Lucy M. Start your day right with this kedgeree recipe Mary Berry has perfected, offering a nutritious breakfast packed with protein from smoked fish and eggs. This traditional British dish provides sustained energy through complex carbohydrates while delivering omega-3 fatty acids essential for heart and brain health.
The kedgeree recipe Mary Berry shares is remarkably efficient, coming together in 30 minutes yet looking and tasting like something from a high-end brunch restaurant. The combination of ingredients creates a complete, balanced meal in one bowl, eliminating the need for multiple side dishes.
Perfect for meal prep or entertaining, this versatile recipe works equally well served immediately or made ahead and reheated. Mary Berry’s trusted approach ensures even novice cooks can create an impressive, restaurant-quality dish that proves healthy eating can be both delicious and elegant.
Why You’ll Love this Kedgeree
Once you dig into this golden kedgeree, you’ll understand why it’s stuck around for centuries—it’s the kind of dish that breaks down the walls between breakfast, lunch, and dinner without apologizing for it. I find myself drawn to how it transforms humble ingredients into something genuinely comforting.
The turmeric-kissed rice, smoky haddock, and creamy sauce create this perfect balance that feels both elegant and totally unpretentious. Plus, those hard-boiled eggs tucked throughout add pockets of richness.
What’s not to love about a one-pan wonder that tastes like someone actually cares? It’s substantial enough for dinner yet light enough for brunch. This dish delivers warmth, flavor, and that deeply satisfying feeling of being properly fed.
After enjoying this kedgeree recipe Mary Berry perfected for breakfast or brunch, try these spicy chicken wings for a casual dinner or party appetizer.
What Ingredients are in Kedgeree?
Kedgeree is a beautifully balanced dish that relies on a carefully chosen selection of ingredients to create its distinctive flavor profile. Each component plays an essential role—from the aromatic spice that gives the dish its golden hue to the protein and eggs that make it substantial. The combination of these elements, when brought together thoughtfully, transforms into a dish that’s far greater than the sum of its parts.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- ¼ tsp turmeric
- 12 oz (350g) smoked haddock fillet
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, peeled
- 4 tbsp butter, plus extra for greasing
- Juice of ½ lemon
- ⅔ cup half-and-half
- Salt, to taste
- Cayenne pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp finely chopped parsley
When preparing kedgeree, choosing quality ingredients makes all the difference to the final dish. Fresh, high-quality smoked haddock is essential since it forms the heart of this recipe, though smoked salmon or other smoked white fish work wonderfully as alternatives.
Fresh turmeric delivers vibrant color and robust flavor that older spices simply can’t match. For easier assembly, hard-boil your eggs in advance, and don’t skimp on the butter and half-and-half, as these create the rich, creamy sauce that brings everything together and coats each grain of rice perfectly.
How to Make this Kedgeree
- Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (180°C). In a large pot, simmer 1 cup of long-grain rice with ¼ teaspoon of turmeric in boiling salted water, keeping it covered for 12–15 minutes until the rice is tender.
- Once cooked, rinse the rice with hot water, drain thoroughly, and set it aside to keep warm. While the rice cooks, place the 12 oz (350g) smoked haddock fillet skin-side down in a frying pan, cover it with cold water, and poach gently for 8–10 minutes until the fish is cooked through.
- Once the haddock has finished poaching, carefully drain it and remove the skin and bones, then flake the fish into bite-sized pieces. Prepare your eggs by cutting one of the 2 hard-boiled eggs lengthwise into quarters and setting these aside for garnish, then coarsely chop the remaining egg.
- In a large bowl, combine the flaked fish, cooked rice, chopped egg, 4 tablespoons of butter, juice of ½ lemon, and ⅔ cup of half-and-half. Season the mixture generously with salt and cayenne pepper to taste, and stir gently to integrate all ingredients without disrupting the delicate fish.
- Transfer the mixture to a buttered ovenproof dish and bake for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally to warrant even heating and prevent sticking.
- When the kedgeree is heated through and golden, remove it from the oven and stir in 2 tablespoons of finely chopped fresh parsley for brightness and color.
- Serve immediately, garnishing each portion with the reserved egg quarters for an elegant presentation.
kedgeree recipe mary berry
Ingredients
Method
- Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (180°C). In a large pot, simmer 1 cup of long-grain rice with ¼ teaspoon of turmeric in boiling salted water, keeping it covered for 12–15 minutes until the rice is tender.
- Once cooked, rinse the rice with hot water, drain thoroughly, and set it aside to keep warm. While the rice cooks, place the 12 oz (350g) smoked haddock fillet skin-side down in a frying pan, cover it with cold water, and poach gently for 8–10 minutes until the fish is cooked through.
- Once the haddock has finished poaching, carefully drain it and remove the skin and bones, then flake the fish into bite-sized pieces. Prepare your eggs by cutting one of the 2 hard-boiled eggs lengthwise into quarters and setting these aside for garnish, then coarsely chop the remaining egg.
