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Home Fish recipes

Kedgeree – English curried rice and fish

By:Nagi
Published:1 May '23Updated:8 Dec '23
72 Comments
Recipe v Video v Dozer v

Kedgeree – a traditional English dish comprised of curried rice with smoked fish and boiled eggs. Think of it like a British biryani! A fabulous, economical fish and rice recipe that’s easy to make and seriously delicious.

Overhead photo of Kedgeree - English fish and rice

Kedgeree – English smoked fish and rice

Is it totally uncouth to call Kedgeree an “English biryani”?? It’s just how I sometimes think of it and I mean it in the most flattering way. It’s a pretty well established fact that I consider biryani to be one of the great rice dishes on this planet.

In all seriousness though, Kedgeree is a wonderful example of true fusion food. It brings together rice and spices from the Subcontinent with classic English breakfast foods like boiled eggs and smoked fish. The result is a delicious and unique Anglo-Indian whirlwind of flavours and textures.

Traditionally kedgeree was a breakfast dish in Britain but these days it’s served at anytime throughout the day. Straightforward to make, if you’re new to using smoked fish in meals, it’s an excellent way to start!

Flaking fish for Kedgeree - English fish and rice
Smoked haddock or cod is poached then flaked into large chunks then tossed through curried rice.

Bowl of Kedgeree - English fish and rice - served for dinner

Ingredients in Kedgeree

I’m sure there are fancy versions of kedgeree out there but we’re making a traditional version today. The hero ingredient is the smoked fish. Smoked haddock is probably the most traditional choice though cod makes an excellent alternative.

Ingredients in Kedgeree - English fish and rice
  • Smoked haddock (or cod) – Smoked haddock is a preserved fish fillet product sold at grocery stores at the seafood counter, deli or packed in the fridge section. Oh, also fish mongers of course! It offers an especially economical way to use fish in a meal because smoked haddock/cod is firstly much cheaper than most fresh fish, only about $15/kg here in Australia compared to, say, raw snapper fillets which are around $50/kg. Being packed with flavour, a little also goes a long way.

    What exactly is smoked haddock? Smoked haddock is fresh haddock (a northern European cod) that’s been brined (ie. infused with salt) then cold smoked to infuse it with a lovely smokey flavour. When haddock is naturally smoked, it is a pale yellow-brown colour. Commercial produced smoked haddock tends to lack colour so is often dyed an orange colour to make it look more like the “real thing”.

    The fish is poached and then flaked into chunks. We use the flavoured poaching liquid to then cook the rice.

  • Boiled eggs (9 minute eggs using my boiled eggs recipe) – Traditional addition along with smoked fish. Eggs also stretch the fish by adding further protein.

  • Peas – For pops of freshness, colour and introduce some good vegetable matter into our rice dish.

  • Coriander/cilantro – For stirring through and garnish.

Rice and curried butter

The thing that makes Kedgeree special is the spiced butter!

Ingredients in Kedgeree - English fish and rice
  • Rice – Carries the bulk of the dish! Long grain or basmati rice is best for this dish, for nice long-shaped rice grains and the desired fluffy texture. Medium grain and short grain (sushi) rice will work too though the rice is a little sticker, as is the nature of the rice.

    Recipe is not suitable for risotto rice, paella rice, brown rice, wild rice, quinoa or faux rice (cauliflower rice etc).

  • Spices: Curry powder and turmeric – You can really use any curry powder here though traditionally used is an English / Western curry powder (as opposed to authentic Indian or Asian curry powder mix). It’s not spicy (unless you opt for the HOT type!), it’s a mix of warm spices including cumin, coriander, clove and turmeric. I use Clives of India and Keens.

    We add a little extra turmeric to brighten the dish’s colour, otherwise the rice can look a little brown.

  • Curry leaves and cardamom – Additional nods to the Indian heritage of this dish. Curry leaves for fragrance and because it looks attractive, while cardamom for its unique perfume and flavour. However both are optional!

