Ploughman’s Lunch combines crusty bread, hearty English cheeses, fine ale and other delights for a rustic, satisfying meal you’ll want to share over good conversation with family and friends.
The Ploughman’s Lunch is simple fare that can’t be rivaled for robust flavors and satisfying textures.
A meal to settle into, it’s an excuse for a leisurely meal enjoying the company of friends and family along with gorgeously flavored food.
I love mixing and matching all the ingredients in different bites. There are so many flavor combinations!
I’ll admit I crave it for breakfast too. After making a Ploughman’s Lunch, I nosh on the crusty bread, some of the cheese and slices of meat for several breakfasts in following days.
I honestly can’t think of a better way to start the day!
What’s in a Ploughman’s Lunch?
A Ploughman’s Lunch, also called a ‘Ploughman’s Platter‘ or simply a ‘Ploughman’s’, is a cold English lunch comprised of specific foods.
Though there is some flexibility on the specific types of cheese, bread and ale in a Ploughman’s Lunch, there are some ‘must haves’ that will always be in a Ploughman’s Lunch.
Authorities on British food will suggest there always needs to be a ‘pickled item’, often chutney and pickled onions.
I love making English Pub Pickled Onions for this very meal! They are easy to make and this recipe is also gluten-free.
There are specific types of chutney that accompany the Ploughman’s Lunch as well.
The most popular in my research is Branston Pickle (chutney) (which does have gluten for those gluten-free).
Sliced apples are often included which rounds out all the flavors.
Must Have Ingredients for a Ploughman’s Lunch
In summary, the following list will cover all the ‘must haves’ for your Ploughman’s Lunch:
- Crusty bread
- English cheeses
- Ale
- Chutney
- Pickled Onions
- Sliced Apples
- Sliced meats (optional)
- Pickled eggs (optional)
Who Invented the Ploughman’s Lunch?
From the name, you might imagine the origins of this lunch to be a favorite of field laborers.
It may be but it officially dates back to the 1950’s and was supposedly created by the Cheese Bureau as a marketing idea to sell more cheese in pubs.
It’s a cold English meal with a main ingredient being bread, cheese and beer.
Chutney Options for a Ploughman’s Lunch
For those unfamiliar with chutneys the most similar thing would be a relish that has a jam consistency.
Chutney is a condiment made with fruit and/or vegetables, vinegar, sugar and spices for a tangy, chunky addition to a meal.
If you’ve had chutney before, these Ploughman’s Lunch chutneys aren’t like the sweet, fruity chutneys often accompanying Indian food.
The flavor is a strong, more serious flavor and one that pairs well with the strong cheeses.
For a gluten-free Ploughman’s Lunch I was able to order Heinz brand Ploughman’s Pickle which a chutney perfect for this meal.
Cheeses for a Ploughman’s Lunch
If you love strong cheese this will be great fun for you.
I hit up the cheese section of my local grocer and came home with:
- Cheddar Red Dragon with mustard seeds
- English Cheddar with Horseradish and parsley
- a few types of aged English Cheddar
- Stilton
- Wensleydale (which always reminds of the Claymation movie ‘Wallace and Gromit’)
Tip for Finding Strong English Cheese
Often at larger markets the nationality of the cheese will be labeled but if not, ask the person manning the cheese counter and they can educate you on some great selections.
I’ll come clean to say the versions of Wensleydale I selected, one with blueberries and one with cranberries, are not typical for this meal.
A straight-up Wensleydale would be more common (but really the creamy cheese with the bright fruit flavor is fantastic!).
Is Meat Served with a Ploughman’s Lunch?
There is debate about including of meat, usually ham.
For my Ploughman’s Lunch I did add some smoked ham (it would more likely be served in a thicker cut) and some roast beef which always makes me think about England (served with Yorkshire Pudding).
Include a Good Ale (Gluten-Free Suggestion included)
A good ale should be included in a Ploughman’s Lunch.
