Traditional Scottish Haggis
The iconic Scottish national dish, a savory pudding made from sheep's offal (heart, liver, and lungs), mixed with oatmeal, onions, suet, and spices, traditionally encased and cooked within a sheep's stomach. A centerpiece for Burns Night celebrations.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Sheep's heart, liver, and lungs(Ensure these are fresh and thoroughly cleaned. You may need to source these from a butcher.)
- 200 g Pinhead or steel-cut oatmeal(This type of oatmeal provides the best texture. Rolled oats can be used but will result in a softer filling.)
- 2 Large onions(Finely chopped.)
- 100 g Beef or lamb suet(Available from most butchers or supermarkets. If using pre-packaged suet, ensure it's unsalted.)
- 1 Sheep's stomach (bag)(This needs to be thoroughly cleaned and soaked, often overnight, in cold salted water. Ask your butcher for one specifically prepared for haggis.)
- 200 ml Stock (beef or lamb)(To moisten the filling.)
- 1 tsp Salt(Or to taste.)
- 1 tsp Black pepper(Freshly ground, or to taste.)
- 0.5 tsp Ground mace(Adds a subtle warmth.)
- 0.5 tsp Ground nutmeg(For aromatic depth.)
- pinch Optional: Cayenne pepper(For a touch of heat.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the offal: Place the sheep's heart, liver, and lungs in a large pot. Cover with cold water and bring to a boil. Skim off any impurities that rise to the surface. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer gently for about 1 hour, or until the offal is tender. Drain well. Once cool enough to handle, mince the cooked offal very finely. A meat grinder is ideal, but you can also chop it very finely with a sharp knife.
⏱️ 1 hour 15 minutes (including cooling and mincing) - 2
Prepare the oatmeal: While the offal is cooking, toast the oatmeal lightly in a dry pan over medium heat until it smells nutty and is lightly golden. This enhances its flavor. Be careful not to burn it. Set aside to cool.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 3
Combine the filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the finely minced offal, toasted oatmeal, finely chopped onions, suet, salt, black pepper, mace, nutmeg, and optional cayenne pepper. Mix thoroughly. Gradually add the stock, mixing until the filling is moist but not wet. It should hold together when squeezed. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
⏱️ 20 minutes - 4
Prepare the stomach: Ensure the sheep's stomach has been thoroughly cleaned and soaked as per instructions. Rinse it well inside and out. Place the stomach on a clean work surface, smooth side down.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 5
Stuff the stomach: Carefully spoon the haggis filling into the stomach, filling it about two-thirds full. Do not overfill, as the oatmeal will expand during cooking. Fold the edges of the stomach over the filling to enclose it. Securely sew the opening shut with strong kitchen twine and a needle, ensuring no gaps. You can also use skewers to hold it closed before sewing.
⏱️ 20 minutes - 6
Cook the haggis: Place the stuffed haggis into a large, deep pot. Cover generously with cold water. Bring the water to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Do not allow it to boil vigorously, as this can cause the stomach to burst. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the haggis simmer gently for 3 hours. Check the water level periodically and top up with hot water if necessary to keep the haggis submerged.
⏱️ 3 hours - 7
Serve the haggis: Once cooked, carefully remove the haggis from the pot using a slotted spoon or large ladle. Let it rest for about 10 minutes before serving. To serve, cut open the stomach and spoon the haggis onto plates. Traditionally served with 'neeps' (mashed swede/rutabaga) and 'tatties' (mashed potatoes).
⏱️ 10 minutes (resting)
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For Burns Night, it's traditional to 'Address the Haggis' with a poem before cutting into it.
- ✓Ensure the stomach is very well cleaned and soaked to remove any 'off' smells.
- ✓If you cannot source a sheep's stomach, you can cook the filling in a pudding basin or even bake it in a casserole dish, though this is not traditional.
- ✓The haggis can be made a day in advance and reheated gently in simmering water.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Vegetarian haggis: Made with lentils, beans, nuts, and vegetables.
- Modern versions: Some recipes omit the stomach casing and cook the filling in a pudding cloth or bake it.