Embark on a culinary journey through Britain with our collection of 10 full English breakfast recipes. From classic combinations to regional variations, explore the best full English breakfast recipes and discover the secrets to creating this beloved British breakfast staple. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a breakfast enthusiast, these full English breakfast ideas will inspire you to create a truly authentic and satisfying morning meal. Discover the ultimate full English breakfast experience with our carefully curated selection of recipes.
The Ultimate Full English Breakfast
This recipe provides a simple guide to creating a classic Full English Breakfast. It focuses on speed and convenience, making it perfect for a quick and satisfying weekend brunch.
Ingredients
- 1 Sausage
- 1 Bacon
- 1 Egg
- 1 serving Mushrooms
- 1 Hash brown
- 1 slice Bread
- 1 serving Baked beans
Instructions
- Preheat your oven. Place the sausage in the oven for 5 minutes. Then, add the bacon and hash brown and cook for a further 20 minutes.
- While the oven items are cooking, fry the mushrooms in a pan over medium heat.
- Fry the egg to your preference in the same pan.
- Toast the bread.
- Heat the baked beans in the microwave according to package instructions.
Once everything is cooked, arrange on a plate and enjoy your Full English Breakfast!
The Ultimate Full English Breakfast
This recipe provides a step-by-step guide to creating a delicious and classic Full English Breakfast for four people. It focuses on quality ingredients and simple cooking techniques to achieve perfectly cooked bacon, poached eggs, roasted mushrooms and tomatoes, and crisp rye toast.
Ingredients
- 4 portebello mushrooms
- 300 grams on-the-vine cherry tomatoes
- 16 rashers of bacon
- 8 eggs
- 8 slices rye bread, toasted
- 1 dash of white wine vinegar
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
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Prepare the Grill and Produce: Preheat your grill to its highest setting. Half-fill a wide, shallow pan with water and bring it to a simmer for poaching the eggs. Line a large baking sheet with foil and brush it with olive oil.
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Roast the Mushrooms, Tomatoes, and Bacon: Remove the stalks from the mushrooms and place them cap-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Arrange the cherry tomatoes alongside the mushrooms. Drizzle everything with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Place the bacon rashers on the same tray. Grill for approximately 5 minutes, or until the mushrooms are tender and the bacon is golden brown and crispy.
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Poach the Eggs: Crack each egg individually into a cup or ramekin. Add a dash of white wine vinegar to the simmering water. Create a gentle whirlpool in the water by whisking in a circular motion. Gently slide the eggs, one at a time, into the center of the whirlpool. Reduce the heat to a low simmer and poach for 1.5 minutes if the eggs were at room temperature, or 2 minutes if they were refrigerated.
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Assemble and Serve: Carefully remove each poached egg with a slotted spoon, dabbing the bottom of the spoon with kitchen paper to remove excess water. Place each egg on a slice of toasted rye bread. Serve the Full English breakfast immediately while everything is hot and fresh.
The Ultimate Full English Omelette
This recipe elevates the classic full English breakfast into a delicious and convenient omelette. Packed with savory ingredients like bacon, sausages, and lentils, this hearty meal is perfect for breakfast, lunch, or even dinner.
Ingredients
Omelette Base
- 6 large eggs
- 1 dash of milk
- 1 dash of salt and pepper
Filling
- 1 dozen sundried tomatoes (chopped)
- 100 grams Puy Lentils
- 1 cup Sweetcorn
- 6 slices Facon/bacon (fried)
- 4 tbsp Jalepeño salsa
- 1/4 cup Chopped artichoke hearts
- 1 cup Grated cheese/mozzarella
- 2 sausages (cooked and chopped)
Instructions
- Prepare the Omelette Base: Break the eggs into a bowl and lightly whisk with milk, salt, and pepper.
- Cook the Meats: Fry the sausages and bacon until cooked through. Chop into smaller pieces.
- Combine Filling Ingredients: In a bowl, combine the sundried tomatoes, lentils, sweetcorn, jalapeno salsa, artichoke hearts, and cheese. Add the cooked and chopped sausages and bacon.
- Cook the Omelette: Pour the egg mixture into a frying pan. Once the omelette is semi-solid, add the filling mixture to one half.
- Fold and Finish: Allow the filling to heat through for a few minutes. Then, carefully flip the unfilled half of the omelette over the filling.
