Traditional English Recipes for St George’s Day – A collection of Traditional English Recipes for St George’s Day, with some much-loved favourites
Some Old and Much-Loved English Recipes
Thursday the 23rd April, this year, 2026, is St George’s Day – the patron saint of England, and the least observed Saint’s day in the United Kingdom, and I think that’s a shame.
You don’t have to be English to enjoy these recipes I am sharing today, as I’m sure we’ve all embraced a pint of Guinness on St Paddy’s Day, a wee dram on St Andrew’s Day as well as several Welsh Cakes on St David’s Day.
For those of you are interested in the history of St George, and the dragon, English Heritage have posted a fascinating podcast below.
The 23rd April is also Shakespeare’s birthday too, although the exact date isn’t known, the 23rd April was chosen, as his baptism was recorded in the Parish Register at Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon on Wednesday 26 April 1564.
According to the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust website, “Baptisms typically took place within three days of a new arrival, and parents were instructed by the Prayer Book to ensure that their children were baptised no later than the first Sunday after birth.”
“This means that it’s unlikely that Shakespeare was born any earlier than the previous Sunday, 23 April. Given that three days would be a reasonable interval between birth and baptism, the 23rd April has therefore come to be celebrated as his birthday.“
But, back to my collection of English recipes today; you will find sweet and savoury recipes below, from classic pies, cakes and stews to scones and trifles.
I hope they will provide you with some St George’s Day cooking or baking inspiration. I’ve added some recipes which use lovely spring seasonal ingredients too, such as asparagus, Jersey Royal new potatoes, wild garlic and rhubarb. Enjoy choosing them, and Happy St George’s Day! Karen
Savoury English Recipes
Salads
- Elizabethan English Herb and Flower Salad with Honey Dressing
- English Garden Salad with Cheese and Eggs
- English Apple and Walnut Salad
Plate Pies
Small Pies & Pasties
- Coronation Pork & Pickle Picnic Pies
- Lincolnshire Sausage, Sage & Onion Pies
- Cheese, Onion and Potato Pasties
Stews and Casseroles
- Traditional Oxtail Stew
- Farmhouse Chicken & Vegetable Stew with Dumplings
- Sausage and Apple Casserole in Cider
English Beef Recipes
- Mini Beef Wellingtons with Boozy Berry Sauce
- Peppered Steak and Chips for St George’s Day
- Suffolk Gold Double Cheese Burger
English Cheese Recipes
- Asparagus, Wild Garlic and Prosciutto Cheese Flan
- Wild Garlic & Three Cheese Tomato Tart
- Sourdough Cheese & Wild Garlic Scones
Sweet English Recipes
Scones
Tea Loaves
Fruit Cakes
Victoria Sandwich & Sponge Cakes
Fairy Cakes, Buns & Small Cakes
Fruit Pies & Tarts
- Old-Fashioned Lemon Meringue Pie
- Mum’s Bilberry Plate Pie and Clotted Cream
- Northumberland Gooseberry Plate Pie
English Puddings
Biscuits
Chocolate Recipes
- 1960’s Evaporated Milk Chocolate Cake
- Fry’s Condensed Milk Chocolate Cake
- The Queen’s Chocolate Biscuit Cake
English Bread Recipes
- Overnight Farmhouse Wholemeal Bread Loaf
- Traditional Mothering Buns
- Farmhouse “Split Tin” Crusty Loaf
Classic British recipes which are in danger of extinction
I was shocked to read a list recently, online, of what I would call traditional and classic British recipes that are at risk of becoming extinct over the next few years.
Included in the list, shockingly, were Victoria sponge cake, rock cakes, scones and jam tarts. Read more here: 20 Traditional British Recipes at Risk
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