30 dishes of typical food from England

England is a country of many traditions and customs, some dating back to ancient times. One of those traditions is gastronomy.

Today we are going to talk about the offer you will get on your trip when you decide to try the typical food of England.

1. Full English Breakfast

Its origins are very remote and today nobody leaves aside an exquisite English breakfast to start the day with a lot of energy and well fed.

English breakfast includes fried, scrambled or poached eggs, bacon, sausages, toast and butter. Some variations include roasted tomatoes and mushrooms, French fries, baked beans, and scallops.

There are places where they serve a “full English breakfast” all day. It is accompanied by a cup of very hot tea, milk or coffee, according to preferences.

2. Sunday roast

Sunday is the best day to eat a delicious roast consisting of chicken, pork, veal or lamb. This is another of the typical foods of England.

This delicious dish –in addition to the selected roast meat– is served with roasted or mashed potatoes and vegetables (such as Brussels sprouts, peas, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, leeks or parsnips).

Cupcakes made with flour, milk and eggs are also added to the dish. These cupcakes are the “yorkshire pudding”. All this is accompanied by a very tasty and appetizing sauce called “gravy”.

Currently there is a version of this meal for vegetarians, prepared with nuts and cheese. The Sunday roast can also be offered as a roast dinner.

3. Yorkshire pudding

It is the traditional accompaniment to the roast and although it appears to be sweet from its appearance, it is not really a pudding.

It is, rather, a roll made with flour, eggs, milk and lard or butter. It bears no resemblance or relation to the classic sweet pudding of American cuisine.

4. Foot

A typical food from England that bears a certain resemblance to cakes or pies. It is a dough stuffed with chicken with mushrooms, veal and kidneys or veal with beer”.

After being assembled, the cake or “pie” is baked and served with potatoes and vegetables, as well as gravy.

Something very easy and quick to eat, very common in the streets and ideal if you have no idea what to eat at any given time in London.

5. Fillet of beef covered in puff pastry

A dish that you may have heard mentioned at some time. It is a typical food from England and is prepared with beef or beef.

Take the fillet, wrap it in puff pastry and take it to the oven. Previously, a layer of pate and a mixture of vegetables with onions and mushrooms cut very finely are applied to the piece of meat.

Once this is done, it is covered with the puff pastry and baked. It is served with roasted potatoes. In any food establishment you can taste a «beef wellington» or veal fillet covered in puff pastry when you are in England.

6. Sausages in Yorkshire Pudding

Yorkshire pudding is once again present in this typical English meal and it is a very easy dish to prepare.

These are sausages coated in a generous amount of Yorkshire pudding; They are generally served with a sauce made up of vegetables and meat.

In England, Yorkshire pudding is used for many dishes because it is highly sought after by the British.

7. Stuffed potatoes

This typical food from England is the English proposal of tasty stuffed potatoes.

It consists of a whole baked potato, which is opened in the center to first put butter and then fillings to taste (such as tuna with mayonnaise, minced meat, cheese with beans, cheese mixtures and any other favorite filling).

A very simple dish, but full of flavor that you must try when you visit England.

8. Sausages with mashed potatoes (Bangers and Mash)

The English are lovers of sausages and eat them in various ways. In this typical English meal we have them served with mashed potatoes, another frequent ingredient in British cuisine.

Its curious name is due to the fact that when the dish began to be prepared, the sausages used were of inferior quality and, when cooked, they exploded like a firecracker, hence “Bangers”, which is a rocket that makes a lot of noise.

The grilled sausages are served on a plate of mashed potatoes and accompanied by one of the favorite sauces of the English, prepared with vegetable and meat broth, the gravy sauce.

Peas are also added to accompany the bangers and mash.

9. Fish and chips

Fish and chips are eaten all over England, especially in regions near or belonging to the coasts. Fish and chips is a typical food of England, known in much of the world.

This delicious and simple dish has been in English cuisine since around 1860, and you can buy it anywhere. Known simply as “chippy”, you have the option of acquiring it as a fast food.

It consists of pieces of fried potatoes, moistened in vinegar and sprinkled with salt that accompany a large fish fillet coated in flour and beer and then fried. On some occasions, mushy peas, tartar sauce, or a large lemon wedge are added.

The best fish to prepare chippy are cod and haddock, although varieties such as rock salmon, pollock and plaice are also used.

There are restaurants whose specialty is selling fish and chips. In the past, sales were made on the street and pieces of newspaper were used to wrap the food.

Currently some locals use a newspaper-style printed paper to remember the old days of the fish and chips wrapper (name of the dish in English).

