Hidden Treasures: 10 British Foods Worth Discovering

British food is key to many unique flavours, combinations, and irresistible textures. It’s typically quite hearty, with an emphasis on savory. British foods are diverse, different, and typically prepared with traditional cooking methods. However, some fantastic British foods are hiding in plain sight that we bet you haven’t given a second thought to. Today we’re sharing 10 amazing British foods that are worth trying and even learning how to prepare yourself. So get ready to indulge your senses because we’re uncovering 10 British foods worth discovering.

1. Pork Pies

Pork pies are a beloved British dish. They’re made with common ingredients like pork, pastry, eggs, gelatin, herbs, spices, and breadcrumbs and typically come together in a couple of hours. Pork pies can be enjoyed alongside side dishes like mashed potatoes, pickled onions, or a simple side salad for a full, nutritious, and filling meal. To make sure that your pork pie is a delicious experience, make sure to use quality ingredients, explore seasonings and herbs, choose a pastry crust that is buttery and flaky, and allow it to cool before slicing. 

If you want to add a delicious flair to your pork pies, try these:

• Make the meat filling with pork and apples for a sweet and juicy twist!
• Indulge in cheese with a fantastic pork and cheese filling.
• Swap the meat for lentils and/or mushrooms for a vegetarian take on the traditional British dish.

2. Fish and Chips

A prominent meal in British cuisine culture is fish and chips. Battered and fried cod fillets are placed atop a hill of hot chips. (French fries.) The iconic duo has been satisfying Brits for centuries and emerged as an affordable and delicious meal during the Industrial Revolution (between 1760 and 1840).  It’s dubbed for many as comfort food, as the texture of the crisp and crunchy fish pairs beautifully with the soft, hot chips. 

What to serve alongside fish and chips?

• Rag pudding.
• Mushy peas and mint sauce.
• Scraps.
• Battered haggis.

3. Bangers and Mash

Bangers and mash is a traditional British food that is a menu staple in pubs all over the United Kingdom. It’s made with sausages and mashed potatoes, typically served with an onion gravy. Making bangers and mash at home is easier than you might think. All that is required is sausage, potatoes, butter, milk, seasonings, onions, broth, and wine. A couple of ways to change up the traditional taste of bangers and mash are to add cheese to the potatoes, serve with a dollop of your favourite mustard, swap out the sausages for a vegetarian option, or swap the mashed potato for a mashed sweet potato. 

4. Black Pudding

Black pudding is not what it sounds like. It’s in fact sausage. It’s a type of blood sausage that is traditionally made from pork or beef blood with pork fat or beef suet with oatmeal and spices. It’s typically eaten as a breakfast food. Black pudding is loved for many reasons. It has a satisfying, unique flavour; it’s versatile in how it can be prepared and enjoyed, as well as packed with protein and iron. 

What to serve with black pudding:

• Scrambled eggs.
• Eggs, bacon, and toast.
• Make black pudding sandwiches alongside a garden salad.

5. Eton Mess Parfait

Eton Mess parfait is a classic British dessert that is well worth your time trying. It has an airy, light texture with an irresistible flavor. It’s super simple and looks elegant when it’s done being put together. It’s made of whipped cream, meringue cookies, and strawberries layered. If you want to spice it up a bit, swap the strawberries for another kind of berry, like raspberries or blueberries. You can also add a pinch of cinnamon for a comforting spicy kick and crushed nuts for a more complex texture.

6. Beef Wellington

Beef Wellington was once a fancy dish in the mid-1900s. It’s a simple way of preparing beef tenderloin to become a beautiful and elegant meal. First, the beef is covered in mushroom duxelles, then the beef is covered with ham, such as prosciutto, and then wrapped in a pastry puff and cooked. The result is unmatched and guaranteed to have everyone at your table requesting the recipe!

Beef Wellington side dishes:

• Steamed vegetables.
• Roasted potatoes.
• Yorkshire pudding.

7. Cornish Pasty

Cornish pastries were a staple for the poorer classes in the 18th century. You didn’t require much to make them, and they were filling and tasty. A cornish pasty is a small pie with a fantastic mixture of meat and vegetables wrapped inside a buttery pastry crust. 

8. Marmite

Marmite is an iconic spread that doesn’t get enough credit for its taste or its versatility. It’s a sticky brown paste with a yeasty flavor. It can be used in cooking, but it’s most commonly used to spread on toast, crackers, and sandwiches.

9. Toad in the Hole

Toad in the hole is made of roasted sausages covered in crispy Yorkshire pudding drizzled with irresistible onion gravy. The sausages lay in a baking dish, and the batter is then poured over. It’s a popular comfort dish and can be a main meal or served alongside a breakfast spread.

Side dishes to serve with toad in the hole:

• Roasted vegetables.
• Roasted potatoes.
• Sauteed mushrooms.

10. Haggis

Haggis is a traditional British dish made from sheep’s heart, liver, and lungs with oatmeal, spices, and suet and then cooked traditionally in the sheep’s stomach. It is a textural delight with an earthy taste. It’s very meaty, filling, and can be served with a variety of dishes. For example, mashed potatoes and turnips, roasted vegetables, and sausages.

Final Thoughts

British cuisine is diverse and filled with many textures and tastes. Many British dishes have a bad reputation as being bland or tasting bad, but these 10 dishes are worth trying. From cozy and comforting pork pies to sweet and delicious Eton Mess parfaits and, of course, the iconic Marmite spread, these dishes are winners every time. So the next time you’re feeling adventurous in the kitchen, try out one of these British foods!