
English Breakfast
English Breakfast is a classic British breakfast that holds a distinguished place in traditional cooking. Celebrated for its wholesome ingredients and time-honored preparation, this dish brings authentic regional character to the home kitchen.
Carefully prepared featuring Sausages, Bacon, Mushrooms, Tomatoes, Black Pudding, Eggs and Bread, the ingredients are simmered and seasoned to achieve a satisfying depth of flavor. True to traditional British cooking, the dish focuses on satisfying, traditional, and highlighting slow-simmered savory gravies.
In authentic British tradition, English Breakfast is best presented with creamy mashed potatoes and steamed greens.
If you enjoy authentic British cooking, be sure to also explore our recipe for Full English Breakfast.
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Ingredients
- Sausages2
- Bacon3
- Mushrooms2
- Tomatoes2
- Black Pudding1 Slice
- Eggs2
- Bread1 Slice
Step-by-Step Instructions
29 stepsInteractive Cook Mode: Click any step or circle to check it off as you cook.
Heat the flat grill plate over a low heat, on top of 2 rings/flames if it fits, and brush sparingly with light olive oil.
Cook the sausages first.
Add the sausages to the hot grill plate/the coolest part if there is one and allow to cook slowly for about 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden.
After the first 10 minutes, increase the heat to medium before beginning to cook the other ingredients.
If you are struggling for space, completely cook the sausages and keep hot on a plate in the oven.
Snip a few small cuts into the fatty edge of the bacon.
Place the bacon straight on to the grill plate and fry for 2-4 minutes each side or until your preferred crispiness is reached.
Like the sausages, the cooked bacon can be kept hot on a plate in the oven.
For the mushrooms, brush away any dirt using a pastry brush and trim the stalk level with the mushroom top.
Season with salt and pepper and drizzle over a little olive oil.
Place stalk-side up on the grill plate and cook for 1-2 minutes before turning and cooking for a further 3-4 minutes.
Avoid moving the mushrooms too much while cooking, as this releases the natural juices, making them soggy.
For the tomatoes, cut the tomatoes across the centre/or in half lengthways if using plum tomatoes , and with a small, sharp knife remove the green 'eye'.
Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with a little olive oil.
Place cut-side down on the grill plate and cook without moving for 2 minutes.
Gently turn over and season again.
Cook for a further 2-3 minutes until tender but still holding their shape.
For the black pudding, cut the black pudding into 3-4 slices and remove the skin.
Place on the grill plate and cook for 1½-2 minutes each side until slightly crispy.
For 'proper' fried bread it's best to cook it in a separate pan.
Ideally, use bread that is a couple of days old.
Heat a frying pan to a medium heat and cover the base with oil.
Add the bread and cook for 2-3 minutes each side until crispy and golden.
If the pan becomes too dry, add a little more oil.
For a richer flavour, add a knob of butter after you turn the slice.
For the fried eggs, break the egg straight into the pan with the fried bread and leave for 30 seconds.
Add a good knob of butter and lightly splash/baste the egg with the butter when melted.
Cook to your preferred stage, season and gently remove with a fish slice.
Once all the ingredients are cooked, serve on warm plates and enjoy straight away with a good squeeze of tomato ketchup or brown sauce.
👨🍳 Chef's Culinary Notes
Cultural Heritage
English Breakfast reflects the timeless heritage of traditional British home cooking, satisfying, traditional, and highlighting slow-simmered savory gravies. Prepared for generations for family gatherings and celebrations, it represents the heart of regional culinary identity.
Dietary Substitutions
To substitute whole eggs in baking, unsweetened applesauce, mashed banana, or a commercial egg replacer can work smoothly depending on whether the recipe is sweet or savory.
Chef Technique Tips
Resist the urge to open the oven door during the first two-thirds of the baking cycle. Opening the door vents trapped heat and steam, which can cause delicate baked goods to deflate or lose their rise.
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