Easy Bubble and Squeak Recipe

This is my quick and easy Bubble and Squeak- a delicious and traditional way to use up leftover mashed potato and cabbage from your roast dinner.

This is my ULTIMATE Monday night speedy dinner. It’s also one of the best ways to get the kids to eat their green veg, well one of mine anyway –  the other one managed to pick most of it out, but a few bits definitely got past the green veg defences.

You can add in more veg – such as carrots or peas if you like. Or you can serve it with something other than eggs and bacon (cheese-topped beans, or even just a good glug of leftover gravy!).
The whole point of this dish is to use up those leftovers in a comforting, hearty dinner.

What is bubble and squeak?

Most sources would define it as a breakfast dish made up of a mixture of leftover mashed potatoes and cabbage that’ve been fried up until browned. Sometimes with the addition of more vegetables.
It can be fried as small burger-sized patties, as one big pan in a larger patty if you like it to look neat and even. Or if you prefer, you can fry it all up and keep moving it around the pan, mixing often. This results in a messier looking bubble and squeak, but with more browned bits, as they’re mixed throughout.

Is it the same as colcannon?

The base ingredients of mashed potato and cabbage are the same, but the Irish dish of Colcannon often uses kale or white cabbage instead of savoy cabbage. The mash would usually be freshly made hot mash, made with milk, cream, butter, salt and pepper. It also wouldn’t be fried. Sometimes colcannon also includes spring onions/scallions too, although I see this more in American versions of colcannon.

Rumbledethumps – a Scottish dish – also uses the same base of mashed potato (with cream, butter, salt and pepper) and cabbage with the addition of sautéed onions. Sometimes the mixture is transferred to a tin and baked until browned. If it’s baked, sometimes cheese is sprinkled on top too.

Bubble and squeak takes me right back to my childhood.  The name supposedly comes from the sound the cabbage makes whilst cooking in the pan.  I’ve listened hard, and I may have heard the slightest squeak occasionally!

What do we need to make it?

Steps for making it:

(see full instructions and quantities in the recipe card below):

Mix leftover mashed potato in a bowl with leftover cooked cabbage, salt and pepper.
Melt butter in a pan with a little oil and add in the bubble and squeak. Fry for 5-7 minutes, then ruffle the top of the bubble and squeak with a fork. Brush with a little melted butter and oil and place under a hot grill until golden brown.
Top with crispy bacon, poached egg and parsley before serving.

Top tips:

• Add more veg from your roast dinner – chopped sprouts, broccoli, carrots and peas make great additions.
• Kale is a fine substitute instead of savoy cabbage.
• Be sure to brush with butter and a little oil before grilling to get a lovely browned crispy top
• Sprinkle with Maldon salt before serving. Maldon salt and potatoes are a match made in heaven

Can you make it into patties instead?

Yes, you can make into 6-8 individual patties. Dust them with flour and sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper (this will give a nice crispy crust on the patties), then fry in the pan with a tablespoon of butter and a tablespoon of vegetable oil, turning once, until golden brown on both sides and hot throughout (about 5-6 minutes). You’ll probably have to work in two batches to prevent overcrowding the pan.

What can I serve it with?

Go with the bacon and eggs like me, plus a good glug of brown sauce (or ketchup if you prefer). Or how about:

• Baked beans – served smoky with the addition of a little chipotle or smoked paprika. Some fried chorizo in there would be great too!
• With cold slices of leftover meat from your roast dinner, perhaps with a some pickles and cheese
• Drizzled with leftover gravy from your roast dinner

More things to make with leftover mashed potato:

• Fish pie with cheesy mash
• Baked Spinach and Goats Cheese Croquettes
• Cottage pie with rich gravy
• Baked Cheesy Potato Croquettes
• Kale and Bacon Mashed Potatoes

Craving a roast dinner now so you can have all of those lovely leftovers?

Here’s my roast beef dinner post (plus free printable guide if you sign up to my mailing list).

The video:

Watch me show you exactly how to make this delicious Bubble and Squeak on YouTube:

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This post was first published in February 2014. Updated in February 2020 with new photos, video, tips and recipe improvements.

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