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Thali

🇬🇧 The food of the United Kingdom

66 dishes from the United Kingdom, best known first, across 16 cities and regions.

British cooking brings together ancient Celtic roots, Roman imports, and centuries of influence from Europe, its former colonies, and global trade. Its food is known for roasts, pies, and puddings, but also adapts dishes and spices from many cultures, reflecting a long history of migration and exchange.

  • Roast dinners and full breakfasts are iconic British meals.
  • Pies, both savoury and sweet, are central to British cooking.
  • British cuisine includes a wide variety of cheeses, beers, and ciders.
  • Trifle and scones are traditional desserts still enjoyed today.
  • Immigration has led to the creation of new curries and spiced dishes.

The cooking of the United Kingdom

The food of the United Kingdom blends native traditions with a long history of outside influence. Early Celtic and Roman settlers introduced grains, cheese, cider, and a wide range of fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Later, Anglo-Saxons and Vikings brought new techniques for curing meats and fish, while the Normans added French words and continental styles. Over time, British food absorbed ingredients and dishes from across the world, especially through trade and immigration from India, the Caribbean, China, and beyond. Classic British meals often feature roasted meats, pies, and both sweet and savoury baked goods. The cuisine is also known for its cheeses, beers, and ciders, and has a tradition of both simple home cooking and elaborate feasts.

Staple foods in the United Kingdom

Bread, often made from wheat, rye, or oats, has long been a mainstay, with its type reflecting social class. Potatoes, introduced from the Americas, became a key food. Meat, especially beef, lamb, and pork, is central, along with fish and shellfish. Butter, cheese, and eggs are widely used. Vegetables like carrots, turnips, and cabbages are common, as are apples and other fruits. Pies, both savoury and sweet, are a hallmark.

Breakfast in the United Kingdom 10 dishes

A traditional British breakfast is hearty and filling, often including eggs, bacon, sausages, baked beans, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, and toast. This 'full breakfast' is a well-known feature, though daily breakfasts may be simpler.

Sweets and drinks in the United Kingdom

British sweets include trifle, a layered dessert with cream and fruit, sticky toffee pudding, apple pie, scones, and Victoria sponge cake. Tea is a popular drink, as are beers and ciders. Cheese varieties are numerous and widely enjoyed.

From region to region in the United Kingdom

Each part of the UK has its own food traditions. England is known for roast dinners and pies. Scotland has its own baking, such as shortbread and scones, and is the home of Scotch whisky. Wales and Northern Ireland also have distinct dishes, shaped by local produce and customs. Coastal areas often feature more seafood, while regional cheeses and breads vary widely.

Where this page comes from

The facts in this overview come from the Wikipedia article "British cuisine", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence. Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