- In a large bowl, combine the flaked fish, cooked rice, chopped egg, 4 tablespoons of butter, juice of ½ lemon, and ⅔ cup of half-and-half. Season the mixture generously with salt and cayenne pepper to taste, and stir gently to integrate all ingredients without disrupting the delicate fish.
- Transfer the mixture to a buttered ovenproof dish and bake for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally to warrant even heating and prevent sticking.
- When the kedgeree is heated through and golden, remove it from the oven and stir in 2 tablespoons of finely chopped fresh parsley for brightness and color.
- Serve immediately, garnishing each portion with the reserved egg quarters for an elegant presentation.
Notes
Health Benefits of Kedgeree Recipe Mary Berry
This kedgeree recipe Mary Berry has perfected delivers exceptional nutritional value in one satisfying dish. The smoked haddock provides lean, high-quality protein essential for muscle maintenance while supplying omega-3 fatty acids that support heart health, reduce inflammation, and promote brain function. Fish is also rich in vitamin D for bone strength and immune support, plus vitamin B12 for energy production and nervous system health. The hard-boiled eggs contribute additional protein containing all nine essential amino acids. Eggs provide choline for brain health and memory, vitamins A, D, and E as antioxidants, plus lutein and zeaxanthin that support eye health and may reduce age-related vision problems. Basmati rice offers complex carbohydrates that release energy slowly, maintaining stable blood sugar levels throughout the day. With a lower glycemic index than white rice, it provides sustained energy along with B vitamins supporting metabolism. The curry powder and turmeric in this kedgeree recipe Mary Berry uses contain curcumin, offering powerful anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce chronic inflammation and support joint health. These warming spices also aid digestion and boost metabolism. Together, these ingredients create a perfectly balanced meal combining protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates for optimal nutrition and sustained energy.Health Benefits of Kedgeree Recipe Mary Berry
This kedgeree recipe Mary Berry has perfected delivers exceptional nutritional value in one satisfying dish. The smoked haddock provides lean, high-quality protein essential for muscle maintenance while supplying omega-3 fatty acids that support heart health, reduce inflammation, and promote brain function. Fish is also rich in vitamin D for bone strength and immune support, plus vitamin B12 for energy production and nervous system health.
The hard-boiled eggs contribute additional protein containing all nine essential amino acids. Eggs provide choline for brain health and memory, vitamins A, D, and E as antioxidants, plus lutein and zeaxanthin that support eye health and may reduce age-related vision problems.
Basmati rice offers complex carbohydrates that release energy slowly, maintaining stable blood sugar levels throughout the day. With a lower glycemic index than white rice, it provides sustained energy along with B vitamins supporting metabolism.
The curry powder and turmeric in this kedgeree recipe Mary Berry uses contain curcumin, offering powerful anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce chronic inflammation and support joint health. These warming spices also aid digestion and boost metabolism. Together, these ingredients create a perfectly balanced meal combining protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates for optimal nutrition and sustained energy.
Kedgeree Substitutions and Variations
Kedgeree welcomes numerous substitutions while maintaining its comforting appeal. Replace smoked haddock with smoked cod, smoked salmon, or fresh white fish like cod or halibut. Swap basmati rice with jasmine, brown rice for added fiber, or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option. Instead of curry powder, use garam masala, turmeric with cumin, or mild curry paste for different spice profiles. Add peas, spinach, or cherry tomatoes for extra vegetables. For variations, include cream for richness, fresh herbs like cilantro or dill, or top with crispy fried onions. Finish with lemon wedges for brightness.
What to Serve with Kedgeree
How do you know when you’ve found the perfect side dish? I’d say it’s when your plate feels balanced, not boring. With kedgeree’s rich, buttery rice and smoky fish, I’d reach for something bright and fresh to cut through all that richness. A crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette works wonders, or maybe some steamed asparagus dressed simply with lemon. Warm naan or crusty bread? Absolutely—you’ll want something to soak up every golden grain. Fresh mango chutney adds that sweet-spicy kick that makes everything sing together. Pickled onions bring a sharp punch too. The goal here’s creating contrast, letting each component shine without overwhelming your palate.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a dish that feels fancy without demanding you spend all afternoon in the kitchen, kedgeree’s your answer. This golden rice dish brings together smoky fish, creamy eggs, and warm spices in a way that somehow feels both comforting and elegant. I’d say it’s the kind of meal that makes you wonder why you don’t cook it more often, honestly. You’re getting restaurant-quality results with minimal fuss, which is basically the dream scenario for home cooks. Whether you’re feeding yourself on a Tuesday night or impressing guests at brunch, kedgeree delivers. The beauty lies in its simplicity—just quality ingredients working together harmoniously. Once you master this recipe, you’ll find yourself reaching for it again and again.
