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Original poster

People who have never heard of bread sauce?

315 replies

TheBlueRobin · 25/12/2025 16:44

Sent a photo of my Christmas dinner to a friend. She asked what the white stuff was and whether it was horseradish.

I said 'No, bread sauce.'

She said she had never heard of it. Asked her family and they had never heard of it either.

Wonder it's a regional thing? Her family are from Somerset but also some from Lancashire. My partner is Welsh and never heard of it either. I'm from the Midlands.

I thought it was fairly universal? Dependent on preference ofc.

YABU - I've not heard of bread sauce /it's not a common thing.
YANBU - of course I've heard of it

OP posts:
MissBattleaxe · 25/12/2025 22:36

I'm Welsh and I've heard of it and I know it's popular but I've never tried it. It sounds horrible. My impression is that it's soggy onion mushy bread. Happy to be educated!

Arran2024 · 25/12/2025 22:33

Apparently it's from the middle ages, when old bread was often used to thicken soups, stews, sauces etc https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bread_sauce

Bread sauce - Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bread_sauce

Wherestheteenguide · 25/12/2025 22:30

I'd never heard of it growing up in Wales. My English DH loves it though and was traditional for him growing up. I can't stand the stuff!

CloverPyramid · 25/12/2025 22:27

I’ve heard of it, but couldn’t tell you what it is really. Never seen it in “real life” or known anyone who mentions eating it. Raised in the SE but lived in the NW for about 10 years.

InterestedDad37 · 25/12/2025 22:24

MyRoseRaven · 25/12/2025 16:50

We have it here in Ireland but it's not very common. Gravy would be more ususal.

I come from an Irish family. We always had it, and that continues. I love it 😋

Talkingtomyhouseplants · 25/12/2025 22:22

I had never heard of it until I went to uni. I have since tried it. Don’t get it - why do you want a sauce that tastes sort of like bread and sort of like nothing?

Sugargliderwombat · 25/12/2025 22:14

Abouttoblow · 25/12/2025 18:12

My mum studs a whole onion with peppercorns and cooks that in milk with bay leaves. Then uses the milk to make the bread sauce. It's delicious.

Show quote history

Oh yum!!! I may have to try this but wonder if the cheap packet stuff has a certain nostalgia for me...

Sugargliderwombat · 25/12/2025 22:12

Ended up here after announcing my final decision that bread sauce is the highlight of a Christmas dinner.

Having a Google to prove it is the jewel in the crown.

Barleycat · 25/12/2025 21:28

From Birmingham. Never had it. Never want to try it either, soggy bread sounds disgusting

ThankYouNigel · 25/12/2025 21:27

I adore it, always had it as a child and gave it with every roast as I adore it with roast potatoes.

However, have hosted several friends for a roast who had never heard of it or tried it, but were interested to!

mumwithallthebooks · 25/12/2025 21:25

Love it and don't consider Christmas dinner to be complete without it!

bluegreygreen · 25/12/2025 21:21

From N Ireland and had never heard of bread sauce until I moved to work in Birmingham.

I was served it once at a friend's house with a Sunday roast. I haven't had it since.

Theyreeatingthedogs · 25/12/2025 21:15

We're in Scotland and had it today along with skirlie, gravy, tatties and veg with our pheasant.

Original poster
TheBlueRobin · 25/12/2025 21:13

cheesychipsontheoche · 25/12/2025 20:43

I love bread sauce, it’s an essential for Christmas but I honestly don’t remember when I first had it. I have vague memories of the packet stuff at Christmas as a kid but I was fussy and wouldn’t have tried it. At some point I’ve tried it and fell in love and now you cannot have Christmas dinner with out it. Tesco finest one was spot on this year

I had Tesco finest too and it was lovely. All these posts are inspiring me to make my own!

OP posts:
Vetoncall · 25/12/2025 21:04

I've heard of bread sauce but I've never tried it or seen it served at Christmas in NI where I'm from. I don't think it's really a thing here, nobody I know has ever mentioned having it anyway. I lived in England for 8 years though in my late 20s/early 30s and some friends and colleagues there talked about having it with Christmas dinner.

bridgetreilly · 25/12/2025 21:04

Properly made bread sauce is the food of the gods.

TheaBrandt1 · 25/12/2025 21:02

It’s an essential part of a chicken / turkey roast but not beef. There would be complaints if not included. Personally find it delicious. Nice to have another sauce to bring the roast together that’s not gravy or stuffing

We are quite posh though my working class northern grandparents definitely had it and DH working class London grandparents did not have it so don’t think it’s a class thing,

Artesia · 25/12/2025 20:49

Theslummymummy · 25/12/2025 16:56

I think it's a working class thing

Oh no- we are terribly grand and we all love it

RecordBreakers · 25/12/2025 20:45

Not sure how to vote, as I have heard of it but I've never tasted it, or come across it being served anywhere.

I'm from the Midlands, like you OP.

KimuraTan · 25/12/2025 20:45

I usually make mine with a large onion pricked with cloves in it. Delicious but was vetoed this year so no bread sauce 🥺

cheesychipsontheoche · 25/12/2025 20:43

I love bread sauce, it’s an essential for Christmas but I honestly don’t remember when I first had it. I have vague memories of the packet stuff at Christmas as a kid but I was fussy and wouldn’t have tried it. At some point I’ve tried it and fell in love and now you cannot have Christmas dinner with out it. Tesco finest one was spot on this year

ArcticGrass · 25/12/2025 20:42

Love it, we also occasionally have it with a standard roast to make it feel super special…

Scottish but lived in the midlands till I was 20.

Kerry242 · 25/12/2025 20:37

I only heard of it after DH and I had our first Christmas together where I was cooking dinner. He asked me whether I was making it, I had no idea what it was. I still don't really. I told him no and if he wanted it he could ask his Mum!

maggienolia · 25/12/2025 20:26

Tried Tesco bread sauce today but it was overpowingly spicy. Anyone else tried it?

WheresthesaladTheresthesalad · 25/12/2025 20:26

RaraRachael · 25/12/2025 16:54

I'm in Scotland and don't know anyone who has it with their dinner

I'm Scottish, live in Central Scotland and I just have had it with mine. However! Fully agree with you and just said tonight to DH as we were scoffing that I dont know any Scots who have it.
My love of it is down to my English grandparents (midlands & London).