- Serve: Ensure the filling is heated through. Transfer the omelette to a plate and enjoy for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
The Ultimate English Breakfast Roll
This recipe provides a step-by-step guide to creating a classic English breakfast roll, perfect for a hearty and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 1 loaf French stick/baguette
- 2 medium sausages
- 2 medium eggs
- 4 slices bacon
- 2 tbsp brown sauce
- 1 small onion
Instructions
Prepare the Filling: Finely chop the onion. Heat a frying pan (adding a touch of oil if desired). Cook the sausages until they begin to brown. Add the chopped onion to the pan and continue cooking. Once the sausages have browned further, add the bacon to the pan.
Assemble the Roll: Cut the French stick in half lengthwise, but not all the way through, creating a hinge. As the bacon nears completion, add the eggs to the pan, aiming to keep them roughly the width of the bread. Once the eggs are cooked, cut the sausages lengthwise. Layer the ingredients into the bread: sausages, a sprinkle of onion, bacon, more onion, eggs, brown sauce, and the remaining onion. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Hearty Vegetarian Full English
Enjoy a satisfying and flavorful meat-free take on the classic Full English breakfast. This recipe is packed with protein and nutrients, making it a perfect way to start your day.
Ingredients
- 200g Firm Tofu
- 200g Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce (canned or homemade)
- 250g White Mushrooms
- 2 Eggs
- 6 Cherry Tomatoes
- 2 Handfuls Baby Spinach
- 2 Slices Toasted Bread
- 1 Tbsp Marmite (optional)
- 1 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Sunflower Oil
- Salt and Pepper
- Chives (or similar herb) for garnish
Instructions
Prepare the ingredients: Press the tofu lightly to remove excess water and marinate it in 1 tbsp of soy sauce. Quarter the mushrooms and halve the cherry tomatoes.
Cook the eggs and tomatoes: Fry the eggs to your preference. Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the pan and cook until they soften and char slightly, releasing their juices. Season with salt and pepper.
Pan-fry the tofu: Add the marinated tofu to the pan and fry in sunflower oil until golden brown and slightly crispy.
Sauté the mushrooms: Add the quartered mushrooms to the pan. Season with salt, pepper, and balsamic vinegar. Add a splash of water to help them cook faster. Cook until softened and slightly caramelized.
Assemble your breakfast: Heat the baked beans. Place the baby spinach on two plates. Arrange the cooked tofu, eggs, tomatoes, and mushrooms on top of the spinach. Serve alongside the warmed baked beans and toasted bread. Spread Marmite on the toast, if desired. Garnish with fresh chives.
This recipe serves two. Enjoy your delicious and hearty vegetarian Full English Breakfast!
The Ultimate Brinner: A Full English Breakfast for Dinner
This recipe guides you through creating a delicious and satisfying Full English Breakfast, perfect for any time of day, but especially enjoyable as a “brinner” (breakfast for dinner).
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 2 pieces bacon
- 2 slices bread
- 2 sausages
- 4 baby tomatoes
- Baked beans
- 2-4 slices Halloumi (Optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Sausages
Begin with the sausages, as they typically require the longest cooking time. Fry them in a medium-hot pan for 15-20 minutes. Grilling or oven baking are also excellent options; refer to the sausage packaging for recommended cooking times.
Step 2: Bacon
While the sausages are cooking, prepare the bacon. Place the bacon slices on a parchment-lined baking tray and bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for approximately 15 minutes, or until crispy.
Step 3: Halloumi, Tomatoes, and Bread
In a separate pan, fry the halloumi (if using) until golden and crispy. Set aside on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. In the same pan, add a little oil and cook the tomatoes. Finally, toast thick slices of crusty bread in the same pan, turning regularly until they reach desired crispness.
Step 4: Eggs
Once the bread and tomatoes are done, fry the eggs to your liking in the same pan.
Step 5: Assemble and Enjoy!
Arrange the cooked sausages, bacon, bread, tomatoes, and halloumi (if using) on a plate. Place the fried eggs on top and add a generous serving of baked beans. Your brinner is ready to be devoured!
The Ultimate Full English Breakfast
This recipe provides a classic and satisfying full English breakfast, perfect for a weekend brunch or a hearty start to any day. It covers all the essential components, ensuring a delicious and complete meal.
Ingredients
- 4 sausages
- 4 large eggs
- 4 slices bacon
- 100g mushrooms
- 2 large tomatoes
- 1 tin baked beans
- 2 slices bread for toasting
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan: Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium heat.
