Burns Night: Create a classic Burns Night menu for the perfect supper

It's Burns Night on 25 January so celebrate the life of Scottish poet Robert Burns with these classic Scottish Burns Night recipes from haggis, neeps and tatties to whisky desserts.

cullen skink recipe burns night

It's Burns Night on Saturday 25th January so celebrate the life of Scottish poet Robert Burns with these classic Scottish Burns Night recipes from haggis, neeps and tatties to whisky desserts.

And while you may not have a piper, no Burns Night supper would be complete without Rabbie's address to the haggis. Be sure to recite it aloud (theatrical voice a must) before you tuck into your delicious Burns night recipes.

Robert Burns & his address to a haggis:

Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face, Great chieftain o the puddin'-race! Aboon them a' ye tak your place, Painch, tripe, or thairm: Weel are ye worthy o' a grace As lang's my arm.

The groaning trencher there ye fill, Your hurdies like a distant hill, Your pin wad help to mend a mill In time o need, While thro your pores the dews distil Like amber bead.

His knife see rustic Labour dight, An cut you up wi ready slight, Trenching your gushing entrails bright, Like onie ditch; And then, O what a glorious sight, Warm-reekin, rich!

Then, horn for horn, they stretch an strive: Deil tak the hindmost, on they drive, Till a' their weel-swall'd kytes belyve Are bent like drums; The auld Guidman, maist like to rive, 'Bethankit' hums.

Is there that owre his French ragout, Or olio that wad staw a sow, Or fricassee wad mak her spew Wi perfect scunner, Looks down wi sneering, scornfu view On sic a dinner?

Poor devil! see him owre his trash, As feckless as a wither'd rash, His spindle shank a guid whip-lash, His nieve a nit; Thro bloody flood or field to dash, O how unfit!

But mark the Rustic, haggis-fed, The trembling earth resounds his tread, Clap in his walie nieve a blade, He'll make it whissle; An legs an arms, an heads will sned, Like taps o thrissle.

Ye Pow'rs, wha mak mankind your care, And dish them out their bill o fare, Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware That jaups in luggies: But, if ye wish her gratefu prayer, Gie her a Haggis

Now it's time to take a look at the list we've compiled of delicious tatties and neeps Burns night recipes that you can add to your Burns Night menu....

Starter: Cullen skink

The traditional Burns' Night starter is this warming haddock soup, known as cullen skink, which has a rich creamy flavour.

Get the recipe: Cullen skink

Burns Night cock-a-leekie soup recipe

Starter: Leek Soup

Burns night

For a slight alternative, make a warming cock-a-leekie soup as a starter for your Burns Night dinner or try our easy recipe for vegan leek soup with herby croutons.

Get the recipe: Cock-a-leekie soup recipe

Main course: Parcel of haggis

Burns night

The most traditional Burns Night recipe is the savoury pudding haggis. Buy one ready-made and add pastry, chutney, beetroot and leek to make these parcels of haggis. Vegetarian haggis is also now fairly readily available and would also be jazzed up with a pastry wrapping.

Get the recipes:

Haggis, needs and tatties

Parcel of haggis recipe

Vegetarian haggis recipe

Sides: Neeps and Tatties

Burns night

Floury potatoes, milk and seasoning are all you need to make this classic mash recipe. Tatties are a classic side dish on Burns Night along with mashed turnips or swede (neeps).

Get the recipe:

Haggis, needs and tatties Mashed potatoes

Buttered swede with crispy bacon

Alternative: Kedgeree

Burns night

If you don't fancy haggis, serve up this cheap, quick and easy Scottish-inspired smoked haddock kedgeree. It's simply smoked haddock, eggs, rice and coriander.

Get the recipe: Quick kedgeree

Dessert: Scottish Cupcakes

(Image credit: Getty)

Victoria Threader has created these delicious Scottish-themed cupcakes, using whisky buttercream on top of chocolate cupcakes.

Get the recipe: Scottish Cupcakes

Dessert: Cranachan

Burns night

Cranachan is one of the most traditional Scottish desserts, made with raspberries, cream, oatmeal and honey. Make it in advance, let it chill and bring it out half-an-hour before eating.

Get the recipe: Cranachan

Dessert: Whisky trifle

Burns night

Trifles are another traditional Burns Night treat and this Whisky trifle is bound to go down well! Make individual portions for the kids with orange juice instead of whisky.

Get the recipe: Whisky trifle

Drinks: Hot Toddy

Burns night

Perfect for cold January, this whisky-infused classic is an absolute must for Burns Night.

Get the recipe: Hot toddy

Drinks: Manhattan cocktail

Burns night

Despite the name this cocktail actually does have a certain Scottish element to it - plenty of whisky! On a cold January night, nothing beats a warming cocktail to get the festivities going.

Get the recipe: Manhattan cocktail

Dessert: Scottish Shortbread

This Scottish shortbread recipe is simple and delicious. If you're having the family over for afternoon tea, this biscuit recipe is perfect. Packed with sweet butter and sugar, this recipe is a must-have.

Get the recipe: Scottish Shortbread

Jessica Dady
Food Editor

Jessica Dady is Food Editor at GoodtoKnow and has over 11 years of experience as a digital editor, specialising in all things food, recipes, and SEO. From the must-buy seasonal food hampers and advent calendars for Christmas to the family-friendly air fryers that’ll make dinner time a breeze, Jessica loves trying and testing various food products to find the best of the best for the busy parents among us. Over the years of working with GoodtoKnow, Jessica has had the privilege of working alongside Future’s Test Kitchen to create exclusive videos - as well as writing, testing, and shooting her own recipes. When she’s not embracing the great outdoors with her family at the weekends, Jessica enjoys baking up a storm in the kitchen with her favourite bakes being chocolate chip cookies, cupcakes, and a tray of gooey chocolate brownies