British cuisine often gets a bad rap, but there’s so much more to it than fish and chips. The UK is home to a rich culinary tradition filled with comforting, hearty, and absolutely delicious dishes, with something to offer everyone. Let’s dive into the 17 best British foods that will tantalise your taste buds.
Full English Breakfast
According to BBC Good Food, the Full English Breakfast is the result of “a centuries-long coming together of the nation’s favourite breakfast items.” The ultimate way to start your day, this meal typically includes bacon, sausages, eggs (fried, scrambled, or poached), grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, baked beans, black pudding, and toast or fried bread.
Sunday Roast
The Sunday Roast is a beloved British tradition. It’s usually served on Sunday afternoons and features roasted meat (often beef, chicken, lamb, or pork), potatoes (roasties are a must), Yorkshire puddings, vegetables, and lashings of gravy. It’s a meal designed for family gatherings, bringing everyone together around the table.
Fish and Chips
A classic from the UK that you can’t miss, fish and chips bring together freshly fried fish, typically cod or haddock, coated in a light, crispy batter and thick-cut chips. Add a sprinkle of salt and a splash of vinegar, and you’ve got a seaside staple that’s hard to beat.
Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd’s Pie is the epitome of comfort food. This dish features a savoury filling of minced lamb cooked with onions, carrots, and peas, all topped with a layer of creamy mashed potatoes, and it’s baked until golden and crispy on top.
Cornish Pasty
A portable and delicious meal wrapped in pastry, the Cornish pasty originates from Cornwall. It’s traditionally filled with beef, potatoes, swede, and onions. The ingredients are encased in a shortcrust pastry and baked to perfection, making it a filling snack or lunch option.
Bangers and Mash
Bangers and Mash is a simple yet satisfying dish of sausages and mashed potatoes. The sausages, or “bangers,” are usually made from pork and can be flavoured with various herbs and spices. They’re served atop a generous helping of creamy mashed potatoes, often with a rich onion gravy poured over the top.
Ploughman’s Lunch
Ideal for a light meal, a Ploughman’s Lunch is a delightful spread of cold items, typically including cheese (such as cheddar or Stilton), crusty bread, pickles, chutney, ham, and a fresh apple. This rustic meal is perfect for picnics or a casual lunch at home.
Steak and Kidney Pie
Steak and Kidney Pie is another classic. It’s filled with tender pieces of steak and kidneys cooked in a rich, savoury gravy. The filling is encased in a flaky, buttery pastry that adds the perfect crunch. This dish is often enjoyed in pubs.
Eton Mess
Eton Mess is a deliciously messy dessert that’s incredibly easy to make. It’s a perfect mix of crushed meringues, whipped cream, and fresh strawberries. The combination of textures—crunchy meringues, fluffy cream, and juicy berries—creates a delightful treat that’s perfect for summer.
Victoria Sponge Cake
The light, airy Victoria Sponge cake is made with simple ingredients – butter, sugar, eggs, and flour – and filled with jam and whipped cream or buttercream. It’s named after Queen Victoria, who was known to enjoy a slice with her afternoon tea.
Toad in the Hole
Toad in the Hole is a fun and tasty dish featuring sausages baked in a Yorkshire pudding batter. The result is a crispy, golden-brown batter encasing juicy sausages, all served with onion gravy and vegetables. It’s a comforting meal that’s loved by both kids and adults.
Scotch Eggs
Scotch eggs are a popular snack that’s perfect for picnics or parties. They consist of a hard or soft-boiled egg wrapped in sausage meat, coated in breadcrumbs, and deep-fried until golden. The combination of the crispy exterior, savoury sausage, and tender egg is irresistible.
Scones with Clotted Cream and Jam
No British food list would be complete without mentioning scones with clotted cream and jam. This quintessential afternoon tea treat is beloved across the UK. The scones are light and fluffy, often slightly sweet, and are split open and topped with a generous dollop of clotted cream and a spoonful of jam.
Bubble and Squeak
Bubble and Squeak is a clever and tasty way to use up leftover vegetables. It’s typically made from leftover potatoes and cabbage, mashed together, and fried until crispy on the outside. However, this dish can also include other vegetables like carrots, peas, and Brussels sprouts.
Welsh Rarebit
A posh name for what is essentially cheese on toast, Welsh Rarebit is so much more than that. This dish features a rich cheese sauce made with strong cheddar, beer or ale, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce, poured over slices of toasted bread and grilled until bubbly and golden.
Spotted Dick
Spotted Dick is a traditional British pudding that’s as delicious as it’s whimsically named. This suet pudding is studded with dried fruits, such as currants and raisins, which give it the ‘spotted’ appearance. It’s then steamed to perfection and typically served with custard.
Sticky Toffee Pudding
And finally, Sticky Toffee Pudding is a rich and decadent dessert that’s hard to resist. This sponge cake is made with finely chopped dates and covered in a luscious toffee sauce. It’s usually served warm, often with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of cream, and the contrast between the warm, sticky pudding and the cold ice cream creates the perfect dessert.