Cities and regions of the United Kingdom

Cornwall 3London 3Devon 2Bury 1Cambridge 1Carmarthenshire 1Glasgow 1Midlands 1Mossley 1North Devon 1Pembrokeshire 1Southall 1Stornoway 1Swansea 1Wales 1Yorkshire 1
MealBreakfastLunchTea timeDinnerSupperSnacks
KindMain dishStreet foodSoupStew or curryRice dishNoodle or pasta dishDumplingBreadGrill or roastSandwich or wrapPie or savoury pastrySalad or sideCheese or dairy foodSausage or cured foodSauce, pickle or fermentSweet or dessertDrink
DietVegetarianVeganFish and seafoodMeat
TeaVegan茶 🇨🇳 China and 5 moreA drink made by soaking tea leaves in hot or cold water Drink Pizza 🇮🇹 Italy and 4 moreFlatbread topped with tomato, cheese and baked at high heat Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Ice cream 🇺🇸 United States and 5 moreA frozen dessert made from sweetened, flavoured milk or cream Sweet or dessert, Snacks French friesVeganpommes frites 🇫🇷 France and 5 moreDeep-fried strips of potato, served hot and salted Street food, Lunch, Dinner Candy 🇺🇸 United States and 5 moreSmall sweet treats made mainly from sugar or sweeteners Sweet or dessert, Snacks Chutney 🇮🇳 India and 5 moreA spiced relish or sauce made from fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices Sauce, pickle or ferment French toast 🇫🇷 France and 5 moreBread soaked in egg and milk, pan-fried and served sweet or savoury Main dish, Breakfast, Snacks Pancake 🇺🇸 United States and 5 moreFlat cakes made from batter, cooked on a griddle or pan and served sweet or savoury Main dish, Breakfast, Snacks Mojito 🇨🇺 Cuba and 5 moreCuban cocktail of white rum, lime, mint, sugar and soda water over ice Drink Fish and chipsFish or seafood 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 8 moreBattered fried fish served hot with thick-cut chips Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Pie 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 5 moreA baked dish with a pastry crust and sweet or savoury filling Main dish, Lunch, Dinner GuinnessVegan 🇮🇪 Ireland and 5 moreA dark Irish stout with a creamy head and dry, roasted flavour Drink Cream teaVegetarian 🇬🇧 United KingdomAfternoon tea with scones, clotted cream and strawberry jam Sweet or dessert, Tea time LaverbreadVegan 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 1 moreA soft, dark green seaweed paste from Wales, often served at breakfast Main dish, Breakfast Aloo tikkiVegetarian 🇮🇳 India and 3 morePotato cutlets spiced and fried, served hot with chutneys Street food, Snacks Thanksgiving dinnerMeat 🇺🇸 United States and 2 moreA holiday meal centered on roast turkey with a variety of side dishes and desserts Main dish, Dinner Chocolate brownieVegetarianBrownie 🇺🇸 United States and 2 moreDense chocolate squares baked as a bar, often served warm or with toppings Sweet or dessert, Snacks, Tea time Mulled wineGlühwein 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 5 moreRed wine heated with spices and fruit, served hot at Christmas and winter gatherings Drink, Tea time, Dinner Apple pieVegetarian 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 5 moreA baked pie with apple filling and pastry crust, served hot or cold Sweet or dessert, Snacks Peking duckMeat北京烤鸭 🇨🇳 China and 4 moreCrisp-skinned roast duck from Beijing, carved and served with pancakes and condiments Main dish, Dinner, Lunch Punchपंच 🇮🇳 India and 5 moreA party drink of fruit juice, sweetener, and sometimes alcohol, served in a large bowl Drink, Snacks Crème brûléeVegetarian 🇫🇷 France and 2 moreRich vanilla custard with a brittle caramelized sugar top Sweet or dessert Pickled cucumberVegan 🇺🇸 United States and 5 moreCucumbers preserved in brine or vinegar, enjoyed worldwide in many styles Sauce, pickle or ferment, Lunch, Dinner Whipped cream 🇫🇷 France and 2 moreLight, sweetened cream whipped to a fluffy foam for desserts and drinks Sweet or dessert, Snacks Scotch whiskyVeganuisge-beatha na h-Alba 🇬🇧 United KingdomWhisky distilled and aged in Scotland for at least three years in oak casks Drink Chicken tikka masalaMeat 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 4 moreRoasted marinated chicken in a creamy, spiced tomato-based sauce Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Haggistaigeis 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 4 moreA savoury pudding of sheep offal, oats and spices, boiled in a casing Main dish, Dinner Sponge cakeVegetarian 🇮🇹 Italy and 5 moreA light, airy cake made with eggs, flour and sugar, often served plain or with fillings Sweet or dessert, Tea time Eggnog 🇺🇸 United States and 5 moreA creamy, sweet drink of milk, eggs, sugar and spirits, served at Christmas Drink, Snacks VindalooMeat 🇮🇳 India and 2 moreA spicy curry of meat, vinegar and chili from Goa, now found worldwide Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Christmas pudding 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 4 moreSteamed or boiled sweet pudding with dried fruit, served at Christmas dinner Sweet or dessert, Dinner Korma 🇮🇳 India and 4 moreA rich curry of meat or vegetables simmered in yogurt and spices Stew or curry, Lunch, Dinner Scone 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 5 moreA quick bread, sweet or savoury, served with tea in Britain and beyond Bread, Tea time, Breakfast Stuffing 🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreA seasoned mixture used to fill meat, poultry, seafood, or vegetables before cooking Main dish, Dinner FudgeVegetarian 🇺🇸 United States and 2 moreSoft, creamy confection made from sugar, butter and milk Sweet or dessert, Snacks Macaroni and cheeseVegetarian 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 2 moreBaked or stovetop pasta in a creamy cheese sauce, often with cheddar Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Neapolitan pizzaVegetarianpizza napoletana 🇮🇹 Italy and 1 moreSoft, thin pizza with high edges from Naples, baked quickly in a wood-fired oven Main dish Corned beefMeat 🇮🇪 Ireland and 5 moreSalt-cured beef, often pink, eaten fresh or canned in many countries Main dish, Breakfast, Lunch Baked potato 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 4 moreWhole potato baked and topped with butter, cheese, beans or other fillings Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Yorkshire puddingVegetarian 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 1 moreA baked British pudding made from a simple batter, often served with roast meats Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Scotch eggMeat 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 2 moreEgg wrapped in sausage, coated in crumbs and fried or baked Street food, Snacks, Lunch Egg tartVegetarian蛋撻 🇨🇳 China and 5 moreA small pastry tart with a sweet egg custard filling, found in Cantonese cuisine Pie or savoury pastry, Snacks, Tea time Shepherd's pieMeatcottage pie 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 5 moreBaked dish of minced meat under a layer of mashed potato Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Battenberg cakeVegetarian 🇬🇧 United KingdomChequered pink and yellow sponge cake wrapped in marzipan Sweet or dessert, Tea time, Snacks BLTMeat 🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreA sandwich filled with bacon, lettuce, and tomato, often with mayonnaise Sandwich or wrap, Lunch, Snacks Clotted creamVegetariandehen molys 🇬🇧 United KingdomA thick, rich cream formed by gently heating and cooling cow’s milk Sauce, pickle or ferment, Tea time, Snacks Deviled eggsVegetarian 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 5 moreHard-boiled eggs filled with a seasoned yolk mixture, served cold Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Welsh rarebitVegetarian 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 1 moreToasted bread topped with a hot, savoury cheese sauce Main dish, Lunch, Dinner
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