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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

How do you make bubble & squeak?

40 replies

Geminijust · 26/12/2025 10:31

My mum (rip) did the best bubble & squeak. I've never been able replicate it, mine is always a bit dry and tasteless. Please could you share your methods? I have leftover roast pots, parsnips, sprouts & carrots. I've always just mashed it up together and fried with mediocre results!

Thank you 🙂

OP posts:
CalzoneOnLegs · 28/12/2025 20:00

@MikeRafone it was quite hard with the masher but I CBA with the washing up of the FP, plus I like texture.

CalzoneOnLegs · 28/12/2025 20:03

@Mrsbunnychops agreed, @TimeForATerf whilst the cheese addition idea is genius, I need at least one dish that doesn’t have cheese in it 🐷😀, just the once.

CalzoneOnLegs · 28/12/2025 20:06

@Nincompoo yes, please don’t wanker up an old school classic

snugglyblanket · 28/12/2025 20:18

I can never get a good patty that turns out neatly so I baked mine this year. I mashed everything, including a bit of stuffing, fried it in a cast iron pan then smothered it in grated cheese and baked in the oven until the cheese was melted & starting to brown. Served a big slice with a fried egg & a side of shredded sprouts & bacon.

FruitWordSalad · 28/12/2025 20:21

Bread sauce and stuffing always added here. But leftover cauliflower cheese is the game changer. Gorgeous.

pinkpony88 · 28/12/2025 20:22

I add cheese and yesterday half a pack of Boursin 🤤

pinkpony88 · 28/12/2025 20:24

CalzoneOnLegs · 28/12/2025 20:03

@Mrsbunnychops agreed, @TimeForATerf whilst the cheese addition idea is genius, I need at least one dish that doesn’t have cheese in it 🐷😀, just the once.

Edited

😮

Brefugee · 28/12/2025 20:24

Have not rtft.

Butter. Lots. And/or goose fat. And maybe gravy, milk, water?

pinkpony88 · 28/12/2025 20:27

MikeRafone · 28/12/2025 19:10

I put mine in the food processor, my dad used to mash with potato masher but I don't seem to have the strength - so just chuck it in the food p for a few minutes in batches and then mix it all together

cook low and slow in a fry pan and then put a plate over the fry pan to turn it over

I use a big fork. My masher just presses it

PlayingDevilsAdvocateisinteresting · 28/12/2025 21:16

Geminijust · 26/12/2025 10:31

My mum (rip) did the best bubble & squeak. I've never been able replicate it, mine is always a bit dry and tasteless. Please could you share your methods? I have leftover roast pots, parsnips, sprouts & carrots. I've always just mashed it up together and fried with mediocre results!

Thank you 🙂

It is, and should be, very simple to make.

The first thing you need is a good frying pan - nothing too flimsy, or too heavy for that matter.

Then you need lots of floury mashed potatoes. They can have been mashed with a small amount of warm milk, and or some butter, and a pinch of salt if it is not going to be given to a baby, or a young child. You shouldn't use much butter or milk as we are not aiming for smooth mashed potatoes. Slightly chunky is actually much better, as long as the potato is cooked through. Please don't use roasted or new potatoes, the texture is not at all suitable for bubble & squeak. Also, please don't add any other leftovers eg. parsnips, carrots, peas etc. They actually detract from the flavour of the Bubble&Squeak!

Next, chop in half about two thirds of pre-cooked, al dente, sprouts, and roughly mix them with the potatoes. At the same time, heat about a tablespoon of butter, and a little cooking oil in the frying pan. Then, when the fat is all melted and quite hot, add the first portion of the potato and sprouts into the pan. As others have said, the bottom of the mixed b&s should go quite brown and crispy, and when that happens, use a fish slice to turn the mix over in chunks - you may/will probably need to add some more melted butter, and a little heated oil (melting and heating in a microwave for a few seconds is probably the easiest way to do that) to the pan, to keep the mix slightly moist, and make the new bottom of the mix crispy. If you have quite a few guests to feed, or you have a very big appetite (I have when it comes to b&s!), or only a small frying pan, keep your already fried b&s hot, while heating up and crisping the next batch of b&s.

*The already prepared and heated mixture should have any extra, visible, liquid cooked off it quickly, before removing it from the pan.

When serving, have salt and white pepper available for any adult who might want to add a little extra spice, to their meal. In our house, this annually eagerly anticipated meal is also served with pickles, red cabbage, and cranberry sauce available. It is also great served with many fifferent cold cuts of meat

FruitWordSalad · 28/12/2025 23:03

Oh no, not just sprouts and potatoes, I need a lie down having read that Grin

CalzoneOnLegs · 29/12/2025 03:46

@FruitWordSalad that’s just C & P from somewhere - what nonsense !

MikeRafone · 29/12/2025 08:45

CalzoneOnLegs · 28/12/2025 20:00

@MikeRafone it was quite hard with the masher but I CBA with the washing up of the FP, plus I like texture.

It still has texture, bt like rough mash. I do it in batches and don't over process the mixture. I did this Boxing Day morning and popped it in a throw away roasting dish, which it filled, the food processor was washed and ive used one fry pan since - so apart from a plate and knife and fork there hasn't been any other washing up...

FruitWordSalad · 29/12/2025 08:51

CalzoneOnLegs · 29/12/2025 03:46

@FruitWordSalad that’s just C & P from somewhere - what nonsense !

I hope so, otherwise it's the most tragic version of bubble and squeak I could imagine!

xAwaywiththefairiesx · 29/12/2025 09:00

Your bubble and squeak can only be as good as your roast!
If your roast has plenty of flavour and seasoning, your bubble and squeak will too.
After Christmas dinner, we have three plates of leftovers in the fridge, one for each of the meats, one for all the leftover veg and potatoes. This will also be full of all the rosemary, sage, stuffing and roasted garlic that the potatoes will have been cooked in.
I just tip it in a bowl, mix it up, give it a rough mash with a potato masher, form into into patties and fry until you get a nice brown crust. Then stick a fried egg or two on top. Runny yolk essential.

It's heaven 😋🤤 and I am going to get out of bed and go make some right now!!

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