- Cook the Meats: Fry the sausages until golden brown and cooked through. Simultaneously, cook the bacon slices until crispy.
- Keep Warm: Transfer the cooked sausages and bacon to an oven-safe dish and place in a warm oven (around 100°C or 200°F) to keep warm while you prepare the remaining ingredients.
- Cook the Remaining Items: In the same frying pan, fry the eggs to your preference (sunny-side up, over easy, etc.). Add the sliced tomatoes and mushrooms to the pan and cook until softened.
- Toast the Bread: While the other ingredients are cooking, toast the bread slices.
- Assemble and Serve: Place the toasted bread on a plate. Add the warm sausages, bacon, eggs, tomatoes, and mushrooms. Open the tin of baked beans and serve alongside the other components. Enjoy your full English breakfast warm with a cup of tea or coffee.
Classic English Breakfast
This recipe provides a simple guide to creating a delicious and satisfying English breakfast.
Ingredients
- 2 Potatoes
- 1/2 cup French Beans
- 1/2 cup Carrot
- 4 slices Bread
- 1 Avocado
- Salt (to taste)
- 1/2 tbsp Pepper
- 1/2 tbsp Italian Seasoning
- Butter (as required)
Instructions
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Sauté the potatoes: In a pan, melt some butter and sauté the potatoes for 3-4 minutes.
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Season the potatoes: Add salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Sauté for another 2-3 minutes, then set aside.
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Boil the vegetables: Boil the French beans and carrots until tender.
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Sauté the vegetables: Melt butter in the pan and sauté the boiled vegetables for 1-2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
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Toast the bread and avocado: Toast the bread slices. Spread mashed avocado on the toast.
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Assemble and enjoy: Your breakfast is ready! Arrange the potatoes, vegetables, and avocado toast on a plate. Enjoy!
The Classic English Breakfast
This recipe guides you through preparing a delicious and satisfying traditional English breakfast. It includes pancakes, a fried omelette, fresh fruit, tomatoes, and optional sausages, all complemented by a cup of flavoured black tea.
Ingredients
- Pancake ingredients: (Your preferred pancake recipe)
- Omelette ingredients: Eggs, milk/cream (optional), salt, pepper, and any desired fillings (cheese, vegetables, etc.)
- Fruit: Your choice of fresh fruits (e.g., berries, banana, melon)
- Tomato: 1-2 ripe tomatoes, sliced
- Sausage: (Optional) Your preferred type of breakfast sausage
- Black tea: Tea bags or loose leaf tea, milk and sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pancakes: Make pancakes according to your chosen recipe.
- Cook the Omelette: Whisk eggs with milk/cream (if using), salt, and pepper. Fry in a pan until cooked through, adding desired fillings towards the end.
- Prepare the Accompaniments: Slice the tomatoes. Cook the sausages, if using, according to package directions.
- Assemble the Breakfast: Arrange the pancakes, omelette, fruit, tomato slices, and sausages (if any) on a plate.
- Brew the Tea: Prepare a cup of flavoured black tea to your liking.
Enjoy your complete English breakfast!
The Classic English Breakfast: A Step-by-Step Guide
This recipe guides you through creating a delicious and authentic English breakfast, complete with all the essential components. From perfectly fried eggs and crispy bacon to savory baked beans and fried bread, this guide covers every step in detail.
Ingredients
Baked Beans:
- 1 cup Haricot Beans
- 1 Tbsp tomato purée
- 1 Tbsp tomato ketchup
- 1 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp black pepper powder
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch mixed with 1 Tbsp water
- Salt to taste
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 cup chicken stock
Fried Eggs:
- 2 fresh eggs
- 1 Tbsp oil
Pork Sausage:
- 2-3 pork sausages
Bacon:
- 2 strips Pork loin (can substitute with back bacon)
Mushrooms:
- 1/2 cup button mushrooms
- 1 tsp oil
Tomatoes:
- 2 tomatoes, halved
- 1 tsp oil
Fried Bread:
- 2 slices Sourdough bread
- 1 Tbsp oil
Instructions
Baked Beans:
- Soak the Haricot beans overnight. The next day, wash and boil them in hot water over medium heat until tender. Drain and set aside.
- In a pan, combine chicken stock, tomato purée, tomato ketchup, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, black pepper powder, onion powder, and salt. Add the boiled beans and water. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Simmer for 20 minutes. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and set aside.
