Burns Night is an annual celebration held on 25 January to honour the life and works of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns. Marked by Scots around the world, this special evening is renowned for its lively gatherings, poetry recitals and, most importantly, a hearty feast of traditional Scottish food and drink.
Whether you’re hosting a formal supper or a relaxed get-together with friends and family, Burns Night is the perfect occasion to showcase the best of Scottish cuisine. From the iconic haggis served with neeps and tatties to indulgent desserts like cranachan, these classic recipes will help you create an authentic Burns Night menu to remember.
For more Scottish recipes, check out our Classic Burns Night menu ideas. Don’t be afraid to try these dishes if you follow a meat-free diet. Check out our vegetarian Burns Night menu and vegan Burns Night menu. We also have our Burns Night leftovers recipes so that nothing will go to waste.
Scottish starters & sides
1. Scottish oatcakes
Forget shop-bought and make your oatcakes. Perfect for serving with cheese or your favourite dips, they’re easy to make with just a few simple ingredients.
Try our Scottish oatcakes with your favourite cheese and one of our chutney recipes.
2. Cullen skink
Simmer haddock, potatoes, milk, onion, and parsley to make this comforting soup. Serve with crusty bread for a filling lunch or starter to a Scottish feast. It’s healthy, low in calories and fat, and gluten-free.
Discover more healthy soup recipes.
3. Parsley potato cakes
If you’re looking for a winning side dish alongside your Balmoral chicken or venison stew, look no further than our parsley potato cakes. You would never guess that these herby cakes only contain three ingredients.
Get back to basics with more of our recipes that use only three ingredients.
4. Cock-a-leekie-soup
Make this classic Scottish chicken and leek soup for the perfect winter warmer. Comfort food doesn’t have to mean huge portions with loads of calories. Instead, this soup is high in protein and low in calories and salt. Prunes add a sweet contrast to the rich, savoury broth.
Check out more of our high-protein soup recipes to keep you full longer.
5. Buttered leeks
This simple side dish is one of the best ways to enjoy leeks. Cook them low and slow with butter and thyme leaves to allow the leeks to cook in their juices, making them perfectly buttery, sweet and soft. These make a great side to any roast, especially our classic roast chicken & gravy.
Make the most of this humble vegetable with more of our leek recipes.
6. Haggis potato cakes
For a Scottish-inspired breakfast option or starter, these haggis potato cakes are an exciting way to have haggis. Top these crispy cakes with a runny poached egg and garnish with spring onions.
Kick off your dinner party in style with our dinner party starter recipes.
7. Neeps & tatties soup
This warming soup tastes like Burns Night in a bowl! Using milk and double cream gives the soup its beautifully thick and silky texture. Blend with swede, carrots, celery and potatoes for four of your five-a-day.
Scottish mains
8. Scottish stovies
Our version of Scottish stovies is a great way to ensure you don’t waste meat from roast dinners. Any leftovers can be added to your pot with swede, carrot, celery, potatoes, and stock before being left to simmer for an hour and a half.
Discover how to make the most of your leftovers with our leftover chicken recipes, leftover ham recipes and leftover beef recipes.
9. Haggis, neeps & tatties
Enjoy a traditional Scottish meal of haggis, neeps and tatties – it’s perfect for any Burns Night dinner or simply when you fancy something comforting.
Find out how to cook haggis, then discover more comfort food recipes for warming yourself on a chilly day.
10. Venison stew
Venison benefits from long, slow cooking, and this Scottish dish develops a beautifully earthy sweetness. It’s a great roast dinner option for large gatherings like Christmas or Hogmanay, as it can serve eight people, but this recipe can also be easily doubled.
Discover more stew recipes perfect for the winter with our winter stew recipes.
11. Balmoral chicken
If you have any leftover haggis after Burns Night or Hogmanay, try using it in this Balmoral chicken recipe. Wrap your chicken in bacon and stuff it with your haggis to produce a decadent main with a crispy exterior from the bacon and a juicy interior.
Find more chicken dinner party recipes perfect for entertaining.
12. Mince & tatties
Enjoy our take on this famous Scottish dinner of stewed mince and mashed potato. It’s incredible comfort food on colder days, and the mince can be made in the slow cooker.
Take the stress out of cooking with our slow cooker recipes.
Scottish desserts
13. Scottish tablet
A great present for family and friends, Scottish tablet is similar to fudge but has a more crumbly texture. Made using butter, sugar, and condensed milk, this treat can be ready in half an hour and is vegetarian and gluten-free.
Make someone feel special with our edible gift recipes.
14. Scottish shortbread
Elevate your morning tea break with these buttery Scottish shortbreads. With just four ingredients you’re bound to have in your cupboard, you can make 16 biscuits, making this an affordable option.
Warm up from the inside out with one of our homemade tea recipes.
15. Dundee cake
Dundee cake originates from the area of Dundee, where the marmalade-makers Keillers used their surplus orange peel in the cakes. Nowadays, it is often packed full of cherries, almonds, and sultanas and topped with a sweet glaze.
Discover more fruitcake recipes to enjoy as an afternoon pick-me-up.
16. Raspberry cranachan trifle
Combine two popular desserts, cranachan and trifle, to make this twist on the Scottish classic. Pile your trifle bowl high with whisky cream, raspberries and a crumbly oat topping.
Find a trifle recipe that’s perfect for any season.
17. Clootie dumpling
End your Burns Night in traditional style with this comforting dessert. A clootie dumpling is a Scottish steamed pudding made with dried fruit and spices. Warm yourself by enjoying this covered in hot custard and a drink of whisky or, if you prefer, a side of ice cream to contrast.
Discover more comforting steamed pudding recipes.
18. Baked raspberry & bramble trifle with Drambuie
This rich Scottish pudding is based loosely on the traditional trifle but has a surprise creamy layer of baked custard.
Do you want to know whether it’s worth making your own custard? Read our article on DIY custard – to make or to buy?
19. Selkirk Bannock
This Scottish classic, Selkirk Bannock, is best served warm with plenty of butter. However, don’t worry if you have leftovers; they can be repurposed as toast for breakfast or even made into a bread and butter pudding.
Don’t throw out your old loaves; make one of our bread & butter pudding recipes.
20. Cranachan
Why not serve our traditional individual cranachan pots for a simple summery dessert at the end of a dinner party? Flavoured with honey and whiskey, they’re a sophisticated end to your party that only takes twenty minutes to assemble.
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