat up the kidney beans and veggie taco meat. Get a large dinner plate and layer on the ingredients—corn chips first, then the beans, taco meat, lettuce, shredded cheese, vegetables, and toppings. You can use your fork or corn chips to scoop up your haystack.

Pinto Bean Haystack

• 2 large bags of lime tortilla chips 
• 3 cups of cooked white rice
• 2 cans (16 oz) of cooked pinto beans
• 1 jar (45 oz) of warm Ragu pasta sauce (tomato, garlic, and onion flavor)
• 1 bag (226 g) of shredded cheese (dairy or plant-based)
• 1 container (16 oz) of sour cream (dairy or plant-based)
• 1 container (16 oz) of guacamole

Instructions: Heat up the white rice, pinto beans, and Ragu sauce. Get a large plate and stack the white rice, pinto beans, Ragu sauce, shredded cheese, sour cream, and guacamole. Mix these ingredients together on your plate and scoop them up with your lime tortilla chips.

Southern Special

• 4 bags (262 g) of Fritos chili cheese corn chips 
• 1 can (16 oz) of grilled corn kernels
• 3 cups Spanish rice 
• 1 sautéed onion
• 2 sautéed bell peppers
• 2 cans (16 oz) of cooked black beans
• 1 jar (16 oz) of warm queso (or 2 cups of homemade vegan cheese sauce)
• 1 container (16 oz) of sour cream (dairy or plant-based)
• 1 jar (16 oz) of salsa
• 1 container (16 oz) of guacamole

Photo by Cristina Anne Costello on Unsplash

Instructions: Cook the corn, Spanish rice, onions, and peppers. Heat up the black beans and queso. Get a big plate and layer on the ingredients—first with the corn chips, then the Spanish rice, black beans, corn, onions, peppers, and additional toppings. Use a fork or your corn chips to scoop up this tasty meal!

Rainbow Haystacks

• 2 bags of blue corn chips
• 1 can (40.5 oz) of cooked red kidney beans
• 3 cups of cooked brown rice
• 2 bags (227 g) of shredded iceberg lettuce
• 1 sliced head of red cabbage
• 1 diced red onion 
• 1 diced tomato 
• 2 shredded carrots
• 2 diced orange bell peppers
• 2 bags (226 g) of shredded cheddar cheese (dairy or plant-based) 
• 1 bottle (24 oz) of ranch dressing (dairy or plant-based) 
• 1 container (16 oz) of sour cream (dairy or plant-based)
• 1 jar (16 oz) of salsa
• 1 container (16 oz) of guacamole

Instructions: Heat up the kidney beans. Get a big plate and stack the toppings. Start with the corn chips, then the rice, beans, lettuce, additional veggies, and final toppings like cheese and sour cream. This is a great option for kids. The rainbow theme can help them overlook the veggies, meaning they get a meal that’s nutritious and fun.