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Vegetarian, European

Bubble and squeak with a fried egg

Bubble and squeak is a British patty made of mashed potatoes and cabbage, pan fried until golden and topped with a fried egg. This recipe serves 4, takes 35 minutes, is very easy, and costs €1.80 per serving. The key is letting the patty form a golden crust without stirring it.

Tonight I'm making you a British classic for using up leftovers, bubble and squeak, a golden potato and cabbage patty topped with a fried egg.

Bubble and squeak with a fried egg
Total time
35 min
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€1.80
Calories per person
460 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

Bubble and squeak is the British patty built from whatever is left over, mashed potatoes and softened cabbage, pressed together and pan fried until the bottom turns brown and crisp while the inside stays soft. The name comes from the bubbling and squeaking sound it makes while it cooks, a detail kids love hearing about while it sizzles away.

It's the perfect weeknight dish for a cold autumn or winter evening when you have potatoes and cabbage on hand and no energy to think too hard. Topped with a fried egg with a runny yolk, it turns into a full, comforting meal, and kids tend to love dipping their patty into the yolk with a bit of ketchup.

The ingredients

4 people

Fruits and vegetables

  • Potatoes 1 kg
  • Savoy cabbage 400 g
  • Onion 1

Dairy

  • Butter 50 g
  • Eggs 4

Pantry

  • Sunflower oiloften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Ketchup 4 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Lactose, Eggs

The step by step recipe

  1. Cook the potatoes in chunks in salted water, drain them and roughly mash them. 20 min

    Let them steam dry in the colander for a minute, they'll dry out and the patty will turn out crispier.

  2. Thinly slice the cabbage and onion, and cook them in a pan with a little butter until soft. 8 min

    The cabbage needs to release its water, otherwise the patty will turn out soggy.

  3. Mix the potatoes and cabbage together, season with salt and pepper, and shape into four tightly packed patties.

    Press firmly with the back of a spatula, the patty won't crumble when you flip it.

  4. Heat the oil and a knob of butter in a pan, then let the patties brown without touching them. 12 min

    Once they release easily from the pan on their own, they're ready to flip.

  5. Flip the patties, let the other side brown, and fry the eggs in a separate pan. 6 min

    Cover the eggs with a lid for thirty seconds, the white sets without the yolk hardening.

  6. Place one egg on each patty and serve with ketchup.

    Let the runny yolk sit on top of the patty, it works as the sauce.

Our tips to get it right

  • Use a hot pan and don't crowd it, two patties at a time in a large skillet cook better than four touching ones that turn soft.
  • Leftover potatoes or cabbage from the day before work even better here, they're drier and help the patty hold together.
  • Pick a nonstick pan or butter it generously, that's what keeps the crust from sticking when you flip the patty.

The variations

  • Swap the savoy cabbage for shredded Brussels sprouts or leftover red cabbage, the flavor changes but the texture stays the same.
  • Stir in some bacon bits or leftover shredded meat for a heartier, non vegetarian version.
  • For kids in a hurry, shape small individual patties that are thinner, they cook in half the time and are easy to eat with your hands.

What to serve it with

  • Leftover roast meat or cold cuts
  • Buttered whole wheat toast
  • A sharply dressed watercress salad

Storage

The patties keep for 2 days in the fridge in a sealed container, without the egg. Reheat them in a pan for a few minutes per side to bring back the crispiness, that works better than a microwave. You can freeze them raw or cooked, then thaw in the fridge before reheating in a pan.

Questions about this dish

Can you make the patties ahead of time?

Yes, shape the patties and keep them in the fridge for several hours before cooking. They actually hold together better once well chilled, which makes shaping and cooking easier.

Why does my patty fall apart while cooking?

This usually happens when the potatoes weren't drained well enough or the patty wasn't packed tightly enough. Press firmly with the back of a spatula while shaping it, and let a crust form before touching it.

Can you use a different cabbage instead of savoy cabbage?

Yes, white cabbage or shredded Brussels sprouts both work well. The important part is cooking it down enough in the pan so it doesn't release extra water into the patty.

Does bubble and squeak freeze well?

Yes, both raw and cooked patties freeze well. Thaw in the fridge, then pan fry to bring back a crisp crust.

How long does it take to make a bubble and squeak patty with a fried egg?

Count 35 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “very easy”.

How many calories are in a bubble and squeak patty with a fried egg?

About 460 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a bubble and squeak patty with a fried egg cost?

About €1.80 per serving, or €7.20 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains lactose, eggs. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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