Appetizer: United Kingdom – Beef Scotch Eggs

Food safety reminder: Follow safe food-handling practices and use a food thermometer to verify safe internal cooking temperatures.

Serving Size: 4

Approximate Time

Prep 15 min

Cook 15 min

Additional 10 min

Total 35 min

Ingredients

4 eggs
1 lb (450 g) ground beef
1 / 2 cup (60 g) breadcrumbs, plus extra for coating
2 tbsp (30 ml) milk
1 egg, beaten (for coating)
1 small onion, finely chopped (optional)
Salt and black pepper to taste
Vegetable oil for frying (or use oven at 400°F / 200°C)

Instructions

1. Hard-boil the 4 eggs (7–8 minutes), cool in ice water and peel.  
2. Mix ground beef with 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, milk, chopped onion (if using), salt and pepper until combined.  
3. Divide meat into 4 portions, flatten each into a patty, wrap around each peeled egg to fully enclose.  
4. Roll each wrapped egg in beaten egg, then in breadcrumbs. Fry in hot oil until browned and cooked through (or bake on a tray 25–30 minutes until golden).  
5. Drain briefly and serve sliced or whole.