Irish breakfast vs English breakfast: What’s the difference?

The Irish and the English take their breakfast seriously, loading it with proteins, carbs, and fats to help them jump-start the morning. They have even fashioned their own traditional versions of the most important meal of the day, resulting in the Irish breakfast vs English breakfast debate.

But in what specific ways are these very similar dishes different? The answer lies in this article, which tackles both countries’ traditional morning meals.

What is an Irish breakfast?

A full Irish breakfast, featuring fried egg, baked beans, crispy bacon, soda bread, grilled tomatoes, and both white and black pudding (Source: iStock)

An Irish breakfast, also known as an Irish fry-up, is a filling meal composed of eggs, bacon, sausages, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, and Irish soda bread. The beverages that typically go with it are Irish breakfast tea and orange juice. But what makes it characteristically Irish compared to other traditional breakfasts is the addition of two types of sausages: white pudding (which contains a type of grain, such as oatmeal) and black pudding (which contains pig or cow blood).

What is an English breakfast?

A hearty English breakfast of fried egg, crispy bacon, savoury sausage, buttered toast, and baked beans (Source: iStock)

In general, the meaning of ‘English breakfast’ can be summed up as follows: It is a morning meal made up of back bacon, sausages, eggs, potatoes, mushrooms, and tomatoes. It also typically comes with fried bread in the form of buttered toast. One integral element of an English breakfast is a serving of baked beans. Most people have it with English breakfast tea, coffee, or both.

English breakfast vs Irish breakfast: How are they different?

In this section, we’ll be exploring a couple of things that show the difference between English and Irish breakfasts:

In terms of origin

What is the origin of the full English breakfast? According to the English Breakfast Society, the Norman Conquest of 1066 paved the way for the creation of the English breakfast; the Anglo-Saxons resisted the creeping cultural influence of the Norman French on the British Isles by upholding their habits and customs, including their traditional morning meal and its contents. Over time, it became a widespread tradition to have the English breakfast served on the estates of the landed gentry and those with noble titles before going hunting.

Meanwhile, the Irish breakfast has a more conflict-free and humble origin—the dining tables of farm workers centuries ago who needed an easy-to-make yet substantial breakfast before performing agricultural labour. They developed the meal after the English introduced it in the 14th century.

In terms of core ingredients

Fresh ingredients for a traditional English breakfast: tomatoes, eggs, beans, onions, and sausages (Source: iStock)

What is in a full English breakfast? Some traditional British breakfast foods are eggs, bacon from the back of a pig, sausages, tomatoes, mushrooms, potatoes, and toast with butter. It also includes baked beans, which is what separates it from other types of breakfasts. Other components you may expect in this meal are bubbles and squeaks, hash browns, and pudding sausages.

But what is in an Irish breakfast? A traditional full Irish breakfast has very similar elements. However, the inclusion of two protein sources—white and black pudding—makes it distinctly Irish.

In terms of cooking method

A typical English breakfast is cooked in a very straightforward way; it involves using a saucepan to fry all the ingredients, from the eggs and mushrooms to the sausages and even the bread. A traditional Irish breakfast may be fried, too, but grilling its components is also a preferred cooking method for many.

In terms of condiments

Ketchup and brown sauce ready for use (Source: iStock)

A full Irish breakfast vs a full English breakfast highlights one type of condiment in particular—the brown sauce. It is a savoury, sweet, and slightly spicy sauce made of malt vinegar, molasses, soy, tomatoes, dates, and tamarind. Meanwhile, an English breakfast typically includes both ketchup and brown sauce. For some people’s taste buds, hot sauce and mustard also perfectly complement the meal.

In terms of bread selection

When it comes to bread type, a full English breakfast would normally feature fried wholemeal or white bread. Meanwhile, enjoyers of Irish breakfast tend to incorporate slices of Irish soda bread into the meal. One popular type of this baked good is Irish brown bread, which is made of white and whole wheat flour and has a slightly sweet flavour.

In terms of tea pairing

Comfortingly hot tea being poured into a cup (Source: iStock)

Tea pairings for these morning meals aren’t really complicated—the Irish breakfast goes with the Irish breakfast tea, while the English breakfast goes with the English breakfast tea. The former has an Assam base, is more robust in terms of flavour, and has a red tinge. The latter, on the other hand, is mostly made of Ceylon tea. Both black teas can be mixed with milk and sugar.

In terms of serving time

As one can deduce from their names, both Irish and English breakfasts are customarily served in the morning. However, it is not uncommon for an authentic English breakfast to be consumed at any time of the day. As playwright Somerset Maugham once said, ‘To eat well in England, you should eat breakfast three times a day.’

In terms of cultural impact 

The Irish breakfast is truly representative of its nation, and it is not just because of its name. It is treated as a comfort food, a hangover cure, and a go-to for Irishmen abroad who are craving something from home. The English breakfast, meanwhile, has become popular not just for the people of England but also for citizens of other countries. It is not surprising to find it as a breakfast offering in hotels, restaurants, and other establishments across the globe.

Enjoy the Irish or English breakfast experience through Airtasker

A man indulging in a freshly cooked English breakfast (Source: iStock)

There’s no need to control your appetite for an English or Irish breakfast any time you’re craving it. Airtasker has service providers that offer food delivery services, whether it’s in the morning or at any other time of the day. Simply post a task with all the relevant details on the website and wait for a Tasker to contact you regarding your Irish or English breakfast order.

You may even use Airtasker to connect with a home chef who can create the perfect fried breakfast based on your taste.