Traditional Welsh Food

Many claim that the
best way to experience a culture is through local cuisine. The same can be said
of your heritage. The best way to experience a piece of your ancestors’ lives
is through the food they ate.

Use FamilySearch.org to find family recipes that your relatives have shared, or start recording the family recipes you have saved.

Welsh Food Traditions

In many cultures, the cuisine reflects the
tastes and trends of the higher classes. However, the wealthy and educated in
Wales who had the ability to record recipes often followed English cooking
styles. Consequently, they did not represent true Welsh cooking. 

Instead, traditional Welsh food largely represents working class in Wales. Welsh cuisine focuses on what the working class could produce or afford, and recipes were passed down orally in the families of the working class. As a result, you can learn a lot about your heritage through food if you have Welsh ancestors.

Wales is well known for its lamb and beef. The Welsh people relied heavily on their livestock to provide for their families, and winter cuisine often featured meats and dairy from the livestock. 

While meats and cheese were traditionally a
highlight of Welsh foods, vegetables and herbs were less readily available. The
most widely used vegetables and herbs were cabbages, leeks, thyme, savory, and
mint. Over time, more variety was introduced as it became more accessible.

Variations in Traditional Welsh Food

Because Welsh food was historically limited by the availability of ingredients, there are variations in traditional dishes based on what could be grown in different regions. Higher elevations relied more on oats, while lower elevations used wheat and barley. Coastal residents often used seaweed to supplement their meals.

Interestingly, the Gower Peninsula features a flavor profile different from the rest of Wales. The peninsula was difficult to access by land and developed unique cuisines as a result of its isolation. 

Welsh Recipes

Welsh food represents the lives of the common people of Wales. Try the recipes below to get a taste of what life was like for your Welsh ancestors.

Welsh Rarebit Recipe

Also known as Welsh Rabbit, this traditional dish features a spicy cheese sauce over toast. You read that right—no rabbit is found in this dish!

Welsh Cake Recipe

Similar to a sweet biscuit or thick pancake, Welsh cakes rose to popularity as a tea-time treat. They’re delicious fresh and warm or on the go.

Shepherd’s Pie

This hearty dish was originally intended to repurpose leftover meat. It’s a meat pie, often made with lamb and topped with a mashed potato crust.

Source: Family Search