These 11 Authentic, Scottish Recipes will bring back memories for those who miss Scotland. I hope these bring you a taste of home and help keep Scotland close to your heart.
If you’re fortunate enough to have been to Scotland, or better yet, used to live there and now live elsewhere, these 11 authentic, and simple Scottish recipes are for you.
(Anyone care to guess why I chose ELEVEN? Ha ha! Freeeeeeedoooooom! Inside joke for Scots.)
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Ex-pats will know what I’m talking about, but I also know there will be some travelers out there who had a Scottish meal or particular food that they will crave upon returning home. I am always trying to recreate recipes from my travels. Luckily, Scottish food is quite simple and so are the recipes. Remember, these are just 11 recipes from my site. I have many more and am constantly adding to the list.
Edited January 2019: I’ve just added a list of Scottish recipes for a Burns Night Supper!
Consequently, one of the reasons I started this page is to dispel the myth of “bad British food” and the stereotype of Scots only eating haggis and drinking whisky. I hope this post helps me reach my goal and dispel some of those myths.
How can anyone say that this food is bland, boring or bad!? And although I like both haggis and whisky, you’ll only find some whisky in the Cranachan!
Since I’m in Scotland right now, I thought it would be nice to share these with you so that you can enjoy some of the dishes I’ll be enjoying here (sometimes on a daily basis)! I hope you love them, too!
Click on the recipe name, or the photos below to see the recipes in full (starting with breakfast dishes and ending with sweets).
11 Authentic (and Simple) Scottish Recipes
3. OATCAKES
4. SCOTTISH RED LENTIL (and BARLEY) SOUP
6. SHORTBREAD
9. CRANACHAN
So there you have it. Eleven fabulous and authentic Scottish recipes that are so easy to make. Have you had any of them in the past? Will you be trying any of them in the future? Let me know below!
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Enjoy your tastes of Scotland, and if you make one of these recipes, please let me know below the recipe you made! Or on social media use #christinascucina or tag me @christinascucina (@christinacucina on Twitter).
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Hi, 50 years ago I spent a week in Edinburgh. Every morning the man of the pension made us fried bread. I have tried to make it or find instructions with no success. Please help. It was so delicious!
Thank you, Sandy
Oh Sandy, that’s so sad! I wish you could have found my recipe earlier as it’s so easy. Here’s the simple way to make fried bread. I hope it’s as good as you remember! CC
I spotted fried bread and Edinburgh and had to read this article. My great grandmother was from Edinburgh in 1800’s and she taught my grandma how to cook. One thing my grandma made was what we called: Scottish Flapjack and then grandpap who was 100 % Scotch would start making the calls for all to come for the bread.
It was a heavy bread dough fried in skillet about 2″ high and made the way each person liked it. Grandpap , his was filled with sharp chedder cheese, my brother his filled with American cheese, me, jelly as a kid and later American cheese. You sliced it while hot filled it was the cheese and closed it. Wrapped for all to take home. They all came running for it. Seems most of the adults wanted sharp chedder in it.
My dad told me to watch as one day I would need to know how to make it. Old days no recpie , so I watched and watched. And at one point mastered it. Grandpap told me also have to spoon baccon greese around sides as it fried to brown sides.
It’s a simple recepie yet not if you want that special taste. I lost my recpie during many moves over the years :(
It’s not that fried bread you see at fairs as some think it is. Has anyone made this ?
Hi Christina! I’m so glad I found your website! We have Scottish ancestors: the Robertson’s, Mackenzie’s, Edward’s, and Lindsay’s. I visited Scotland 4 years ago with my sister and our husbands. We brought back many Scottish kilts, scarfs, and child bagpipes. We’ve decided to hold our own Scottish Highland Games for our children and grandchildren. I’ve been searching the web for some authentic Scottish food to serve and found your site. I look forward to making your recipes. My thoughts for the party are to serve cottage pies in cupcake foil liners, sausage rolls, macaroon bars, and shortbread cookies. Could you please suggest other foods that children would enjoy and that I could make ahead? I have subscribed to your site and look forward to trying your delicious looking recipes. Thanks!
[…] don’t have to travel around the world to taste the distinct flavors of far-off cuisines, and these recipes bring Scottish classics right to your own dinner […]
When I was growing up in Scotland my Mum used to make tablet. Not the kind with condensed milk. She used butter, milk and sugar. Does anyone have this recipe.
Hi Fran, this is someone whose recipes I trust. Scottish tablet.
