Classic Full English Breakfast Recipe

A Classic Full English Breakfast is the ultimate morning feast, offering a hearty combination of savory flavors and comforting textures. This traditional British breakfast includes fried eggs, crispy bacon, sausages, sautéed mushrooms, baked beans, grilled tomatoes, and golden hash browns. For an elegant twist, seared scallops served in a shell are added, alongside buttered toast and a cup of tea. It’s a satisfying meal perfect for weekend brunches, served with a bottle of HP sauce for that authentic British touch.


Ingredients:

For the Breakfast:

  • 2 large eggs
  • 4 slices of thick-cut bacon
  • 2 pork sausages
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup baked beans
  • 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
  • 2 hash browns (store-bought or homemade)
  • 4 large sea scallops
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 slices of bread, toasted and buttered
  • 2 tablespoons butter, divided
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
  • HP sauce, for serving

For the Tea:

  • 2 cups black tea (English Breakfast or Earl Grey)
  • Milk and sugar, to taste

Preparation:

Step 1: Prepare the Bacon and Sausages

  1. Cook the Bacon:
    Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the bacon until crispy and golden brown, about 4-5 minutes per side. Once cooked, transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess grease.
  2. Cook the Sausages:
    In the same skillet, cook the sausages, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and fully cooked through, about 10-12 minutes. Transfer to the plate with the bacon and keep warm.

Step 2: Sauté the Mushrooms and Grill the Tomatoes

  1. Sauté the Mushrooms:
    Add 1 tablespoon of butter to the same skillet and sauté the sliced mushrooms over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes until they are tender and golden brown. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Remove from the pan and set aside.
  2. Grill the Tomatoes:
    In the same skillet, place the halved cherry tomatoes cut side down. Cook for 3-4 minutes until they are slightly charred and soft. Remove from heat and set aside with the mushrooms.

Step 3: Fry the Eggs and Heat the Beans

  1. Fry the Eggs:
    Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in the skillet over medium-low heat. Crack the eggs into the pan and cook until the whites are set but the yolks remain runny, about 3-4 minutes. For firmer yolks, cook a bit longer. Season with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat the Baked Beans:
    While the eggs are frying, heat the baked beans in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.

Step 4: Cook the Hash Browns

  1. Prepare Hash Browns:
    If using store-bought hash browns, cook according to package instructions. For homemade, fry in a skillet with oil until golden and crispy on both sides, about 5 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels and keep warm.

Step 5: Sear the Scallops

  1. Season the Scallops:
    Pat the sea scallops dry with a paper towel and season them lightly with salt and pepper.
  2. Sear the Scallops:
    Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a clean skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the scallops for 2-3 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and slightly caramelized. Serve them in their shells for an elegant touch.

Step 6: Toast the Bread and Brew the Tea

  1. Buttered Toast:
    Toast the slices of bread until golden brown. Spread butter generously on the toast and set aside.
  2. Brew the Tea:
    Brew two cups of strong black tea (such as English Breakfast or Earl Grey). Add milk and sugar to taste for a classic British tea pairing.

Step 7: Assemble the Full English Breakfast

  1. Arrange on a Plate:
    On a large plate, arrange the fried eggs, crispy bacon, sausages, sautéed mushrooms, grilled tomatoes, hash browns, baked beans, and seared scallops in a shell. Add the buttered toast on the side.
  2. Garnish and Serve:
    Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Place a bottle of HP sauce nearby for serving, as this is a classic condiment for a Full English Breakfast.
  3. Serve with Tea:
    Pour a cup of hot tea to enjoy alongside this hearty breakfast.

Cooking Notes:

  • Timing: To keep everything hot, cook the bacon and sausages first, then move on to the mushrooms and tomatoes. The eggs and scallops can be cooked last so they’re served warm.
  • Scallops: Pat the scallops dry to ensure a good sear. They should be slightly translucent in the center when done, but not overcooked to maintain their tenderness.
  • Hash Browns: You can make homemade hash browns by grating potatoes, squeezing out the excess moisture, and frying them until crispy.

Serving Suggestions:

  • Serve the Full English Breakfast with fresh fruit, like orange slices or berries, for a lighter addition to balance out the richness of the meal.
  • For a heartier breakfast, add a black pudding or a slice of fried bread to the plate.

Tips:

  • Make Ahead: Cook the sausages and bacon ahead of time and reheat them in the oven when ready to serve.
  • Customization: This breakfast is very versatile. You can add or swap items, such as using black beans instead of baked beans, or swapping in different proteins like ham or chicken sausages.
  • Tea Tips: Traditionally, black tea with milk is served with a Full English Breakfast. If you prefer herbal tea, you can offer alternatives like peppermint or chamomile.

Prep Time:

15 minutes

Cooking Time:

30 minutes

Total Time:

45 minutes


Nutritional Information (per serving):

  • Calories: 850
  • Protein: 40g
  • Sodium: 1300mg

Conclusion:

This Classic Full English Breakfast is a delicious and hearty way to start the day. With crispy bacon, savory sausages, fried eggs, sautéed mushrooms, and seared scallops, this breakfast will satisfy even the biggest appetites. The combination of flavors and textures, from the creamy beans to the crunchy hash browns, makes it a complete meal that’s hard to beat. Enjoy it with buttered toast, a warm cup of tea, and a splash of HP sauce for the ultimate British breakfast experience.

