Bubble and Squeak Cakes with Poached Eggs
Why this recipe works
- Crisp edges, soft centre: Frying the shaped potato cakes in butter gives them a golden crust while keeping the inside soft and savoury.
- Classic comfort: Mashed potato, cabbage, butter, and black pepper create the familiar flavour and texture that make bubble and squeak so satisfying.
- Works beyond breakfast: The poached eggs turn the cakes into a complete vegetarian meal that suits brunch, lunch, or a quick dinner.
Get the most out of this recipe
Texture tips
- For crisper cakes: Drain the potatoes and cabbage thoroughly, then let the steam escape before mashing so the mixture is not too wet.
- Help them hold together: Press the cakes firmly when shaping; a slightly cooled mash will be easier to form and less likely to break in the pan.
- Serve straight away: Add the poached eggs just before serving so the crisp surface does not soften too much under the yolk.
Common mistakes
- Cooking over too much heat: Keep the pan at medium heat so the cakes brown steadily without scorching the butter.
- Using a loose mash: If the mixture feels very wet, let it stand briefly before shaping; excess moisture makes the cakes harder to crisp.
- Over-poaching the eggs: Lift the eggs out once the whites are set if you want a soft yolk to run over the cakes.
Make-ahead tips
- Shape ahead: The potato and cabbage cakes can be shaped in advance and chilled until ready to fry.
- Freeze the cakes: Cooked cakes freeze well once cooled; thaw before reheating in a frying pan until piping hot and crisp again.
- Poach eggs fresh: For the best texture, reheat the cakes first and poach the eggs just before serving.
Ingredient notes
- Best potatoes to use: Yukon Gold potatoes give a naturally buttery mash that holds together well for frying.
- Use fresh cabbage: Fresh green cabbage softens quickly in the potato pot and keeps the cakes savoury without becoming heavy.
- Season the mash well: Potato needs confident seasoning, so taste the mixture before shaping and adjust with salt and black pepper if needed.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Peel the potatoes and cut into even chunks. Put them in a large pot, cover with cold water, and add 1 tsp of the fine sea salt. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 12 to 15 minutes until very tender.
- While the potatoes cook, finely shred the green cabbage and thinly slice the spring onion. Add the cabbage to the potato pot for the final 3 minutes so it softens. Drain well in a colander and let the steam escape for 1 minute.
- Tip the potatoes and cabbage into a mixing bowl and mash until mostly smooth with a few small chunks. Stir in the spring onion, black pepper, and the remaining 0.5 tsp fine sea salt. Shape into 4 cakes and press firmly so they hold together.
- Melt the butter in a large frying pan over medium heat. Fry the cakes for 4 to 5 minutes per side until deep golden and crisp, adjusting the heat so the butter does not burn. Transfer to plates and keep warm.
- Fill a large pot with water and bring to a gentle simmer, then stir in the white wine vinegar. Crack each egg into a small cup, swirl the water, and slide in the eggs one at a time. Poach for 3 to 4 minutes until the whites are set and the yolks are still soft, then lift out with a slotted spoon.
- Top each pair of cakes with a poached egg. Season with a little extra black pepper if you like, then serve straight away so the yolk runs into the hot cakes.
Recipe notes
Tips
- For neater cakes, let the mashed potato mixture cool for 5 minutes before shaping, which helps it firm up.
- Keep the poaching water at a gentle simmer rather than a rolling boil so the eggs hold their shape.
- Food safety: if serving to pregnant people, young children, older adults, or anyone immunocompromised, use eggs stamped with the British Lion mark and cook until the yolks are firmer.
Substitutions
- Replace Butter with Extra-virgin olive oil for frying if you prefer a lighter finish.
- Replace White wine vinegar with Apple-cider-vinegar in the poaching water for a slightly fruitier tang.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 2 days
- Cool the cakes completely, then refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 2 days. Reheat in a frying pan over medium heat with a little butter until piping hot and crisp again; poach fresh eggs to serve. The cakes can be frozen for up to 2 months and reheated from thawed in a frying pan until piping hot.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 2 servings
- Total time: 30min (25min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: British
-
Allergens:
Eggs Milk
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