Traditional British BBQ Recipes: Regional Dishes, Modern Twists & Expert Tips

In the UK, many of us don’t think of ourselves as BBQ lovers, and yet a recent study shows that 70% of us will fire up the BBQ at least once a month during summer. Most Brits agree that food from the BBQ tastes better, while more people are experimenting with regional BBQ food, moving beyond predictable hot dogs and burgers. In today’s blog, we explore the untapped potential of British BBQ, find regional dishes that are BBQ ready, and help to solve some common grilling problems. 

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Understanding British BBQ: A Regional Feast

So many British regional dishes can be cooked, and elevated, by using the BBQ. Consider thinking out of the box for your next British BBQ and take some inspiration from traditional regional cuisines, including: 

• • Wales: Traditional welsh lamb, fresh off the grill will change the way you feel about BBQ, and probably lamb, forever. Glaze with mint or add exotic flavours to turn this standard Sunday lunch fare into your new go-to grill dish. 
  • Scotland: With distinct dishes that are surprisingly compatible with BBQ flavours, traditional Scottish foods like haggis and square lorne sausages can quickly be transformed into delicious Scottish BBQ recipes.

• South West England: Surrounded by water, it’s no surprise the coastal South West of England is famous for its seafood. BBQ cooking brings a new dimension of flavour to fish and seafood, making Southern fish dishes a perfect option for experimenting on the grill. 

• • Northern England: Using a base of Yorkshire pudding wrap in lieu of bread, adding BBQ brisket, steak, or chicken can take this Northern classic to a whole new level. 

• Cumbria: A staple for a classic BBQ, sausage is one of the most popular meats to grill. Up your hotdog game by choosing traditional herbed and flavourful Cumberland sausage.

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Don’t forget the British drinks

With a host of British beers, wines, and soft drinks to choose from, pair your BBQ with tasty British beverages for extra regional flair.

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Traditional British BBQ Delights

While some potential BBQ dishes are deeply rooted in regional favourites, many UK wide traditional delights make incredible additions to BBQ food Made with classic recipes or with added spice for more exotic flavours, these firm favourites will always be crowd-pleasers at a British BBQ. . 

BBQ Bangers and mash

So simple, yet so versatile, Britain offers over 400 varieties of sausage to test out on the grill. Sausage on the BBQ doesn’t have to be hotdogs, you can up your bangers and mash game any day of the week with a selection of smoke infused, BBQ sausages.

Traditional British Hog Roast

A staple for large gatherings and events, a classic British hog roast is a great way to feed a lot of people at once. Traditionally roasted on a spit, BBQ’s help to trap the rich, smokey flavours into your meat and let’s be honest – very few homeowners have a giant spit roast permanently set up in the garden.

Sandwiches

Brits love sandwiches, but we tend to stick to time-tested hot dog and hamburger buns when we host a BBQ. Think outside the box and consider what smokey BBQ meat sandwiches could do for your taste buds. Some tasty British options include:

• BBQ beef sandwiches with horseradish 
• Grilled fish butties 
• Smoked herb chicken sandwiches 
• Grilled prawns in a bun 

Jacket potatoes

Easily distracted by all things meat, Brits have a habit of forgetting side dishes at a BBQ. A perfect way to cook up some classic jacket potatoes in campfire style, fire-cooked jackets add a hint of rustic charm to these crowd-pleasers. 

Expert Tip: According to Great British Food Awards, using marinades, rubs, and sauces can elevate everything we cook on the BBQ, turning simple ingredients into mouth-watering dishes​ (Great British Food)​.

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Modern Twists on the BBQ Classics

Brits love tradition and nostalgia, but too much of it can stunt our BBQ game a little. New BBQ trends think outside the box, saying goodbye to the old-school burger brigade. Try out some of the newest British BBQ trends and see what all the fuss is about. 

• Vegetarian and vegan cooking: As more people become mindful of the meat they eat for health, environmental, or moral reasons, playing with meatless recipes on the grill has never been easier. Discover the hearty texture of rich portabella mushrooms, or delight in the flavours of grilled summer vegetables. Jamie Oliver’s BBQ recipes include a variety of veggie options like crispy barbecued salmon and grilled vegetable rolls with chickpea salad​ (Jamie Oliver)​.
• Wood fire cooking: Experimenting with recipes found online, Brits are discovering so many ways to enjoy outdoor cooking. Adding a more classic wood-infused taste to food, cooking with a wood fire. The Smoke & Fire Festival celebrates this trend with international BBQ styles, offering demos and tastings of wood-fired dishes from around the world​ (Smoke & Fire Festival)​.
• Experimenting with spices and marinades: When we were kids, a BBQ often meant throwing meat on the grill with no seasoning and no clue. Now our taste buds have been activated by traditional herbs and exotic spice options, using marinades, rubs, and sauces can elevate everything we cook on the BBQ. Pitt Cue’s menu in London, for example, features unique dishes like pork jowl scrumpet with apple ketchup and sticky caramel beef ribs, showcasing innovative use of spices and flavors​ (Roads & Kingdoms)​.
• Fire baked bread: Both a modern trend and one of the oldest methods around, cooking bread dough over BBQ heat like our ancestors is a delicious way to discover the ways of old. Recipes for campfire bread can add a rustic charm to your BBQ spread​ (Jamie Oliver)​.

