Big Bad Breakfast
Inspired by the popular American restaurant chain, this Southern-style English breakfast combines the best of British tradition with Southern American flair.
The Big Bad Breakfast Story
The Big Bad Breakfast is inspired by the popular restaurant chain that brought Southern hospitality to the morning meal. Founded by James Beard Award-winning chef John Currence in Oxford, Mississippi, Big Bad Breakfast has become a destination for anyone who believes that breakfast should be the most indulgent meal of the day.
The restaurant's philosophy is simple: take the best breakfast traditions and make them bigger, bolder, and unapologetically indulgent. This recipe takes that philosophy and applies it to the English breakfast, creating a transatlantic fusion that combines British tradition with Southern American flair.
While the original Big Bad Breakfast restaurants are an American institution, this recipe bridges the Atlantic, combining the British love of a proper fry-up with Southern flair. The result is a breakfast that is bigger, bolder, and unapologetically indulgent.
What makes it Southern?
- Extra-crispy bacon: The Southern standard — cooked until shatteringly crisp
- Sage-seasoned sausages: A classic Southern herb that adds warmth and depth
- Heavy black pepper: Southern cooking does not shy away from bold seasoning
- Bigger portions: Everything is bigger in the South, including breakfast
- Optional sides: Grits, biscuits, or cornbread make great additions
Ingredients
- 🥓2 rashers (60g) Back Bacon161 cal
- 🌭2 sausages (100g) Pork Sausages225 cal
- 🍳2 eggs Fried Eggs182 cal
- 🫘Half a tin (200g) Baked Beans100 cal
- 🍅1 tomato (halved) Fried Tomatoes22 cal
- 🍄Handful (80g) Fried Mushrooms44 cal
- 🍞2 slices Toast132 cal
- 🫙1 tablespoon HP Brown Sauce15 cal
Instructions
Season the sausages with a pinch of sage and black pepper. Cook over medium heat for 18-20 minutes.
Cook the bacon until extra crispy — the Southern way.
Prepare all vegetable components: fried tomatoes and mushrooms.
Fry eggs sunny-side up with crispy edges.
Toast thick-cut bread and serve with beans and sauce.
Tips
- ✓The secret to the Big Bad Breakfast style is extra-crispy bacon and perfectly seasoned sausages.
- ✓Serve with a side of grits or biscuits for the full Southern-British fusion experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Big Bad Breakfast?
Big Bad Breakfast is a popular Southern American restaurant chain founded by chef John Currence in Oxford, Mississippi. It is known for its indulgent, Southern-style breakfasts that take traditional morning meals to the next level with creative ingredients and bold flavors.
Can I make this without Southern ingredients?
Absolutely. This recipe adapts the Big Bad Breakfast concept using readily available British ingredients. The key elements — extra-crispy bacon, well-seasoned sausages, and a hearty approach — work with any quality ingredients you have access to.
What makes this different from a regular English breakfast?
The Southern influence adds a few twists: sausages are seasoned with sage and extra black pepper, bacon is cooked extra-crispy Southern-style, and the overall approach is bolder and more indulgent. Think of it as a Full English with an American accent.
What sides go well with a Big Bad Breakfast?
Traditional Southern sides include grits, biscuits with gravy, and fried green tomatoes. For a British-Southern fusion, try serving with hash browns or fried bread alongside American-style pancakes for the ultimate indulgent brunch.