10. Meatloaf

This is a dish full of many calories and will charge you with energy. It is one of the typical foods of England.

It consists of a pie of very finely minced lamb, peas and carrots, which is covered with mashed potatoes and some add a little cheese.

Then it is baked and the result is a dish that is undoubtedly very delicious. You can use another type of meat or fish, in this case it is called «fisherman’s pie».

For vegetarians there is also a variety made with vegetables.

11. Fish fingers, chips and beans

It is a typical food of England frequently used in meals at home and from children to adults enjoy it.

These are small battered and fried fish sticks, served with the inevitable English fries and canned beans in tomato sauce.

It is a dish used for any occasion, for dinner at home, any visit from friends or when you simply do not want to cook much.

12. Minced meat with potatoes and cabbage

This typical English meal is prepared with the leftovers from the Sunday roast.

Anything left over from the Sunday Roast is pan-fried and served all together, the meat chunks along with the carrots, Brussels sprouts, potatoes, peas, broad beans and any other vegetables that are available. It is a kind of jumble, very special and tasty.

13. Chicken tikka masala

A typical food from England that, although many claim that it is of Asian origin, was actually created by cooks from Bengal, India, upon arrival in Great Britain.

They are pieces of chicken cooked in masala sauce and meat broth. You can also bring coconut milk or tomato sauce and typical Indian spices.

This dish is so popular in England that a former British foreign minister went so far as to say that this is “the true national dish of Great Britain”.

In all the curry houses in England you can order Chicken Tikka Masala and savor a true culinary delight.

14. Plowman’s Lunch

This is not exactly a dish, since it is consumed more as an appetizer to snack on while having a few drinks in an English bar or pub. However, it is on the list of typical foods in England.

It is a dish that is served cold and is made up of pieces of local cheese (cheddar, with a touch of spice, is one of the options). In addition, the dish contains scallions or gherkins pickled in vinegar, called “pickles”, a little sausage such as ham or sausage, a piece of bread and butter.

On occasion you can include a piece of fruit like an apple or maybe some grapes.

This dish has its fans who defend it and eat it whenever they can and it also has those who oppose its existence. However, it is still served, so if you have the opportunity to try it when you travel to England, do not miss it.

15. Jelly eels

This typical food from England is a dish that has been around for many years, since for a few centuries, the poor of London have had it as one of their main foods.

Eels caught in the iconic River Thames are boiled in water and then cooled. When the temperature drops, the water in which the eels are found turns into a jelly that completely surrounds them.

It is likely that this typical dish will eventually disappear due to the decline in the population of eels in the Thames and some other factors.

So while they exist, don’t miss out on eating the jelly eels when you go to London.

16. Meat and onion empanada

A traditional dish from the town of Cornwall and that is part of the typical meals of England.

It is a very tasty way to eat meat with vegetables covered by a delicious dough in the form of a crispy crust.

The Cornish Pasty contains – in addition to beef, potatoes and onions – rutabagas (a vegetable similar to turnips.

It is cooked in the oven and is very tasty. Be sure to enjoy it when you are in Cornwall.

17. Haggis

It is the most traditional and popular dish in the region of Scotland and being this area of the United Kingdom, haggis are part of the typical meals of England.

This tasty meal is made up of rich pieces of roast lamb, which is mixed with onions, various aromatic herbs and spices. The ingredients are placed in a bag made of plastic and moved so that everything is perfectly integrated.

It is an exquisite dish, ideal for people who like foods with a lot of seasoning.

18. Bacon Sandwich

For a quick breakfast, nothing better than this typical food of England, a bacon sandwich, popular and desired in any corner of Great Britain.

It is made with bread rolls to which you put bacon, tomato and lettuce. It is a very economical option for breakfast and, in addition, easily accessible.

When the bread is freshly baked and the bacon is freshly cooked, the experience of eating one of these sandwiches is truly special and unforgettable.

Savor a nice, hot bacon sandwich when you travel to the UK, you won’t regret it.

19. Steak and Kidney Pie

This cake is one of the favorite dishes of the British and is included among the typical foods of England.

It is composed of beef, kidney, fried onion and sauce. All these ingredients are wrapped in a dough and baked in the oven to give an appetizing result that you must try when you visit England.

20. Bacon Wrapped Pork Sausages

As we have already seen, the English are fans of sausages and to confirm this fact we have this typical food from England.

It consists of pork sausages to which strips of bacon (the blankets) are placed around and put in the oven. Very often they are prepared to accompany roast meat.

21. Dover Sole

It is one of the typical foods of England and one of the fish with the most fans in this country.

Dover sole is eaten filleted, since it has a very soft and tender meat, it is often prepared grilled.