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Grilling Like a Brit: Mastering Your BBQ

In addition to cooking up regional dishes, British grilling can benefit from other traditional British cooking methods that we don’t always think to bring to the BBQ. Incorporate some of these British classics into your next BBQ for an event to remember:

• Earthy British herbs: Britain may have recently discovered spices, but earthy and healthy herbs have been flavouring our dishes for generations. Adding the savoury tastes of sage, rosemary, thyme, and parsley immediately gives your BBQ a traditionally British feel.  Jamie Oliver emphasises the importance of using fresh, local herbs to enhance the natural flavours of your BBQ dishes​ (Jamie Oliver)​.
• Fresh salads and veggies: British gardens can grow a remarkable amount of fresh veggies and salads. Adding crunchy cucumbers and local veggies adds a healthy option to your feast. A fresh salad with garden-grown ingredients can balance the richness of grilled meats and provide a refreshing contrast​.
• Don’t forget the brown sauce: Ketchup is always the go-to of the BBQ world, but don’t underestimate the HP for a delicious alternative to BBQ sauce. Great for glazing red meat, making BBQ sausage butties, and adding some much needed flavour to chicken, this British go-to is a versatile grill-side ingredient. DJ BBQ recommends experimenting with different sauces to find your personal favourite BBQ flavour​ (Great British BBQ)​.
• Experiment with your cheese: We live in a land of cheesy goodness. Over 700 named British cheeses are made in the UK and a great amount of them are mind-blowing on burgers and BBQ food. Branch out from the cheese slices, and see how real British cheese can change the way you grill. Try melting a slice of Stilton on your burger or adding a tangy Red Leicester to your grilled sandwich for an extra burst of flavour​.

Tips & Tricks for BBQ Success

Every BBQ should be a success, but let’s not pretend we haven’t all had a few disasters in the past. From fire to food disasters, there’s a lot that can go wrong. Follow the tips below to increase your chances of throwing a crowd-winning event. 

• Clean the grill after every BBQ: Nothing kills the BBQ vibes like realising you need to start cleaning before starting today’s feast. Cleaning your grill after each outing keeps your cooking surface healthy and stops unwanted surprises. This is one of the fundamental practices for maintaining a healthy and efficient grilling surface​.

• Don’t keep opening the lid: A watched pot never boils and an open BBQ can result in disasters. For dishes that require smoking, opening the lid lets out all of the smoky flavour and takes much longer for food to cook. Keep the lid closed to maintain consistent heat​.
• Focus on one dish at a time: Different meats and veggies have very different cooking times and heat requirements. By juggling a variety of food on your BBQ at once, at least one of your selections is going to be over, or undercooked. Stick with one thing at a time until you know your grill like the back of your hand. 
• Use your BBQ more often: Firing up the BBQ can feel a little stressful for some people. When you become more familiar with cooking this way, using your grill becomes second nature and your favourite British BBQ dishes will be at your fingertips whenever you crave them. 

Challenges

• Grilling in the UK is not without its challenges. The key is to find a little of the old British fighting spirit and practise our grilling skills whenever you get the chance. Be mindful of some of the challenges below and work around them to start enjoying your tastiest dinners yet and hosting the event of the summer.

• Patience: Especially when using charcoal to grill, it can be tempting to spread your coals and get ready for action as soon as they start turning grey. Jumping the gun can slow your heat down and even put the fire out altogether. Waiting for those coals to get up to temperature will be worth it in the long run….we promise!

• Uneven grilling: Distributing coals unevenly is a common problem with BBQ cooking. When you stack your coals, consider your cooking areas. If you need direct heat across your whole grill rack, make sure that your coals are evenly spaced to prevent heat spikes​.

• Weather: While studies show 20% of Brits are undeterred by bad weather, that still leaves a majority who shy away from the grill at the sight of rain or the pinch of cold. Grilling in bad weather produces some of the most delicious comfort food you could ask for and the rich smoke flavours and spices are usually worth spending a few minutes outside in your cagoule​.

Food and Personal Safety on the Grill

• BBQs should be fun, and cooking up classic regional fare outdoors should leave us with nothing but good memories. Keep your cooking standards high and your safety record clean by following the tips below for safe British BBQ.

• Cooking temperatures: After ensuring your coals or flame are hot enough to cook, check your meat temperatures regularly with a cooking thermometer to make sure every piece of meat is delicious and safe to eat​.

• Grilling hygiene: Touching raw meats, not mixing raw ingredients, and regular hand and utensil washing are all healthy kitchen habits we need to take outside with us when we BBQ​.

• Paying attention: Even when the flame goes out, your smoking grill is on fire. Don’t leave your BBQ unattended at any point after you light it, lest you lose your garden shed and potentially your eyebrows.

• Use a flat, even surface: A wobbly BBQ is a setup for disaster. From fires to lost food, nothing good can come from a grill rocking back and forth. Make sure your BBQ is fully stable before lighting it. You may need to place it on a paving slab or other flat surface if your garden ground is particularly bumpy​.

• Use your utensils and gloves: When the flames go out and your ashy coals are left to cook your dinner, it’s easy to forget how hot the grill really is. Use your gloves whenever you grill and remember how hot any metal utensils will get when they are too close to the BBQ​.

Final Thoughts

Classic summer British BBQs are nostalgic, but elevating the experience with modern versions of traditional regional dishes takes your grilling skills to the next level. Whether you plan to host a party or just want to experiment by yourself, truly British style BBQ options make grilling a joy all year round. 

At BillyOh, we help Brits find the ideal grill for their garden and their taste buds. Offering gas, charcoal, and smoking grill options, Brits are no longer letting a bit of grey weather hold them back from creating backyard culinary magic.