Fritter rolls – like the tatty equivalent of the slice sausage, stays in yer roll and it’s in batter – For you Americans, here whit a fritter is:
1. Find a huge tatty
2. peel said huge tatty
3 slice it into flat slices about 10mm thick
4. par boil (my preference) or don’t, I’m no bothered wit you do to be honest
5. make a thin batter
6 drop the big tatty slices into batter
7. fire up yer chip pan
8. chuck batter covered slices of big tatty into yon chip pan
9. butter a roll
10. take bit tatty out the chip pan, salt MALT vinegar, fire in on the roll, skelp some tomato sauce on it
11 eat it.. turn it sideways, upside doon and back to front, it disnay faw out like chips do..
12. 40 pence from the chippy – chip roll 60 pence – back in the day – drink with chateau barrs red kola
When I was at school (I’m now 54) we had these mad wee pure toffee pastry things, short crust ‘cup’ with a mr whippy looking dod of toffee, covered in custard – minted, always wondered where to fet them
[…] have many more English and Scottish recipes if you’d like to peruse them, you can always use the drop down menu on the RECIPES tab at the […]
Who remembers a recipe for a Jam Rolly Polly cake that looked like a ‘hard Jam Roll” and had a crumbly consistency and a hard outside?? We used to have it for dessert sometimes, with custard?? Recipes please girls and Dennis?
[…] Source by harperd […]
[…] Scottish porridge, rumbledethumps, shortbread and more. You can find some of these recipes on Christina’s Cucina and The Spruce […]
am looking for your recipe of Scottish Pancakes. I saw it once on your website but can’t find it now. It was also called Scottish Scones.
Hi Jackie, I’ll email you to get more information as this could be a number of different recipes that I’m thinking of. CC
Hi I just happened on to your web site I am looking for a recipe for Potato cakes. They made with left over mashed potatoes and ground beef and rolled in oats and fried.
If can help me I would be so happy.
Hi Rita, what type of cuisine is this? I don’t believe it’s Scottish as I’ve never heard of anything like it. I have potato and fish cakes and potato scones and boxty, but nothing with the meat and oats. Sorry! :(
[…] CLICK HERE or the photo for more authentic Scottish recipes. […]
Hi Christina,
Do you have a recipe for Scottish Snowballs. I have tried a few of the recipes on google but they are more like cookies. I am looking for a recipe that is more like cake? Any help would be appreciated.
Agnes
[…] You may also enjoy more of my Scottish recipes. […]
Hey Christina,
Ann here again. Have you had any luck finding a REAL recipe for fern cakes? Thanks!
Oh my goodness, I’m so glad you wrote back to me! I was almost positive you’d messaged me on Facebook and for the life of me couldn’t find your message! No wonder it wasn’t there as you’d messaged me here! YES! After weeks and weeks of emails, phone calls and research, I finally got it! I am going to post the recipe here on my site, but it’s not ready yet. I will privately send it to you, though! :)
I just discovered your site–thank heavens! Do you have a recipe for fern cakes? We’ve gotten them from a Scottish bakery in Michigan and the ONLY place they’ve been found (by two different travelers in Scotland) is a small bakery in Monifieth, where my grandmother was born. The only recipes I find on the Internet begin with a box mix. Heavens forbid!! I can’t find a real recipe anywhere. Thank you.
I’m now on a mission! You’re correct, Ann, no authentic recipes out there! I will be back in touch as soon as I can. Thanks for the request, love this!
AS I WAS TOLD SOME TIME AGO THAT I HAVE A SCOTTISH ANCESTRY…AND I LOVE FOOD…I SHOULD LOOK INTO SCOTTISH COOKING. PLEASE EXCUSE MY ‘ALL CAPS’, AS I AM VISION IMPAIRED. LOOKING FORWARD TO KNOWING YOU ALL.
HI RON! I’M SO HAPPY YOU FOUND MY SITE AS I HAVE LOTS OF SCOTTISH RECIPE TO SHARE! THANK YOU FOR TELLING ME ABOUT TYPING IN CAPS SO NOW I CAN RESPOND TO YOU THE SAME WAY AND HOPEFULLY IT’S EASIER FOR YOU TO READ.
LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AND ENJOY MY PAGE! CHRISTINA
[…] More Scottish Recipes […]
I thought they were “griddle” scones?
You didn’t read my post, Niall! :) Read it and you’ll understand.