    Curry leaves – A magnificent ingredient used in Indian/Sri Lankan cooking! Fairly widely available these days in grocery stores in Australia (Coles, woolies, Harris farms), leftovers freeze 100% perfectly. Use in Vindaloo, Dal, South Indian eggplant curry and Samosa Pie. Also easy to grow (I have a plant *says the plant-killer, smugly*) (PS. curry plants are indestructible)

  • Butter – For sauteing and rich flavour.

  • Onion and garlic – Usual base flavourings.

  • Chicken stock – Cooking the rice in the chicken stock flavoured with the fish imparts a deliciously savoury taste to the rice that’s a step up the flavour ladder from plain water.

    Why not fish stock? Because mass produced store bought fish stock is not very nice! However if you have fresh fish stock and prefer a more seafood-y tasting biryani, go for it!


How to make Kedgeree

Kedgeree is made by poaching the fish, then cooking the rice in the poaching liquid. The rice is then tossed in a flavourful curried butter before tossing the fish back in and finishing with boiled eggs.

Cooking the smoked fish

Cold smoked fish (other than salmon or other sashimi grade fish) needs to be cooked before eating. For Kedgeree, the fish is gently poached in stock which is then used to cook the rice. Flavour retention to the max!

How to make Kedgeree - English fish and rice
  1. Poach fish 8 minutes – Bring the stock to a boil. Place the fish in then turn the heat down so the liquid is barely rippling. Poach for 8 minutes or until the flesh flakes.

  2. Remove skin – Remove the fish from the poaching liquid and transfer to a plate. Remove and discard the skin – I find a butter knife helpful.

  3. Flake the flesh into large chunks. Keep them large as they will break a little more when tossed through the rice.

  4. Reserve 1/2 cup liquid – Measure out 1/2 cup (125 ml) of the poaching liquid. Set aside – we will drizzle this over the finished dish to moisten the rice.

Cook rice

Fish done. Now we cook the rice in the flavoured poaching liquid and make a cured butter to toss the rice in. You know this is going to be good!

How to make Kedgeree - English fish and rice
  1. Add the rice into the poaching liquid then bring it to a simmer on high heat without the lid.

  2. Cook 13 minutes – Place the lid on then turn the heat down to low. Cook for 13 minutes or until all the liquid has been absorbed. No peeking, no stirring!

  3. Rest and fluff – Remove from the stove with the lid still on and rest for 10 minutes (lid still on!). Then fluff the rice, ready to toss into the curried butter!

  4. Curried butter – While the rice is resting, start the curried butter. Melt the butter in a large skillet or pot (large enough to fit all the rice). Add the cardamom pods and curry leaves and stir for 30 seconds. Sauté the garlic and onion then stir in the spices. Be prepared for amazing smells!

How to make Kedgeree - English fish and rice
  1. Add the rice and toss to coat in the curried butter. Add the reserved stock and toss through – this moistens the rice.

  2. Peas and coriander – Add the thawed peas and most of the coriander (reserve a bit for garnish) and toss through. The heat from the rice is all that’s needed to cook warm through the thawed peas.

  3. Fish – Add the flakes of fish and toss through gently, taking care to ensure there are some nice large chunks.

  4. Stud with eggs – Tops with halved eggs and sprinkle with coriander. Then serve!

Freshly cooked Kedgeree - English fish and rice

To serve, just spoon into bowls and eat as is. There’s no need for sauce – the rice is nice and moist, and there’s certainly no need for extra flavour!

It will keep for a few days in the fridge but it’s best freshly made as rice tends to dry out in the fridge overnight. Reheating is best done in the microwave with a sprinkle of water to make the rice nice and steamy again.

If you try this, tell me if you agree with my description of it as an English biryani!!! 🙂 – Nagi x


Watch how to make it

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Overhead photo of Kedgeree - English fish and rice

Kedgeree – British curried rice and fish

Author: Nagi
Prep: 15 minutes mins
Cook: 30 minutes mins
Main
British, English
4.88 from 16 votes
Servings5
Tap or hover to scale
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Recipe video above. Traditional English smoked fish and rice dish – think of it as an English biryani! Smoked haddock or cod tossed through a butter spiced rice studded with eggs, this is true fusion food at its best.

