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Yorkshire Pudding Recipe

Traditional Yorkshire pudding is a savory “pudding” made with pan drippings for Sunday roasts and for special occasion meals like Prime Rib dinner during the holidays!  Crispy popped edges with a soft, flavorful moist center!

These are a tradition of all Restaurant’s that serve Prime Rib! You can serve it along side our Grilled Prime Rib or even just a simple grilled steak! They will go fast!

Close up of center of Yorkshire pudding popover

When I make an elegant dinner roast, or Sunday Dinner Roast like my prime rib recipe I also make alongside a Yorkshire pudding recipe that makes the occasion seem extra special.

It’s a seasoned perfectly with spices and the drippings of the roast I’ve cooked made into individual bread buddings to serve on top of the beef roast (or Turkey) for that matter. Any meat you have pan juices from will make a delicious savory side dish.

I’ve tried so many recipes from Yorkshire pudding by Gordon Ramsay to Jamie Oliver’s recipe for them.  This easy Yorkshire pudding recipe is a mix of about 4 of them I’ve tried.  I like the light texture of the ones made with this recipe.  A golden brown exterior seasoned with any herbs and spices that I had put on the roasted meat.

What is Yorkshire pudding?

Yorkshire pudding is an English popover made from eggs, flour and pan drippings most often with a roast beef dish.  It’s savory with crispy edges but has a moist flavorful center that is often seasoned with the herbs you have seasoned your meat dish with.

They are a type of popover that is made with an egg, milk (or cream) and flour batter with seasonings.  They can be made in individual muffin tins or in large rectangular shaped pans.  They are baked at a high temp where the edges get crispy and flaky and rise up and pop up super tall and the center remains moist and a savory meat au jus flavored center.

Most fancy restaurants such as Lawry’s the Prime Rib and Simpsons in London always serve it with prime rib.  Once you’ve had a fresh one you will be wanting them with any meal that has gravy or pan juices!

 

Where did the name Yorkshire pudding come from?

Originally Yorkshire pudding was referred to as a “dripping pudding.”  *see reference below.

The first time the word Yorkshire was referred to as Yorkshire pudding was in a publication in 1747 by Hannah Glasse.  She referred to them as Yorkshire puddings to differentiate from the style of puddings from other areas at the time.

While today puddings generally mean sweet treats, in the earlier times they were moist savory breads made at a time when meat was very expensive and the savory bread pudding was served as a way to use every single part of the meat purchased.

They were made in the ovens underneath the rack of the roast and the “drippings” would fall as the egg/bread batter was baking giving it wonderful full flavors.  They would then be served as an appetizer to stretch the meat flavor over the entire meal.


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How to make Yorkshire pudding?

What is in Yorkshire pudding?

  • Eggs
  • Flour
  • Pan Drippings
  • Half & Half
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Fresh herbs

Step by Step Instructions for the savory popover

  1. Stir together all of the ingredients.  You want to mix everything well so it’s very well combined for the best “pop”
    batter for Yorkshire pudding in a bowl
  2. Rest the batter for at least 30 minutes to let the flour “set”.
  3. Take the pan drippings from the bottom of the roasting pan from any meat roasted.
  4. Using a muffin tin (aka Yorkshire pudding pan) add a tablespoon to the bottom of each tin.
    measuring out Yorkshire pudding batter for baking
  5. Heat the muffin tin with the oil in the bottom until just before it smokes (super hot)
  6. Spoon the batter in and fill the tin to 1/2 – 2/3 full.
    piping hot pan with pan drippings and batter ready to go into the oven
  7. Bake for 13 – 15 minutes until the pudding “pops” as much as it can.
  8. Serve immediately.
    pan of hot fresh Yorkshire puddings

Tips for the Best Yorkshire pudding:

Let the batter rest for at least 30 mins after making.  This allows the flour to fully incorporate into the liquid.

It is very important you heat the pan with the oil to HOT before adding the batter.  This allows the edges to start cooking immediately and the edges will get crispy and you won’t end up with a soggy, mushy pudding.

The best way to make a Yorkshire pudding is to use pan drippings from the roasting pan.  As the meat cooks, the fat is rendered from the beef, (or any meat) and is very very flavorful.  It adds a smoky depth of flavor to your pudding.

Common Questions about Yorkshire pudding Recipes:

What is the difference between a Yorkshire pudding and a popover?  Yorkshire pudding is a type of popover.  But if you make it in a muffin tin, (aka Yorkshire pudding tray) it will be a little shorter with less crispy area.  A popover pan is smaller at the bottom and tends to be taller.

How can I serve my Yorkshire pudding?  If you make them individually you can serve them right out of the pan onto your roast beef, turkey, roast pork loin and drizzle au jus or gravy over the top.