 

 

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Classic Full English Breakfast Recipe


  • Author: Imili Johnson
  • Total Time: 45 minutes

Description

A Classic Full English Breakfast is the ultimate morning feast, offering a hearty combination of savory flavors and comforting textures. This traditional British breakfast includes fried eggs, crispy bacon, sausages, sautéed mushrooms, baked beans, grilled tomatoes, and golden hash browns. For an elegant twist, seared scallops served in a shell are added, alongside buttered toast and a cup of tea. It’s a satisfying meal perfect for weekend brunches, served with a bottle of HP sauce for that authentic British touch.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Breakfast:

  • 2 large eggs
  • 4 slices of thick-cut bacon
  • 2 pork sausages
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup baked beans
  • 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
  • 2 hash browns (store-bought or homemade)
  • 4 large sea scallops
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 slices of bread, toasted and buttered
  • 2 tablespoons butter, divided
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
  • HP sauce, for serving

For the Tea:

  • 2 cups black tea (English Breakfast or Earl Grey)
  • Milk and sugar, to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Bacon and Sausages

  1. Cook the Bacon:
    Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the bacon until crispy and golden brown, about 4-5 minutes per side. Once cooked, transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess grease.
  2. Cook the Sausages:
    In the same skillet, cook the sausages, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and fully cooked through, about 10-12 minutes. Transfer to the plate with the bacon and keep warm.

Step 2: Sauté the Mushrooms and Grill the Tomatoes

  1. Sauté the Mushrooms:
    Add 1 tablespoon of butter to the same skillet and sauté the sliced mushrooms over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes until they are tender and golden brown. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Remove from the pan and set aside.
  2. Grill the Tomatoes:
    In the same skillet, place the halved cherry tomatoes cut side down. Cook for 3-4 minutes until they are slightly charred and soft. Remove from heat and set aside with the mushrooms.

Step 3: Fry the Eggs and Heat the Beans

  1. Fry the Eggs:
    Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in the skillet over medium-low heat. Crack the eggs into the pan and cook until the whites are set but the yolks remain runny, about 3-4 minutes. For firmer yolks, cook a bit longer. Season with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat the Baked Beans:
    While the eggs are frying, heat the baked beans in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.

Step 4: Cook the Hash Browns

  1. Prepare Hash Browns:
    If using store-bought hash browns, cook according to package instructions. For homemade, fry in a skillet with oil until golden and crispy on both sides, about 5 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels and keep warm.

Step 5: Sear the Scallops

  1. Season the Scallops:
    Pat the sea scallops dry with a paper towel and season them lightly with salt and pepper.
  2. Sear the Scallops:
    Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a clean skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the scallops for 2-3 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and slightly caramelized. Serve them in their shells for an elegant touch.

Step 6: Toast the Bread and Brew the Tea

  1. Buttered Toast:
    Toast the slices of bread until golden brown. Spread butter generously on the toast and set aside.
  2. Brew the Tea:
    Brew two cups of strong black tea (such as English Breakfast or Earl Grey). Add milk and sugar to taste for a classic British tea pairing.

Step 7: Assemble the Full English Breakfast

  1. Arrange on a Plate:
    On a large plate, arrange the fried eggs, crispy bacon, sausages, sautéed mushrooms, grilled tomatoes, hash browns, baked beans, and seared scallops in a shell. Add the buttered toast on the side.
  2. Garnish and Serve:
    Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Place a bottle of HP sauce nearby for serving, as this is a classic condiment for a Full English Breakfast.
  3. Serve with Tea:
    Pour a cup of hot tea to enjoy alongside this hearty breakfast.

Notes

Cooking Notes:

  • Timing: To keep everything hot, cook the bacon and sausages first, then move on to the mushrooms and tomatoes. The eggs and scallops can be cooked last so they’re served warm.
  • Scallops: Pat the scallops dry to ensure a good sear. They should be slightly translucent in the center when done, but not overcooked to maintain their tenderness.
  • Hash Browns: You can make homemade hash browns by grating potatoes, squeezing out the excess moisture, and frying them until crispy.

Serving Suggestions:

  • Serve the Full English Breakfast with fresh fruit, like orange slices or berries, for a lighter addition to balance out the richness of the meal.
  • For a heartier breakfast, add a black pudding or a slice of fried bread to the plate.

Tips:

  • Make Ahead: Cook the sausages and bacon ahead of time and reheat them in the oven when ready to serve.
  • Customization: This breakfast is very versatile. You can add or swap items, such as using black beans instead of baked beans, or swapping in different proteins like ham or chicken sausages.
  • Tea Tips: Traditionally, black tea with milk is served with a Full English Breakfast. If you prefer herbal tea, you can offer alternatives like peppermint or chamomile.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes

Nutrition

  • Calories: 850
  • Sodium: 1300mg
  • Protein: 40g
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