I added a gluten-free dark favorite of mine, Greene’s Dubbel Dark Ale (it’s actually Belgium but we gluten-free have to take our beer where we can find it).
Crusty Bread for the Ploughman’s Lunch
A rustic, crusty bread is perfect for the Ploughman’s Lunch. If you are a baker and love the idea of pulling a fresh loaf out of the oven, here are some recipe ideas:
Bread recipes for regular (with gluten) bread
These recipes would make a great addition to a Ploughman’s Lunch:
- This Super Simple No-Knead Bread is a spot on option.
- This Artisan Bread Recipe has Ploughman’s Lunch all over it.
- These Crusty Anadama Rolls would be a fun alternative to a loaf of bread and are made in a cast iron skillet!
Bread recipes for gluten-free home bakers
Gluten-free bakers will enjoy any of these options below. We have a local gluten-free bakery that makes the peasant bread that was great.
- I love the look of this gluten-free Crusty Artisan Bread.
- This Gluten-Free Crusty Boule would be fantastic.
- Though it’s not traditional, I love this easy, rustic Easy Gluten-Free Beer Bread too (though I just learned to look out for beer that is gluten-free versus gluten-reduced when choosing beer).
Serving the Ploughman’s Lunch
Serve casually for diners to fill their plates as they wish. There are no rules to how to eat a Ploughman’s Lunch; just that it must have cheese, bread and beer!
If you’ve tried this Ploughman’s Lunch recipe please RATE THE RECIPE below!
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Recipe
Ploughman’s Lunch Recipe
Ingredients
- Crusty Bread (refer to the blog post for recipe links if home baking)
- Strong English Cheeses (Stilton, Wensleydale, English Cheddar)
- Sliced Apples
- Chutney
- Pickled Onions
- Beer or Ale (my favorite gluten-free ale is in the blog post)
- Thickly sliced Ham (I'd use Roast Beef as well)
- Optional: Boiled or Pickled Eggs
Instructions
- Serve casually on cutting boards and small plates.
- Settle in for the afternoon and enjoy. Great for picnics too!
Nutrition
Originally published: February 26, 2017
Colleen Cayes says
I like the idea of eating this for breakfast lunch, afternoon snack, and/or dinner! The photos are making my mouth water already, and I love your description of the pub-like atmosphere in Muir Beach. Throw in the fireplace, and you have both culinary and ambiance perfection.
makeba says
This is such a great concept for lunch! My home is gluten-free so I’m going to grab these ingredients at the store and try this out this weekend!
SHELLEY R ZUREK says
When I lived in Switzerland this kind of meal was so popular for dinner. I just adore the cheeses.
Toni Dash says
Yes! I have traveled a lot to Switzerland and appreciate these types of dishes. Their breakfasts are sort of like this too, an eccelectic mix of foods (most of which, like the Ploughman’s Lunch, I’d much rather eat for breakfast actually)
Karrie Truman says
Now that is an idea I can get behind. That is so different and cool!
Kita Bryant says
This is a great example of a creative lunch. I love the ingredients you chose.
Cassie says
This sounds like a meal my husband would enjoy. I will have to suggest it to him sometime.
melissa says
what a gorgeous and yummy meal! Looks like the kind of lunch a gal like me would LOVE! and how wonderful that it is gluten free!
Our Family World says
i love this meal! my m om used to prepare meals like this before! when i was a teenager! lol
Seattle Travel Blogger says
Ploughman’s Lunch does look like a rustic meal!
Very nice find from the Pelican Inn.
Naterlee says
We love are pickled eggs and pork pies with it to in my house nom nom however I am unsure if hot water pastry works gluten free eek. Incidentally I live just down the road from Branston where the pickle originated but I much prefer a caramelized red onion chutney.
Toni Dash says
Good insight Naterlee, thank you! Since Branston has gluten, I’ll not be able to taste compare. I’ll rely on you!