Classic British Bubble and Squeak with Cabbage and Potatoes

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-08 · Updated 2026-05-08

A traditional British comfort dish combining leftover cabbage and potatoes, pan-fried until golden and crispy. This british-inspired vegetarian ready in about 25 minutes pairs diced cooked potatoes, roughly chopped cooked cabbage, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 3 cups, diced cooked potatoes
• 2 cups, roughly chopped cooked cabbage
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 medium, finely chopped shallot
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 3 cups diced cooked potatoes and 2 cups roughly chopped cooked cabbage. Add 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, mixing gently.
2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp unsalted butter and 1 tbsp olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat until melted and hot.
3. Step 3: Add 1 finely chopped shallot to the skillet and sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
4. Step 4: Add the potato and cabbage mixture, pressing it down evenly into the skillet. Cook over medium heat for 8 minutes without stirring until the bottom is golden brown and crispy.
5. Step 5: Carefully flip the bubble and squeak in sections or use a plate to invert it, then slide it back into the pan. Cook another 6 minutes until the other side is browned and heated through. Serve immediately.