[…] know that I often post recipes for foods which I miss from Scotland. Well, here’s another one–Scottish Sausage […]
Hi. strawberry cakes were a favourite growing up. Been told the glaze is made from jelly crystals we cant get the same here in Australia. Do you have a recipe for them.
Thanks Rita
Hi Rita, I consulted with my Australian friend who clarified with me that you are talking about Strawberry Tarts (https://christinascucina.com/2012/07/strawberry-tarts.html) which you can see, I have a recipe for. However, I buy the glaze (one of the few things I buy as I haven’t been able to make a really good one. Let me see if I can manage to find you a recipe. Will report back here.
Yes! Sticky Toffee Pudding and Tablet would be my requests….I absolutely loved the food when I visited Scotland a few years back. We stayed in a friend’s home so she shared several recipes with us. These are two I would love to have! Thanks for a great post!
Hi Kathy! I didn’t include Sticky Toffee Pudding as there’s a discrepancy on where it originated (although, I’m sticking with Scotland)! :) Here is the recipe and it’s a good one!
https://christinascucina.com/2012/01/sticky-toffee-pudding-heaven-on-plate.html
I don’t have a tablet recipe as I never liked it, even as a child in Scotland. However, my friend has a recipe on his site, so I’m sure it’s a good one:
https://londoneats.wordpress.com/2011/01/15/scottish-tablet/
Enjoy and please let me know how they turn out! CC
Hi Christina,
The recipes look great , all of them, and I love your pictures, photos and commentary which makes for very interesting reading.
Scotland is a beautiful country and I am proud to have Scottish ancestry in me although born in Yorkshire, England, now living in Australia.
Don’t forget Scotch eggs.!!!!L
Keep up the good work.
Thank you so much, Elaine! Glad you like the recipes and photos, etc.
Re: Scotch Eggs, they are actually an English creation, can you believe that? That’s why I didn’t include them here. :)
I have been browsing through your recipes and travels tonight and I am very much enjoying them.
In your 11 Scottish recipes section I noticed the lack of a traditional Scottish porridge recipe, and the age old question do you like yours salted or sweet? I did see your specialty award winning porridge and it looks amazing.
Well here is a variation on porridge I thought you could try.
We love to cruise and almost all the cruise lines serve a breakfast dish called Bircher or Bircher Mueseli and it is made with good old fashioned rolled oats or porridge oats and it is ULTRA SIMPLE.
Before I got to bed I add two cups of rolled oats to about a pint of milk in an airtight bowl and leave in the fridge to soak overnight.
In the morning, the oats have softened and become almost creamy and it is simply delicious as is without any sweetner.
However I almost always add extras, like a grated apple or pear, or dried fruits like sultanas, sometimes almond slivers, honey, plain yogurt, crème fraiche, jam, marmalade or lemon curd. Sometimes I add store bought muesli for crunch. You get the picture, the variations are limitless.
The basic oats recipe with fresh grated fruit or dried fruits is very healthy and a great filler for dieters, this version tastes exactly like the cruise ship version.
Hi JACXGranny, sorry I missed both of your comments, but I think it was because I was traveling. I didn’t come back from Scotland until the end of May.
Yes, I have seen Bircher Muesli a lot. I do actually have a post on my site about traditional porridge and adding salt. I actually only like savory porridge in the morning. Funny that I won a contest with a sweet porridge recipe, but it’s for dessert. So glad you like my recipes and again, sorry for the delay in responding!
Christina
Your Red Lentil and Barley soup recipe is a variation of our traditional Scottish Lentil soup, and there are many different family variations but it is almost always made with a ham stock.
MY FAMILY LENTIL SOUP – VERY EASY BASIC RECIPE
One cup of red lentils and one cup of yellow split peas, soaked overnight in a big soup pot.
(don’t substitute other colours of lentils or split peas)
If possible rinse a couple of times during soak and replace water, also drain off the soaking water before cooking to get rid of the surplus starch otherwise it froths..
Add a couple of pints of fresh water into the big soup pot,
Add two ham stock cubes (or ham hocks stock and bone)
Add seasoning to taste. I like lots of black pepper and no salt, as the ham stock is salty
Simmer for a couple of hours until soft, mushy and absorbed most of the water.
Note If soup is thin use less water next time, it is meant to be thick and hearty.
Also the Soup will thicken on the second day.
OPTIONS. My daughter is vegetarian so for her I use vegetable stock.
My mother like a redder coloured soup and she would add quite a few grated or liquidised carrots, she even used left over passata or tomato puree.
I prefer a knob of butter, and a generous portion of shredded smoked ham, preferably off the ham hock bone, add that just before serving with crusty chunks of bread to dunk or float.