Ingredients

  • 4 cups/ 1 litre chicken stock/broth , low-sodium
  • 500g/1 lb smoked haddock or cod , skin-on (or other smoked fish, Note 1)
  • 2 1/4 cups long grain rice , uncooked
  • 75g / 5 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 15 curry leaves (Note 2)
  • 6 green cardamom pods , lightly crushed (Note 3)
  • 1 brown onion , diced
  • 2 garlic cloves , finely minced
  • 2 tsp curry powder (anything! Use spicy if you want, I use mild)
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 cup frozen peas , thawed
  • 1/2 cup coriander/cilantro leaves , roughly chopped (sub green onion or parsley)
  • 3 hard boiled eggs , halved or quartered (9 minute cook)

Instructions

  • Poach fish – Bring chicken stock to a boil in a large saucepan or small pot. Place fish in (it should all be just about submerged, Note 4) and adjust heat so the stock is barely rippling. Poach it gently for 8 minutes or until the fish flakes apart. Remove fish onto a large plate.
  • Flake fish – When cool enough to handle, discard skin (gently scrape with a butter knife) and flake fish into large pieces, checking for any bones.
  • Reserve stock – Measure out 1/2 cup of the poaching liquid and set aside for later (drizzle on at end to juice up the rice).
  • Cook rice 13 min – Add rice into the poaching liquid in the saucepan. Bring to a simmer over high heat. Cover with lid then reduce heat to low. Cook for 13 minutes.
  • Rest rice 10 min – Remove the saucepan from the stove with the lid on and rest for 10 minutes. Fluff rice using a rubber spatula.
  • Curried butter – While the rice is resting, melt the butter in a very large (30cm/12") non stick skillet or pot, over medium-high heat. Add the cardamom pods and curry leaves and stir for 30 seconds. Add the onions, garlic and sauté for 5 minutes until browning at the edges, stirring regularly.
  • Toss rice – Lower heat to medium. Stir in the curry powder and turmeric, and then the rice. Toss the rice in the spiced butter until well coated and uniformly yellow. Pour over the reserved 1/2 cup of fish poaching stock, and toss to mix through (it moistens the rice).
  • Peas & fish – Stir through the peas and most of the coriander (hold some back for garnish). Then gently fold through the fish, taking care to keep some pieces in large chunks.
  • Serve – Spoon out rice onto one large platter or individual plates to serve. Top with boiled egg halves, and garnish with the remaining coriander. EAT!

Recipe Notes:

1. Smoked haddock (or cod) – one of the most economical options at the deli of grocery stores (Coles, Woolies) and fish mongers, stained an orange/yellow colour. Technically raw so we need to cook it. By poaching in the liquid we use to cook the rice, we are not wasting a drop of flavour!
2. Curry leaves – Magnificent ingredient frequently used in Indian cooking! Fairly widely available these days in grocery stores in Australia (Coles, woolies, Harris farms), leftovers freeze 100% perfectly! Use in Vindaloo, Dal, South Indian eggplant curry and Samosa Pie. (I have a plant *says the plant-killer, smugly*) (PS curry plants are indestructible)
3. Cardamom pods – Sold at every stores, to lightly crush just use side of knife and press down to break shell slightly to release flavour.
4. Poaching fish – It’s ok if a bit of the surface of the fish is above the liquid as it will steam-cook.
5. Leftovers will keep for 3 days in the fridge. It will freeze without the eggs for 3 months.
Keywords: fish and rice, kedgeree
Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @recipe_tin.

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72 Comments

  1. Lallie says

    December 7, 2023 at 5:56 am

    5 stars
    Hi Nagi

    These are all blockbuster recipes
    As they say”to die for”, 😍😋😋😋😋

    Reply
  2. Meg says

    August 9, 2023 at 4:22 pm

    5 stars
    Naaw, Nagi! You’ve done me a solid 💙💙💙
    I grew up on kedgeree – we were a bit poor, and Mum would replace the fish with a tin of tuna – still it’s such great memory, I shared the recipe with her, and we’ve been inspired to cook it again. I can almost smell it!!!
    You’re the bestest! 😊😊😊

    Reply
  3. IRENE says

    May 19, 2023 at 9:18 pm

    4 stars
    I thought that this sounds like an interesting dish. A little Indian flavour + hard boiled eggs + smoked fish. I used smoked salmon. Turned out good. Not weird. Basmati rice was fluffy. It’s like a fried rice.

