Traditional Sunday Roast Recipe: How to Cook the Perfect British Roast Dinner in 2025
Traditional Sunday Roast Recipe: How to Cook the Perfect British Roast Dinner
Few meals define British culture more than the Sunday Roast. More than a dish, it’s a weekly tradition steeped in warmth, nostalgia, and culinary pride. Whether it’s beef, lamb, pork or chicken, the roast dinner is the centrepiece of many family tables across the UK every Sunday.
Elevated by chefs like Gary Rhodes, who brought refinement to classic British cuisine, the Sunday Roast can be both rustic and elegant — and here, we’ll show you how to create a version worthy of both tradition and taste.
🥩 What Makes a Sunday Roast So Special?
A typical Sunday Roast consists of roasted meat, crispy roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables, Yorkshire puddings, and rich gravy. Depending on the meat, accompaniments like mint sauce (for lamb), horseradish (for beef) or apple sauce (for pork) are also included.
This dish is a celebration of comfort and community — a chance to gather and enjoy slow-cooked food, lovingly prepared. Even today, despite busy modern lives, many still honour the tradition every week.
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4)
For the roast:
- 1.2kg beef sirloin or leg of lamb
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- Salt & black pepper
- 2 garlic cloves (optional)
- Fresh thyme or rosemary
For the roast vegetables:
- 4 large potatoes, peeled and halved
- 2 carrots
- 1 parsnip or swede
- Tenderstem broccoli or Brussels sprouts
For the gravy:
- Meat juices from the roasting tray
- 1 tbsp plain flour
- 200ml beef stock
- Optional: a splash of red wine
Optional – Yorkshire Puddings:
- 140g plain flour
- 4 eggs
- 200ml whole milk
- Sunflower oil
👨🍳 Method
Step 1: Prepare and roast the meat
- Preheat your oven to 220°C (200°C fan).
- Rub the meat with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic and herbs.
- Sear it in a hot pan for 5 mins to develop a crust.
- Transfer to a roasting tray and cook for 20 mins per 500g for medium doneness.
- Rest for at least 15 mins after roasting to keep the juices locked in.
Step 2: Roast the vegetables
- Parboil the potatoes for 5 mins, then drain and shake them in the pan to roughen the edges.
- Toss all vegetables with oil, salt, and herbs.
- Roast alongside the meat for the final 40 mins, or until golden and crisp.
Step 3: Make the gravy
- After removing the meat, place the roasting tray on the hob.
- Stir in the flour and scrape the tray to release flavour.
- Slowly add the stock (and wine, if using), whisking until thickened.
Step 4: Optional Yorkshire Puddings
- Mix the flour, eggs, and milk into a batter and let it rest for 30 mins.
- Pour into hot oiled muffin tins and bake at 220°C for 20 mins — don’t open the oven door!
🧠 Expert Tips
- Choose meat with some fat or bone for flavourful, juicy results.
- Always let the roast rest after cooking — it makes slicing easier and retains moisture.
- For perfect spuds, roughen their edges after parboiling to maximise crispiness.
- Add a touch of mustard powder to your Yorkshire pudding batter for extra depth.
Want to pair your Sunday Roast with a traditional British dessert? Try our classic puddings article here — it’s the perfect sweet finish.
📚 Link to culinary heritage
The Sunday Roast has roots dating back to medieval times, evolving through centuries of tradition. You can learn more about its historical and cultural background in this article by Wikipedia, which explores how it became a national institution.
❤️ Final Thoughts
The Sunday Roast is more than a meal — it’s an expression of home, history, and hospitality. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or mastering it for the first time, following these steps will bring the essence of British Sunday dining into your kitchen.
With just a bit of care and attention, and a recipe grounded in tradition, your roast can rival even the finest served in London’s historic eateries — or perhaps even one Gary Rhodes would be proud of.