Bacon and Sausage:
- Fry the bacon strips in a pan over medium heat until crisp. Remove the bacon and set aside.
- Fry the sausages in the bacon fat until cooked through.
Mushrooms:
- Heat oil in a pan and fry the mushrooms until tender and slightly browned.
Tomatoes:
- Heat oil in a pan and fry the halved tomatoes on each side until softened and slightly caramelized.
Fried Eggs:
- Heat oil in a pan. Gently crack the eggs into the pan and cook over low heat until the whites are set and the yolks are cooked to your preference.
Fried Bread:
- Fry the sourdough bread slices in oil until golden brown and crispy.
Assemble Your English Breakfast:
- Arrange the bacon, sausages, fried tomatoes, mushrooms, fried eggs, and fried bread on a plate. Serve the baked beans on the side. For a truly authentic experience, enjoy with a cup of Earl Grey tea.
History of the Full English Breakfast
The Full English, a beloved British institution, has a history richer than its buttery toast. Its roots can be traced back to the Victorian era, where a hearty breakfast was seen as a symbol of prosperity and a way to fuel a day of hard work. Wealthy Victorian households embraced elaborate meals to showcase their status, often including a variety of dishes like eggs, bacon, and kippers.
However, the Full English’s origins can be found even earlier, in the 13th century English gentry’s ideal of hospitality and a substantial morning meal. This ideal, combined with the Romantic era’s focus on hearty, country-style breakfasts, laid the foundation for the modern Full English. These early versions often included game meats and local produce, reflecting the regional variations that persist to this day.
During the industrial revolution, the Full English began to evolve into a more standardized meal, particularly in working-class households. This was due to both the increased availability of ingredients and the need for a filling breakfast to sustain long working hours. The focus shifted towards more affordable ingredients like bacon, sausages, and fried bread.
The post-war era further solidified the Full English as a national dish. The rise of cafes and B&Bs made this substantial breakfast readily available to the masses, contributing to its popularization across the country. Today, while regional variations still exist, the core components of the Full English remain largely consistent, offering a comforting and energizing start to the day.
Nutritional Content and Benefits of a Full English Breakfast
A full English breakfast, while undeniably delicious, packs a substantial nutritional punch. It’s a significant source of protein, coming from the eggs, bacon, and sausages. This protein helps with satiety, keeping you feeling full and energized throughout the morning. It also contributes to muscle maintenance and growth.
Furthermore, a full English provides essential vitamins and minerals. Eggs are rich in choline, important for brain health, and vitamin D, crucial for bone health. The tomatoes contribute vitamin C and antioxidants, while mushrooms offer B vitamins and potassium. Even the black pudding, though often overlooked, is a good source of iron.
The inclusion of toast or fried bread provides carbohydrates, a primary source of energy. However, be mindful of portion sizes as excessive carbohydrate intake can lead to energy spikes and crashes. Choosing whole-wheat toast over white bread offers added fiber, which aids digestion and promotes gut health.
While a full English offers numerous nutritional benefits, it’s also calorie-dense and can be high in saturated fat. Enjoying it in moderation as part of a balanced diet is key. Consider grilling or baking components rather than frying to reduce fat content. You can also customize your plate by adding more fruits and vegetables, such as grilled tomatoes, spinach, or mushrooms.
Ultimately, a full English breakfast can be a nutritious and satisfying meal when enjoyed thoughtfully. By focusing on portion control and making healthier choices where possible, you can reap its benefits without compromising your overall dietary goals.
Tips for Choosing Quality Sausages
Sausages are a cornerstone of a truly great Full English. Choosing the right ones can elevate your breakfast from good to exceptional. Look for sausages with a high meat content, ideally around 85% or higher. This ensures a richer flavor and better texture.
Check the ingredients list. Fewer ingredients often indicate a higher quality product. Avoid sausages with excessive fillers or artificial additives.
Consider the casing. Natural casings offer a satisfying “snap” when bitten into and allow the sausage to cook more evenly. Artificial casings can sometimes be tough or chewy.
Look for visual cues. Good quality sausages typically have a good color and even texture. Avoid sausages that appear pale or overly processed.
Finally, don’t be afraid to experiment. There’s a vast world of sausage flavors out there, from traditional pork to more adventurous blends. Try different varieties to find your perfect Full English sausage.