    Reply
    • Mrs D says

      September 12, 2023 at 5:06 am

      5 stars
      Lovely comfort food! I’m from the UK but have never tried kedgeree before. I’ll definitely be doing this recipe again it was a huge hit with my daughter who’s in a fussy phase lately.

      Can always rely on Nagi (and I do – several times a week)!

      PS. Hope you’ll be releasing another cookbook in the future, Dinner is just fantastic.

      Reply
  4. Jen says

    May 16, 2023 at 7:04 pm

    5 stars
    A delicious way to revive my interest in a meal I haven’t had for fifty years. Thanks once again, Nagi

    Reply
  5. Kris says

    May 11, 2023 at 9:18 pm

    5 stars
    Loved it!
    Can’t say i agree with curry leaves as garnish tho 😅

    Reply
  6. Boerge Alexander says

    May 9, 2023 at 2:58 pm

    4 stars
    I made the kedgeree this week, but instead of using smoked cod or haddock I cheated and used a pack of cold smoked salmon and just pulled the skin off. less mucking about and tasted really good.

    Reply
  7. Jennifer Anderson says

    May 8, 2023 at 6:11 am

    I made the Kedgeree recipe last night and it was delicious. The rice came out perfect as did the whole recipe. I have your cookbook Nagi and when you send recipes I can’t help myself, I have to make some of them!! Love your recipes. Jennifer

    Reply
  8. J-Mom says

    May 7, 2023 at 10:57 am

    5 stars
    I’ve been hankering for curry flavor but not for regular curry. This combination of curry flavor, rice, boiled eggs and fish, I knew I need to make it. Could not get smoked cod or haddock unfortunately. Even with pricier smoked salmon, TOTALLY worth it! This is scrumptious. Thank you!!!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      May 7, 2023 at 11:26 am

      YES! So glad you enjoyed this J-Mom! N xx

      Reply
  9. Kelly McGee says

    May 7, 2023 at 3:05 am

    5 stars
    I have made Kedgeree before (I searched for a recipe on here first, obviously! And there wasn’t one at the time), but this recipe is 1000 times better than the one I made. I will definitely make this again, and pass the recipe on! 10/10

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      May 7, 2023 at 11:26 am

      WOW! Thanks for the amazing feedback Kelly! N x

      Reply
  10. Nicole says

    May 6, 2023 at 6:32 pm

    Can I use ghee instead of butter?

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      May 7, 2023 at 11:27 am

      You sure can Nicole! N x

      Reply
    • Nicole says

      May 6, 2023 at 8:08 pm

      Also want to make sure – no salt in this dish? Thanks

      Reply
      • Sue R says

        May 18, 2023 at 4:19 pm

        5 stars
        Nicole you don’t need salt as the smoked fish is very salty and there is still some salt in low sodium stock.

        Reply
  11. Henrik Olsen says

    May 5, 2023 at 1:50 am

    Hiya Nagi Im Henrik Im Danish you writes haddock is cod on nordisk European but its not cod we name it kuller, and thank you for the good recipe.
    Best regard Henrik.

    Reply
  12. Lallie says

    May 2, 2023 at 8:55 pm

    5 stars
    Thank you Nagi for always sharing such easy and delicious recipes
    The curried rice and fish is a hit and so are all your recipes.
    Just worried with people being so negative

    Reply
  13. Joeydelips says

    May 2, 2023 at 8:52 pm

    Thank’s Nagi! For a recipe that I have come across in my past eating experiences in English holiday resorts a fair while ago (I’m Irish and have lived in Oz for nearly 50 years) I like it, but have had different degrees of quality in the numerous B&B s In the IOM (Isle of Man for non British people like myself) and Blackpool during my younger wandering years, but will give it another whirl around the oval next time my daughter and Grandies come for lunch, and a possible explanation issue with the 13 & 15 year boys about the orange fish? the rest is a no problem issue! Thanks again!!!

