Easy Bubble and Squeak Recipe
72Bubble and Squeak
Although Bubble and Squeak is traditionally a leftovers meal, my mum always made it from scratch; boiling the cabbage and potatoes purposely to make it. So that's what I do too most of the time. But a good tip is when making mashed potatoes, purposely make extra so that you have mash to make bubble and squeak quickly, anytime you want. In an airtight container, fresh potato mash will last up to a week in the fridge, providing you haven't added milk or butter that would go out of date during that time.
Bubble and Squeak is a great accompaniment to meat or on it's own as a vegetarian option.
I would love to be able to relay why this dish is called Bubble and Squeak, but I honestly don't know for sure. The sounds whilst cooking are thought to be a reason, though I've never heard them!
Bubble and Squeak Ingredients
To serve 4
4 Large New Potatoes
5 Large Dark Cabbage Leaves (I use Savoy Cabbage)
20g Butter
Salt and Pepper to season
How To Make Bubble and Squeak
Rapidly boil the potatoes for 30 minutes in lightly salted water
Roughly shred the Cabbage leaves, then boil for 8-10 (I always add a teaspoon of sugar to the water)
Even better, use your leftovers!
Boiled Cabbage
Mashed Potato
After the potatoes are boiled I drain them and quickly add the butter and begin to mash. You could then just add the Salt and Pepper to taste, but I like to add a few more things to make the mash more interesting.
I also add:
A small handful of grated mature Cheddar Cheese
2 heaped teaspoons of Chives
Garlic Salt (substitute for regular salt)
1 teaspoon of English Mustard
Mash in the pan until smooth.
Paul McCartney Making Mashed Potato - It's Amusing
Mix the Mashed Potato and Cabbage Together
How to Cook Bubble and Squeak
Fry on a high heat for 8-10 minutes each side.
If you like the crispness of the outer potato, you can continue to mash gently in the frying pan with a fork; reshaping as you go. This means that the outer crispy coating will be mashed inwards and the texture will be more defined. I actually like the contrast between the creamy inside and the crispy outer coating, but it's easy to do either.
Smooth Inside, Crisp Outside
Bubble and Squeak Is Great For Getting Your Greens
I have always HATED cabbage, but as a child my mum could get me to eat Bubble and Squeak without a second thought. It's a great way to get kids to eat some greens (though the Cabbage would be healthier steamed) and as an adult, I still can't face Cabbage as a side vegetable, but I do love Bubble and Squeak and make it most weeks.
I mainly serve mine with my homemade Pork Burgers, but when I sometimes don't feel like eating meat, I have it alone as a vegetarian option.
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Homemade Pork Burgers and Bubble and Squeak
More Comfort Food Ideas
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I'm making this now, sounds yummy! Thanks!
My mom used to make it with potatoes and turnips, plus whatever vegetables she had laying around. I thought the turnips added a nice flavor.
bubble and squeak is rhyming slang for cheap.
Just made this. It was delicious. Clear instructions and the photos clinched the need to cook and it.
Was surfing the net specifically for a recipe for bubble and squeak cos i was missing English food and tried yours and it turned out great. Missing England less now:-p
I love bubbles and squeak - had it a long time ago when I lived in Cyprus. Thanks for this Hub.
thanks for posting this recipe- the pictures make it very easy to follow. I'm going to add some green beans and carrot to mine, and have it with sweetcorn and some veggie sausages. Yum!
I haven't heard anyone talk about Bubbles and Squeak except my friend (who was from England) taught me to make it many years ago. She made it as a casserole with cabbage and sausage - hence the bubbles (boiled cabbage) and the squeaks (pork sauage). I am going to try your recipe with the potatoes. Sounds good!
This looks great! I have cabbage in my garden this year to, so when it's ready I'll be trying this!
I have never, ever heard of bubble and squeak. It looks fantastic. I'll try it over the weekend!
Mouth watering page.. fantastic

















ex Brit 11 months ago
Bubble & Squeak is named after the noise it makes while heating. If you make patties out of it you'll never get the noise. You have to have enough left over potato and cabbage (add onions or sausage or left over meat) to cover the bottom of your frying pan. As the gloop heats up it creates bubbles from the bottom of the pan. The bubble eventually breaks through the gloop creating a squeaking noise. If you make a smaller pattie out of it the heat/air escapes noiselessly from the sides. It has to be a starchy gooey layer over the whole bottom of the pan.