Can you freeze the batter or the leftovers?  I don’t recommend either of those things.  The batter mixes up so quickly there is no need to worry about the time.  The leftovers will keep a day or two, but freezing them they won’t have the same texture when you pull them out and will be a soggy mess.

(On that note I can say we’ve never had any leftovers unless we’ve made a triple batch with the intention to have them with leftover hash jumble the next day!)

What can I use to make Yorkshire pudding if I don’t have enough drippings leftover?  Not to worry, you can use any oil that has a high smoking point like a vegetable oil to make them.  If you have any brown bits in the pan scrape them up and put them in the oil for additional flavor!

Can I substitute milk or cream in place of half & half?  You can use whole milk and it will rise and still be the right texture.  I’ve tried substituting heavy cream and they don’t rise or have a nice crispy edge texture so I don’t recommend using cream for any Yorkshire puddings.

More Sides to pair with Puddings like this

  • Creamed Spinach – a Lawrys copycat recipe just like they have with their popovers!
  • Creamed Corn – a traditional favorite with all Puddings
  • Garlic Sugar Snap Peas are a fresh crunchy side dish that gives a different texture for a vegetable!

More Meals to serve Yorkshire Style Popovers with

Bowl full of fresh Yorkshire puddings

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** historical information comes from Historic UK.  See their website here for more interesting information!

Yield: 12 (1 pudding)

Traditional Yorkshire Pudding Recipe

pan of hot fresh Yorkshire puddings

Traditional Yorkshire pudding is a savory "pudding" made with pan drippings for Sunday roasts and for special occasion meals like Prime Rib dinner during the holidays!  Crispy popped edges with a soft, flavorful pudding center! 

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 5 large Eggs
  • 1 cup Half & Half
  • 1 cup Flour, all-purpose
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh herbs, (I use tarragon) basil, oregano, chives will work
  • 12 tablespoons pan drippings, (see notes for options)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper (to taste)

Instructions

  1. See notes for timing.  
  2. Using a whisk in a bowl, blend the eggs until nice and frothy.  Add half and half and stir to combine. Sift flour and salt into the eggs and  blend well.  Add herbs and pepper  if you wish.   Place in fridge for at least 30 mins up to 3 hours.  
  3. While the prime rib is resting preheat oven to 450°
  4. Take the pan drippings and place 1 tablespoon (generous) in the bottom of each muffin tin.
  5. Once oven is hot, place the pan with the drippings in for 5 minutes until the oil is just smoking.
  6. Remove the bowl with egg/flour mixture from fridge when you put the pan in the oven, stir to remix.
  7. Once oil is smoking you will add 1/4 -1/3 cup batter to each muffin tin. (the muffin tin cup should be filled to about 1/2-2/3 full--- no more than that or it will make a mess in your oven. 
  8. Carefully place the muffin tin in the oven and bake for 13-14 minutes until they have popped. 
  9. You can carve the roast while they are baking.  Serve immediately on top of prime rib or the meat you have roasted.  

Notes

Make the batter when you put the prime rib in the oven or at least 3o minutes before it will be coming out of the oven.

Allow to rest in fridge in covered container until needed. 

Options:  If you don't have any pan drippings you can substitute vegetable oil or any oil that has a high smoking point.  Olive oil will NOT work, it smokes very easily and will burn the popover. 

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

12 (1 pudding)

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 215Saturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 84mgSodium: 135mgCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 4g

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Eve

Monday 1st of January 2024

These turned out so delicious. Thank you! When the batter comes out of refrigerator is it necessary for it to be completely smooth. I had some small lumps of flour.

Ashley

Monday 25th of December 2023

Mine didn’t rise. Thinking it’s the Colorado altitude. Still tasted good.

5 tips to make sure your Yorkshire puddings rise every time

Friday 11th of February 2022

[…] Yorkshire Pudding Recipe – West Via Midwest […]

Sharon

Thursday 26th of December 2019

It would have GREATLY if you said what temp to pre-heat the oven to and what to cook it at. I had to go to another recipe for those.

Michele

Thursday 26th of December 2019

Sharon~ I did/do have it listed in the instructions under #3-- (450°) I hope it turned out for you~~ ~michele

Heather

Friday 19th of July 2019

I am going to make these for the first time and serve them with steak and garlic potatoes, so I have no drippings. I alway keep the grease from when I fry bacon. Do you think that would work ok? I am not sure if bacon grease would catch on fire, is it ok to use? Also, I will be using muffin tins, should I use the larger tray that makes 6 large muffins or the smaller tray that makes 12 muffins?

Michele

Monday 22nd of July 2019

HI Heather! I think bacon grease would work fine.(and omg... yummy too!) Use about a tablespoon -- Id use the 12 muffin tin size. Ive used those in the past and they work fine. They may not pop as high as turnover pans, but they taste fine! ~michele

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