    Reply
  14. Lallie says

    May 2, 2023 at 8:50 pm

    5 stars
    WOW! WOW! ABSOLUTELY YUMMY DELICIOUS AND A MASTER BLEND OF SPICES AND IDEAS. IN ALL YOUR RECIPES FOR OUR COLD DAYS IN CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

    Reply
  15. Val says

    May 2, 2023 at 6:59 pm

    I live in Scotland, and I use smoked salmon in my Kegeree.

    Reply
  16. MILLER - Jane says

    May 2, 2023 at 8:04 am

    Confused 😐 I’m from the UK and lived snd worked in many different towns and villages and I have never heard of this dish
    My grandmother snd great grandmother were “cooks” as they were known then and introduced me to cooking and the love of various dishes …..so I would love to know where and what period wax this known as a traditional English dish

    Reply
    • S says

      May 4, 2023 at 7:03 am

      Like another reader says. It originated from when Britian colonised India in the Victorian era – mid to late 1800’s. Before I was interested in history, I found the dish out accidentally through a BBC cooking programme that was shown 10-15 years ago now. Can’t remember the chef now but he called the dish smoked haddock pilaf. Of course the Hairy Bikers and John Torode (he’s Aus/British in my eyes!) have their own versions too.

      Reply
    • Joe says

      May 2, 2023 at 9:42 pm

      Jane, I’m British and I’ve seen it in a lot of more, let’s say, “traditional” hotels/B&Bs and occasionally restaurants. Bizarrely, my university halls back in the day of all places used to serve it! It was invented back in the Victorian period if I’m not wrong, when it became quite popular in the fashion for Anglo-Indian food (long before the days of tikka masala, but the same era as things like mulligatawny soup and chutney becoming part of the British diet).

      Reply
    • Helen Sawyerr says

      May 2, 2023 at 9:03 pm

      Are you serious?

      Reply
    • Chris Hughes says

      May 2, 2023 at 4:20 pm

      I lived in England between 1946 and 1983 and I definitely remember Kedgeree – although where I ate it is unknown. Certainly not at home as my parents were vegetarian!

      My recollection is that the hard boiled egg was chopped and mixed through rather than left whole as in Nagi’s version.

      I plan to try this as soon as I can round up some like minded friends, as my wife won’t touch eggs or smoked fish!

      Reply
    • Meemo says

      May 2, 2023 at 12:33 pm

      Hi Jane, I’ve never even been to the UK but I came across this dish many times, in various cookbooks (I haven’t made it or tried it yet). It really is well known.

      Reply
      • MILLER - Jane says

        May 2, 2023 at 1:17 pm

        I’m amazed too as you couplet curry powder or tumeric in uK during 50’s & 60’s unless you went to London

        Reply
  17. Jennie says

    May 2, 2023 at 8:04 am

    Nagi, I can’t tell you how happy I am to see this recipe. Will definitely being trying this out on the weekend (after I eat my way through the freezer)

    Reply
  18. Amy Gowland says

    May 2, 2023 at 6:36 am

    Nagi your missing the cream! I always use cream and butter mix curry spice in and pour over rice. Makes so rich and delicious 😋

    Reply
  19. Joe says

    May 2, 2023 at 5:15 am

    Thank you so much for this recipe! Very excited to try it. I was wondering if we’d get (by chance or design) a British recipe this week with the coronation weekend coming up – maybe even coronation chicken! – and this hits the spot! My old uni here in the UK used to make a surprisingly delicious kedgeree and I’ve not had it since as I’ve only ever seen recipes with bad reviews. Always trust a Nagi recipe though, so definitely giving it a whirl.

    Reply
    • S says

      May 4, 2023 at 7:08 am

      Before this recipe came along, I used Nagi’s curried rice as my base for kedgeree (including the veg for health). Added boiled eggs (again Nagi hadn’t posted her guide yet!) and poached defrosted smoked haddock in milk with a dry bay leaf. I haven’t tried this version yet but am interested to compare.

      Reply
  20. Geraldine Murphy says

    May 2, 2023 at 3:43 am

    Will try this recipe looks yummy thank you Nagi.

    Reply
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I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative! Read More

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