Traditional English Bubble and Squeak with Cabbage and Potatoes

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A classic English dish of pan-fried leftover cabbage and potatoes, crisped to golden perfection and flavored with onion for breakfast or a hearty side. This british-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 30 minutes pairs roughly mashed leftover cooked potatoes, chopped cooked cabbage, medium, finely chopped yellow onion 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 British cuisine 220 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups roughly mashed leftover cooked potatoes and 2 cups chopped cooked cabbage with 1 medium finely chopped yellow onion. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Mix thoroughly.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp unsalted butter and 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat until butter foams.
  3. Step 3: Add the potato and cabbage mixture, pressing down firmly with a spatula to form an even 1-inch thick layer.
  4. Step 4: Cook without stirring for 8-10 minutes until the bottom is golden brown and crisp.
  5. Step 5: Carefully flip the bubble and squeak in sections or whole if possible, and cook for another 8 minutes until the other side is golden and heated through.
  6. Step 6: Serve hot as a hearty breakfast side or with leftover meats.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Traditional English Bubble and Squeak with Cabbage and Potatoes take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Traditional English Bubble and Squeak with Cabbage and Potatoes?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chopped cooked cabbage from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Traditional English Bubble and Squeak with Cabbage and Potatoes?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Traditional English Bubble and Squeak with Cabbage and Potatoes for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Traditional English Bubble and Squeak with Cabbage and Potatoes vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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