“Cooking is all about people. Food is maybe the only universal thing that really has the power to bring everyone together. No matter what culture, everywhere around the world, people eat together.” -Guy Fieri
Regardless of the language, the culture, the colour of our skin, the religion we practice, or the company we keep, food is an essential part of life.
While some would prefer the more efficient route of taking a pill filled with the necessary nutrients to satisfy their bodies and appetites, on the other hand, there are others who are passionate about the eating and cooking experience of spending hours around a dining table.
The joy of sharing food with others has influenced certain individuals to consider honing their cooking skills, learning new recipes, or attending culinary schools to dedicate themselves to a career as a chef.
When studying cuisine or simply by analysing recipes an individual recognises how many types of dishes there are from lands across the globe. Also, since every country has distinct signature dishes, a person could spend their whole life studying and exploring international cuisine and never reach its end.
Therefore, because of a lack of time, let’s focus on national English food that can be savoured in cities such as London, Manchester, Glasgow, and Belfast and analyse what are the top ten most traditional British dishes?
What are the Top Ten Most Traditional British Dishes?
Upon a trip to the UK, there are certain dishes that every visitor should try at least once to get a feel for British cuisine.
So, without further ado, Let’s consider the top ten most traditional English meals that can be nicely accompanied by a cup of tea or your favourite pint - other British classics!
Fish and Chips
If you asked any foreigner about British cuisine and what they know, they are most likely going to point out fish and chips as the most typically English meal — and they aren’t wrong!
No matter where you are in the UK, from London to Belfast, you have to try some fish and chips at a local pub. The greasy chips and the crisply battered fish are enough to send you to food heaven.
Bangers and Mash
For those who don’t know what the term “bangers” means, it’s another word for sausages; so, don't be afraid. Therefore, as the name suggests, “bangers and mash” and cooked sausages and mashed potatoes.
To make this dish a little fancier, typical “bangers and mash” come with peas and gravy. It’s possible to find bangers and mash in most pubs across London if you're on a visit. Also, for those who prefer to eat in, it’s extremely easy to make at home.
Steak and Kidney Pie
Another savoury dish that is greatly loved by Brits is steak and kidney pie. A combination of beef steak, kidney, fried onion, gravy, and topped with a buttery pastry, steak and kidney pie is a perfect meal during cold autumn days or frigid winter nights.
Most British restaurants that are known for serving British fare in the UK will offer steak and kidney pie on the menu. Even if the word "kidney" throws you off, it’s definitely worth trying. And, if you’re living outside the UK, there are plenty of straightforward recipes that can be found on the internet on how to make steak and kidney pie.
Shepherd’s Pie
Enjoyed in the UK and many other English speaking countries such as Canada and the United States, shepherd’s pie originates from Britain and is a delicious slice of comfort food. Made with minced lamb, thinly diced vegetables (carrots, tomatoes, and onions), and mashed potatoes on the top, shepherd’s pie is easy to make. While not typical, some add some cheese on top of the potatoes for a little extra flavour.
Don’t be fooled, shepherd’s pie does not have a flaky pie crust on top!
It's worth stating that most cooks in UK-based households know how to make Shepherd’s pie because it's a classic. Also, for adventurous home cooks who want to try something related to Shepherd's pie, there is Cottage pie. The only difference between the two is that Cottage pie has minced beef instead of lamb.
Yorkshire Pudding
Another famous English recipe is Yorkshire pudding. In fact, Yorkshire pudding is so acclaimed and appreciated by the Brits that there’s even a British Yorkshire pudding day!
Cooked and made to accompany other dishes, Yorkshire pudding is a baked pudding, not to be mistaken with a sweet dessert, that is made from a batter of eggs, flour, and milk or water. The batter and the texture of Yorkshire pudding are like that of pancake.
Yorkshire pudding is extremely versatile since it can be eaten in the morning, the afternoon, or for dinner. "Dripping pudding" as it used to be called, can be served as a main dish, an appetizer, or with your favourite meat such as roast beef, pork, or lamb. Best served with some onion gravy to create a symphony for your tastebuds!
Toad in the Hole
Another national recipe that is typically British, Toad in the Hole includes sausages in Yorkshire pudding batter. It’s usually served by home cooks and at restaurants with gravy, potatoes, and some veggies.
It’s worth stating that there are variations of Toad in the Hole that can be mixed with other seasonings and flavours.
Sunday Roast
Who loves Sundays? For most, Sundays are fantastic days for working professionals to chill out with their family and friends before starting another five day work week. To make Sundays even more appealing, in the UK, there is a wonderful dish known as Sunday roast. While you don’t always have to enjoy a Sunday roast on a Sunday, most Brits absolutely adore their Sunday roast dinners.
Sunday roast consists of roast meat such as chicken, beef, lamb, or pork served with roasted potatoes, stuffing, vegetables such as peas, carrots, Brussel sprouts, and parsnips, to name a few.
Also, if you want to go full English, serve your Sunday roast with some Yorkshire puddings.
Full English Breakfast
After a night of having a few too many brewskis at the pub, there is nothing better to wake up to than a Full English breakfast. Typical of the United Kingdom, Full English breakfasts are the perfect combination of grease and salt.
A classic Full English breakfast consists of bacon, sausages, eggs, baked beans, toasts, mushrooms, tomatoes, hash browns, and black puddings. Truthfully, English Breakfast is the perfect meal for brunch fans!
Trifle
Since we’ve primarily mentioned savoury dishes on our list of top ten English meals, it’s time to focus on some sweeter options. Such as? Trifle.
Trifle is a delightfully sweet and textured British dessert that features layers of pudding upon pudding and then it’s covered with whipped cream. Trifles can be found across the UK on the menus of the most respectable restaurants, coffee shops, and tea houses.
If you want to make the best trifle possible, we highly recommend adding sprinkles, a cherry on top, and dousing it with fortified wine to make it pop!
Scones
Last but definitely not least on our list, scones are a classic example of British food. Crunchy and almost dry on the outside yet spongy and moist on the inside, scones are appreciated by UK citizens in the afternoon with their cuppas.
Typical British scones are not mixed with extravagant flavours as they are in North America and other places. Also, to make them a little more sweet and delicious, jam and cream are added to the scones. There’s still a massive debate amongst Brits as to whether the jam or the cream goes first; the real answer may never be uncovered!
Final Thoughts
Additionally, even though curries and dishes hailing from India aren't necessarily British, because of so much immigration over the last few decades, Indian cuisine has been linked with the UK and many Brits would state that Chicken Tikka Masala is more popular than many of the other dishes mentioned in today's article.
Have you enjoyed our journey through British cuisine? Did you learn more about food hailing from England by reading this article than you ever thought was possible? We sure hope so!
If you’re not from the UK and don't have plans to visit any time shortly, a great solution to trying British foods is looking up recipes online. There are plenty of step-by-step guides from reputable British magazines, chefs, and websites that show foreign home cooks how to create signature British dishes from the comfort of their homes. Happy eating!
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