I’ll just say it: it’s tough to nail down what makes an appetizer “British”. The UK is such a mix of cuisines!
One minute you’re at a party with sausage rolls and samosas, the next you’re in a pub with soup or a prawn cocktail. It’s all delicious, though!
That’s why I put together this list of my personal go-tos. We’ve got snacks for your next get-together and starters to kick off a fantastic dinner.
1. Easy Homemade Sausage Rolls
Sausage rolls are, like, one of the most beloved snacks in the entire UK. Seriously, you can find them just about anywhere, and it’s almost impossible to stroll down the high street and not spot someone devouring one fresh from the oven.
Of course, you can also find them as minis in the freezer section of every single supermarket. Just pop them in the oven and you have a knockout British appetizer in just a few minutes.
Puff pastry is an absolute must, but you can totally buy it from the store to make your life easier. Here’s where things get interesting, though: there’s a bit of a debate about the best sausage meat for these.
Some people will tell you that Cumberland sausage meat is the only way to go because it’s “meatier,” since it’s chopped rather than minced. But if you want your sausage rolls to be truly authentic, you’ll have to use pure pork sausages.
2. The London Particular Yellow Split Pea Soup
Split pea soup is a thick, almost porridge-like dish that’s usually served with some shaved ham for a kick of salty goodness. It’s also made with a ham hock right in the pot, so the whole thing gets this amazing smoky, meaty flavor.
You’ve probably seen it made with green split peas, which leaves the final dish looking a little bit of a green-grey color. I definitely think I prefer this sunny version, don’t you?
Other than the ham hocks (which aren’t super pricey), this is a pretty budget-friendly soup to whip up. Potatoes help to bulk it out, and the dried yellow split peas are very reasonable.
3. Classic Prawn Cocktail
I feel like the prawn cocktail is about as retro as you can get. It’s like, where we have deviled eggs and cheese balls, our cousins across the pond have this light and yummy starter.
People have opinions on how to make this, but usually, the sauce is a mix of mayo, tomato chutney or ketchup, Worcestershire (pronounced wuster-sher, or just wuster – yes, really!) sauce, horseradish, and Tabasco.
This one is weeknight-easy to pull together, especially if you start with prawns that are already cooked. I’ve seen it with both king prawns and the mini-shrimp, so it really just comes down to what you prefer.
4. Angels on Horseback
If you thought bacon-wrapped dates were a game-changer, just wait until you try these bacon-wrapped oysters. I know, I know, oysters can be a hit-or-miss thing for people.
But if the idea of eating them raw isn’t for you, this is a fantastic way to give them a try. Oysters have this buttery, sweet-yet-salty flavor that gets even better when they’re cooked.
They also become more tender, which makes for a much better texture in your mouth.
5. Maple-Sriracha Devils on Horseback
This dish goes all the way back to the 1800s! While it’s not totally clear where the name came from, one thing is for sure: these are insanely delicious and completely addictive.
If you’ve never had bacon-wrapped dates before, I am telling you, you need to get to the kitchen right now. That mix of crispy, salty bacon with the warm, chewy dates will have you grabbing for seconds, thirds, and even fourths.
But with this recipe, you also get a pop of blue cheese and maple-sriracha. Blue cheese has a reputation for being strong, but you don’t use a ton here. Plus, it’s all wrapped up in dates and bacon and mellowed out by that sweet and spicy glaze. So good.
6. Welsh Rarebit
I grew up eating Welsh rarebit, and to this day, I crave it at least once a week! It’s like a leveled-up version of cheese on toast, and once you have one bite, you’ll never go back.
Unlike your standard cheese on toast, which is just some grated cheese melted onto bread, this recipe brings in beer, butter, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard.
Sometimes, you’ll make a cheese sauce, sort of like you would for a Croque monsieur. But this recipe keeps things super simple.
Just mix all the ingredients together and pile them high on a thick slice of toast. Then, just grill it until it’s all melty and bubbling. It’s a total win.
7. Scottish Potato Scones
Some classic British breakfasts bring together fried bread with bacon, eggs, beans, and cooked tomatoes. But depending on how far north you travel, “fry-ups” also include these wonderful potato scones.
They’re pretty dense but so wonderfully moist, and the best part is that you can eat them with just about everything, from savory runny egg yolks and ketchup to butter and jam.
These are also perfect for serving on a platter with dips, since they’re pretty sturdy. That way, your guests can scoop and spread as much topping as their hearts desire.
8. Leeks In Cheese Sauce
Along with their Sunday roasts, the Brits are known to take their cheese very seriously. Just go to any supermarket over there, and you’ll see exactly what I mean.
To start, they have a grading system for their cheese. So if you grab a block with a “2” on the front, you know it’s on the milder side. I’m a fan of a good “5” because they’re super mature and packed with flavor.
It’s super important to know this because here in the States, we don’t usually use the same kinds of cheeses, and they’re not typically as strong.
So if you’ve ever made a British recipe and thought, this is a little bland, it might be because you used an American cheddar, which just can’t deliver the same punch of flavor as a British cheddar can.
For this recipe, I’d suggest looking for either Cathedral City or Kerrygold Aged Cheddar, which I’ve been able to find in larger supermarkets.
9. Yorkshire Pudding
Yorkshire puddings are usually served with a “Sunday dinner,” which, as you might have guessed, is a traditional family meal served on a Sunday.
It often comes with ham, beef, pork, or chicken (sometimes even a mix of them all!), roasted veggies, stuffing, and gravy. Oh, and you can’t forget the roasties!
The Brits are super serious about this meal, and you can go to most restaurants for a “roast” if you don’t feel like cooking. But since “Yorkshires” are so incredibly popular, people have started serving them as appetizers, too.
In fact, something I love to serve are mini “toad in the holes.” You just cook the Yorkshire puddings with sausages inside and serve them with onion gravy. So good.
10. Scottish Leek and Potato Soup
Leek and potato soup is a huge deal in the UK, and it’s one of my all-time favorites, too. I just adore the sweet oniony flavor of leeks and that light little note of garlic.
It’s at its best when it’s velvety smooth, but it’s still super tasty if you leave it a bit chunky. Not only is this soup low in calories, but it’s also vegan, gluten-free, and pretty cheap to make.
You’ll want to go for Yukon gold or Russet potatoes to make sure you get the right consistency. And while the mustard is optional, I really suggest you give it a try.
It’s not so much that it really stands out, but it does add a lovely, slightly spicy finish.