I usually make double this and freeze.
Lastly let it thicken or use less water and use it as a lentil dahl especially if made with the veggie stock.
Sorry I missed this until now, thanks so much for sharing your family recipe! Yes, many similar variations, but all of them are good and nutritious, too! :)
Many thanks ..you did not just presented 11 Scottish recipes..you made Scotland engraved in our hearts…Moreover you made our eyes love your Most Elegant ..Aristocratic .. artistic Postings
Thank you so much, Zouhair!! You are too kind!
They all look good. I will try the shortbread recipe soon. My fav Scottish dish is Sticky Toffee Pudding. I had it several times in Scotland and I wanted to, but did not, lick the plate! I have made your recipe for Sticky Toffee Pudding and think of Scotland. Enjoy your time there!
Haha! I understand the licking the plate yearnings, Elizabeth! Let me know how you like the shortbread!
You had me in stitches at the ELEVEN reference. I loved that video and shared it around, even although the language was a bit, well, OTT but yet so funny. Every time I go into a lift and see eleven on the list of floors, I keep wondering if we had voice technology if we’d be in the same situation?
Love all your recipes and so glad you’ve shared them, since I’ve missed many of them since I discovered your blog. And you’ll never guess? I have that tea towel too that these girdle scones are on. Great list!
Haha! Yes, wish they skipped a couple of those words, but still, as you said, soooo funny! Thanks, Jill!
Ooooh those Scottish Buns! Enjoy your time in Scotland. I can’t wait to see the photos.
Thank you, Cathy!
Hope you are having a fantastic time! Must try the potato scones! Yum!
Yes, weather’s been good, too!
I’m Scottish and live in Scotland.
Lentil soup is made with a ham bone and ham stock. NEVER BEEF.
You can use a ham bone, Marcia. I was making a recipe from another Scottish lady. :)
Hello yes I am from Scotland and I would like to know why there is 11 recipies, Sorry but I don’t get the joke.
Perhaps I was to young when immigrated to Canada.
Hi Andrew! You just haven’t seen this, that’s all: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMS2VnDveP8&t=34s :) I didn’t want to share it in my post as there are a couple parts which are a bit offensive to some, I”m sure.
Christina. I lived in Scotland for 5 years and saw that skit, but am pretty sure that is not one that anyone over there really made much of an impression over there or remembers.
What is the actual purpose of this comment, Carol?
Regarding your comment, explain to me how the clip has 11 million views on YouTube if it never made much of an impression? All my friends and family in Scotland absolutely know it, remember it, and still joke about it.
I simply don’t understand some of the comments that people take the time to leave on recipe sites. Rather mind-boggling to me.
Can I just say that I love reading your recipes, they’re always the nearest to my own family recipes.
PS I’m Scottish born and bred and I’m naw gonna lie… I genuinely don’t know anyone from the west of Scotland who doesn’t know that exact sketch 🤣.
It’s been a long running thing for years and helped at the strangest if times. My granda, our big strong yin, had just been told he was in the final stage of cancer. we were solemn in the hospital lift, heading upstairs for what was to be his final days. my mammy said to me, it’s floor 11 hen, I couldn’t stop myself and I started the banter with her before getting a grip, feeling ashamed we’d joked at a time like that.
Silence in the lift, except for our mortified tears… Until a few mins later my Grandas voice pipes up from the bed
‘here Lisa… Where aboots in America you fae? Dublin?!’ 😑😂
naw the exact script, but we let him aff, the Doctors and nurses all burst out laughing, as did the rest of us. some of his very last words and he used them to make his lassies smile, he always faced darkness with humour, we didn’t get it fae a stick ❤️.
Anywho I just wanted to share that for some reason, the thumbs got a wee bit carried away though sorry, just ignore the sheer volume of words I just hit ye wae and thanks again for the recipes ❤️🤣
Do you have a receipe for Scottish Rock cakes/buns?
Now THIS is more like it: rock cakes recipe.
Hi. Thought you were including a recipe for Fly Cemetery (not sure I got the name right)?
My grandmother made what we called “curn cakes” which I believe are the same thing or very similar.
You replied.to.a FB post on this topic and I signed up.for your emails as you said you were posting the recipe.
Thanks
Hi Linda! So glad you got my message on Facebook. That is a separate post because I’ve never published the recipe yet. I am sending you a copy of the recipe right now to your email address so check your spam. I have the post scheduled to publish later this month. :)