🍺 10 Ultimate Pub Grub Recipes You Can Make at Home

Classic British Comforts Without Leaving the House

There’s something magical about pub grub. It’s the scent of chips frying in the background, the warmth of a wood-panelled booth, the unmistakable sound of a pint being pulled. Whether you're deep in the countryside or tucked into a hidden London corner, British pub food offers comfort, tradition, and hearty satisfaction.

But you don’t need to head down the local to enjoy these classics. In this post, we’re recreating 10 iconic pub grub recipes you can make at home — complete with tips, measurements, and the kind of soul-warming satisfaction only a proper plate of pub food can deliver.

🍽️ What Is “Pub Grub”?

“Pub grub” refers to the traditional, often hearty dishes served in British public houses (aka pubs). Originally focused on cheap, filling food for working-class patrons, pub menus have evolved — but the comfort factor remains the same.

From pies and chips to roasts and fried favourites, pub grub is Britain’s edible love language.

🔥 1. Bangers and Mash with Onion Gravy

Ingredients (Serves 4):

• 8 quality pork sausages
• 1kg Maris Piper potatoes
• 100ml milk
• 50g butter
• 2 onions, sliced
• 1 tbsp flour
• 500ml beef stock
• Salt and pepper

Tools: Frying pan, potato masher, saucepan.

Tip: Simmer onions slowly for a deep, caramelised flavour before adding flour and stock for the gravy.

👉 Serve with peas or fried cabbage for a true pub plate.

🥧 2. Steak and Ale Pie

Ingredients (Serves 4):

• 600g stewing beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 carrot, diced
• 300ml ale (e.g. London Pride or Guinness)
• 1 tbsp flour
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 sheet puff pastry
• 1 egg (for brushing)

Tools: Casserole pan, oven-safe pie dish, rolling pin.

When this hits the table golden and bubbling, it’s game over. Deeply British, beautifully filling.

🍟 3. Scampi and Chips

Ingredients (Serves 4):

• 400g raw king prawns
• 100g flour
• 1 egg
• 100g breadcrumbs
• 500g Maris Piper potatoes
• Oil for frying
• Lemon wedges & tartar sauce to serve

Tip: Double bread for extra crunch — dip, coat, repeat.

Pair with: Mushy peas and a pint of lager. Pure seaside nostalgia.

🧀 4. Welsh Rarebit

Ingredients (Serves 2):

• 2 thick slices sourdough
• 150g mature cheddar
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp English mustard
• 1 tbsp stout or ale
• 1 egg yolk

Tools: Grill, saucepan.

Tip: Whisk the cheese mixture until silky before spreading. Grill until bubbly and browned.

Great with: Branston pickle or crispy pancetta.

🍗 5. Chicken Tikka Masala with Rice & Naan

Pub grub embraces modern classics too, and Chicken Tikka Masala is the ultimate crossover star.

Ingredients (Serves 4):

• 500g chicken breast
• 100g yoghurt + tikka paste (for marinade)
• 1 onion, 2 garlic cloves
• 200ml passata
• 100ml cream
• Garam masala, cumin, chilli powder
• Cooked basmati rice + naan to serve

Tip: Marinate chicken overnight for restaurant-level flavour.

🥔 6. Jacket Potato with Cheese and Beans

Ingredients (Serves 2):

• 2 large baking potatoes
• 1 can baked beans
• 100g cheddar cheese
• Butter, salt & pepper

Tools: Oven, microwave (optional), grater.

Why it works: Simple, inexpensive, and an icon of pub menus from Manchester to Margate.

Upgrade it: Add tuna mayo, sour cream, or crispy bacon.

🥗 7. Ploughman’s Lunch

Ingredients (Serves 2):

• 2 thick slices of crusty bread
• 150g cheddar or stilton
• Pickled onions
• Branston pickle
• Apple slices
• Ham or pork pie (optional)
• Lettuce or mixed leaves

Why we love it: Cold, crunchy, cheesy, tangy — this is British simplicity at its finest.

Pair with a pint of bitter and sunshine.

🧅 8. Homemade Onion Rings

Ingredients:

• 2 large onions
• 100g plain flour
• 100ml sparkling water
• 1 egg
• Oil for frying
• Salt

Tip: Chill the batter before frying. Use sparkling water or lager for a light, crisp finish.

Serve with: Garlic mayo or sweet chilli dip.

🧂 9. Chips with Curry Sauce

No mention of pub grub is complete without chips & curry sauce — a northern pub staple.

Ingredients (Serves 2):

• 300g chips
• 1 tbsp curry powder
• 200ml chicken or veg stock
• 1 tsp flour
• 1 tsp oil
• Salt and pepper

Tip: Simmer sauce gently and whisk until smooth and glossy.

Pair with our Sausage Rolls for the ultimate pub night at home.

🍰 10. Sticky Toffee Pudding

Ingredients (Serves 6):

• 200g dates
• 175g flour
• 100g brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 100g butter
• For sauce: 100ml cream + 100g brown sugar + 50g butter

When the sauce hits the warm sponge, everything slows down. It’s pudding perfection.

🛠️ How to Recreate the Pub Feel at Home

• Light candles or dim the lights
• Serve your dishes on wooden boards or rustic plates
• Play a Spotify playlist with British pub ambience
• Pour your drinks in proper pint glasses
• Print a DIY “Pub Grub” menu for fun
• For more inspiration, check out this collection of classic and modern pub grub recipes from Great British Chefs.

💬 You don’t need to leave the house to feel like you’ve gone out.

🙋 FAQs

What is considered classic pub grub?
Traditional British pub food includes bangers and mash, steak pie, fish and chips, scampi, and sticky toffee pudding.

Can I make pub grub at home?
Absolutely! Many pub favourites are easy to recreate using simple ingredients and one or two pans.

What drink goes best with pub grub?
Ale, lager, and stout are traditional, but cider and mocktails work well too — especially with dishes like tikka masala or cheese toasties.

Is pub grub the same as gastropub food?
Not quite. Pub grub is hearty and traditional. Gastropubs offer elevated, often chef-driven versions of these classics.