22. Trifle

Among the typical foods of England we have the desserts and this is one of them that, in addition, has many years of existence, since the first signs of the trifle are from 1585, when the recipe appeared in a cookbook written by Thomas Dawson, The Good Huswife Jewel .

The trifle consists of a combination of ingredients placed on top of each other, all sweet and varied such as biscuit pieces, fruit jelly, a typical English cream called “custard”, fruit pieces and whipped cream.

Every English home has its personal version of the trifle and it cannot be missed on occasions of celebration such as Christmas dinner and any other festive date.

23. Battenberg Pound Cake

Another dessert included in the typical meals of England is this cake whose distinctive feature appears when you cut it, as it shows four squares of alternating colors between yellow and pink.

Filled with apricot jam and covered with marzipan.

It is said that its origins date back to the 19th century and that its four squares are the representation of the princes of Battenberg and hence the name.

24. Sticky Toffee Pudding

It is one of the favorite desserts in the United Kingdom, one of the typical foods of England. It consists of a steamed cake and is literally soaked in liquid caramel. Sometimes it is served with vanilla ice cream to accompany it, but it can also be eaten alone.

25. Rice pudding

The well-known rice pudding is also included among the typical foods of England.

It consists of rice cooked with milk and raisins or cinnamon are added. It is said that it made its appearance in Tudor times, although the first known recipe dates back to 1615.

26. Tea

Tea is, without a doubt, the drink that represents England. Throughout the world it is known of the tradition and custom of the British to drink tea.

Although there is “Tea Time”, it really is a drink that is taken at any time of the day, from breakfast to dinner.

Everyone chooses the way to take it: alone, sweetened, with cream or milk. At tea time it is usually taken accompanied by cookies, a sandwich or some sweet pastry.

27. Barley water

Another of the typical drinks of England is barley water. It is prepared by boiling the grains of barley after which it is strained and sweetener is added to taste. It is consumed and considered as a soft drink.

28. Beer

Draft beer is very popular and traditional in the capital of Great Britain. It is served in pints or half pints and it is an experience that you should not miss when you visit London, as this city has a whole cultural tendency regarding beer.

Just as there are places that offer products from various franchises, there are also other independent ones whose beer is of excellent quality and with its own flavors. An unforgettable experience.

29. Hot apple juice

This typical English drink is made by letting apples ferment for several different times and occasions.

It is a drink that is enjoyed in the winter season and consumed hot.

30. Coffee

Coffee is achieving a prominent place in the taste of the English. Currently, many houses drink coffee and it is common for it to be served in restaurants and food places.

You can savor an espresso or drink it with milk. It is also possible to enjoy a cappuccino with milk foam, cream or some syrup, or maybe you prefer a mocha.

typical food of England recipe

One of the typical foods of England that is most liked and is very popular is fish and chips and now we will see the recipe.

The necessary ingredients are white fish fillets, wheat flour, beer, yeast or baking powder, potatoes, oil, salt, vinegar.

The very cold beer is poured into a bowl. On the other hand, the flour and baking powder or yeast are mixed and after sifting they are added to the beer, beating to form a homogeneous mixture.

The fish fillets are dried well and sprinkled with a little salt and pepper, then passed through a little wheat flour.

Heat plenty of oil and when it is hot, take the pieces of floured fish and dip them in the prepared mixture, then place them in the hot oil and fry them on both sides until golden brown.

The potatoes are peeled and cut, putting a little salt on them; heat plenty of oil and fry them; When they are ready, sprinkle them with a little more salt and moisten them with a little vinegar.

Serve the fish fillets accompanied by the French fries.

Typical English desserts

In Great Britain there is a wide variety of desserts, among others:

battenberg cake

sticky toffee pudding
Strawberries and cream
rice pudding

Typical British drinks

Among the main typical drinks of England we have:

Tea
Draft beer

Barley water
hot apple juice
Coffee

history of english food

Traditional English food dates back to the first settlers, with its own characteristics that have been adapted to modern times and to the influences it has received from other cultures such as India, Asia and other parts of the world.

At the beginning they were mostly simple proposals, with a lot of use of natural products; Among the most consumed products, potatoes occupied and continue to occupy a prominent place.

In its origins they had elements such as bread, cheeses, roasted or stewed meat, vegetables, broths, fish from the sea and rivers.

Today it continues to be a simple, attractive meal enjoyed by many people, in addition to the purely English population.

The country, traditionally known for the monarchy, has much more to offer us and how to delight us. Through its flavors, it is another way to fall in love with the sobriety of England. Do you dare with these typical foods of England? Tell us about your experience in the comments section.