Traditional Scottish Recipes for a Burns Night Menu (and All About Burns Night) (2024)
Burns Night is a special time for Scots. It consists of certain traditional Scottish recipes, and I’ve done all the work for you and put most Burns Night recipes here in one place. You can also learn all you need to know about a Burns Night supper!
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What is Burns Night? What is a Burns Supper?
Have you ever heard of Scotland’s National Poet: Robert Burns, also known as Rabbie Burns? He is the reason for the celebration of Burns Night on January 25th (his birthday). It’s an evening of celebration in honor of this famous Scottish writer and poet which includes the piping in of the haggis, poetry readings, whisky drinking and a Scottish supper (dinner).
The piping in of the haggis is a central part of the evening where a piper leads the haggis into the dining room from the kitchen, to begin the recitation of “Address to a Haggis”, by Robert Burns. A Scot usually “addresses the haggis” and then plunges a knife into the haggis during the recital of the famous poem.
What is Haggis?
All this talk about haggis won’t mean anything to you if you’ve never heard of it before. Haggis is not for the faint of heart (no pun intended) as it contains sheep’s heart, liver and lungs IN THE UK. It’s typically prepared and then put into a sheep’s stomach, which gives it its unappealing look. However, if you’re brave enough to give it a try, I bet you’ll find (like many others have) that it’s delicious!
In the US, you’ll have to go with a tinned version like this, because the real deal contains sheep’s lung which is banned in the States (since 1971). Don’t get me started on this because banning a natural product makes no sense to me when so many ingredients ARE allowed which are banned outside of the US!
Before the meal begins, Selkirk Grace (which Burns either wrote or is attributed to him) is recited:
Some hae meat, and cannae eat, And some wad eat that want it, but we hae meat and we can eat, And sae the Lord be thankit.
My unprofessional translation:
Some have meat and cannot eat, And some would eat that want it, but we have meat and we can eat So let us thank the Lord.
What Happens After Grace?
The starter is served, then the haggis is carried in on a tray following a piper who “pipes in the haggis”. The host recites Address to a Haggis, which includes cutting into the haggis with a theatrical air, and everyone gives a toast to the haggis. The main meal is then served, followed by dessert which you can read about below.
What do you eat on Burns Night?
Typically, Cullen skink (smoked haddock chowder) or co*ck-a-leekie (chicken, leek and rice) soup is served to start the meal. This is followed by haggis, neeps and tatties or roast beef. The dessert is most likely to be cranachan, a raspberry, oat, cream and whisky concoction, or typsy laird, a boozy Scottish trifle. The meal may end with a cheese course, naturally, serving Scottish cheese. (Recipe links are below.)
There are other traditional parts of the evening, including a toast to the lassies and more, but at the end of the night, the event closes with everyone singing Auld Lang Syne. The cup below is called a quaich, a traditional Scottish cup used to signify love, friendship and trust.
Here’s a fun idea from reader MJ ~ Fun tip: Have a Scotch whisky tasting and make attendees read aloud Burn’s poems. Hilarity will ensue!
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Our traditional cullen skink recipe (a Scottish fish-based soup) is a great way to kick things off. You simply can't celebrate Burns Night without the classic haggis, 'neeps and tatties', aka mashed potatoes and swede. A rich whisky sauce is an ideal accompaniment to this flavourful dish too.
A traditional Burns Supper starts with soup, often a Scotch broth.The haggis is then served with turnips and potatoes – known as neeps and tatties if you're a true Scot. The haggis, typically carried on a silver salver, is also piped in by the diners with a standing slow clap.
Burns suppers may be formal or informal. Both typically include haggis (a traditional Scottish dish celebrated by Burns in Address to a Haggis), Scotch whisky and the recitation of Burns's poetry. Formal dinners are hosted by organisations such as universities, sporting clubs, Burns Clubs, the Freemasons or St.
Traditional vegetarian side dishes for a Burns Night menu include neeps (mashed turnips or swede) and tatties (mashed potatoes). Other common accompaniments are vegetarian gravy, roasted vegetables, bashed neeps, and vegan-friendly sauces such as whisky cream sauce or mustard sauce.
Whisky and Bitters is a classic combo – essentially an Old Fashioned without the orange, all you need is scotch, sugar and bitters. This simple drink is made for sharing – and impressing. Simple, sophisticated and seriously easy to make. The perfect Burns Night co*cktail for when your supper's coming to a close.
Everyone enjoys a hearty Burns Night meal (which includes haggis, neeps and tatties, rounded off with drams of whisky), some of Burns' poems and songs are recited and tributes are made to the great Bard.
Burns Night is a time to enjoy Scottish traditions and celebrate the renowned poet Robert Burns with a classic combination of haggis, neeps, tatties, some reciting of poetry, and maybe even a warming dram.
Heart and lungs will provide some iron, zinc and selenium and the oats included in haggis will contribute to fibre intake. It's important not to over indulge in haggis as it tends to be high in fat and saturated fat as well as high in salt, so be mindful of the portion size.
The Selkirk Grace is a prayer, traditionally said to toast a Scottish dinner or meal, especially at social gatherings attributed to Scottish poet, Robert Burns.
noun. hag·gis ˈha-gəs. : a traditionally Scottish dish that consists of the heart, liver, and lungs of a sheep or a calf minced with suet, onions, oatmeal, and seasonings and boiled in the stomach of the animal.
Good sources of protein are beef, chicken, pork, eggs, beans, nuts, milk, yogurt, and cheese. Slice fruits and vegetables for an easy snack on the go. They provide many key nutrients for healing and overall health. Change the flavors of the foods you eat to keep them tasty and fun.
After a burn injury, it is important to eat a balanced diet that includes a lot of protein, in addition to other foods such as fruits, vegetables, and grains. Your child should eat high-protein foods at every meal and as snacks. Examples of high-protein foods include: Lean meat.
Scotland celebrates her national poet, Robert Burns and his poetry in many different ways. While Burns Night can be held with slight variations, the night usually involves eating some haggis, reading or singing some of Burns' poetry, laughing and dancing.
Introduction: My name is Jonah Leffler, I am a determined, faithful, outstanding, inexpensive, cheerful, determined, smiling person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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