Not surprising: They're elegant in their simplicity.
Queen Elizabeth’s All-Time Favorite Foods
Updated on Feb. 01, 2024
When you’re the Queen, you have access to some of the world’s greatest foods, but what is it that Queen Elizabeth II actually craves? Some of the royal family’s former chefs have dished on her faves, and we were shocked!
According to one such chef, Darren McGrady (who spoke to the Telegraph), the queen is not a foodie. But like anyone, there are a few things Her Majesty requests regularly. Read on to find out what they are.
1/10
2/10
Scrambled Eggs
Total Time
15 min
Servings
3 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
What may come as a surprise, however, is that on most mornings the monarch prefers to eat cold cereal. Special K, to be exact. Every once in a while, though, she indulges in some scrambled eggs and smoked salmon with grated truffle. Our American scrambles may not be as fancy as those topped with truffle, but we do make some delicious eggs.
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup: 246 calories, 18g fat (6g saturated fat), 438mg cholesterol, 523mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 0 fiber), 15g protein.
3/10
Gin Cocktails
Total Time
5 min
Servings
1 serving
From the Recipe Creator:
The queen loves a pre-lunch drink, therefore shouldn’t we all? What she prefers is gin and Dubonnet (a red wine aperitif) with a slice of lemon and a heaping amount of ice. Can’t get your hands on Dubonnet? We’re sure a gimlet with a slice of lime will suffice.
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 196 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 1mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
4/10
Chocolate Ganache Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This decadent triple-layer beauty is pure chocolate indulgence. The cake layers can be frozen prior to final assembly; in fact, they're easier to work with when frozen. —Kathleen Smith, Overland, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 970 calories, 65g fat (30g saturated fat), 88mg cholesterol, 607mg sodium, 81g carbohydrate (53g sugars, 3g fiber), 8g protein.
5/10
Fish Dinner
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
“When she dines on her own,” McGrady reports, “she’s very disciplined. No starch is the rule. No potatoes, rice or pasta for dinner. Just usually something like grilled sole with vegetables and salad.”
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 174 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 69mg cholesterol, 166mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat, 1 vegetable.
6/10
Mangoes
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Mangoes are another favorite of Queen Elizabeth, says another former palace chef, John Higgins, “The Queen really enjoyed mangoes..she could tell you how many mangoes were in the fridge at Buckingham Palace,” Higgins told the National Post. Our strawberry mango salad would be perfect for the queen.
Nutrition Facts:
3 ounces cooked pork with 1/3 cup relish: 171 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 245mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1/2 starch.
7/10
Tea Sandwiches
Total Time
15 min
Servings
4 sandwiches
From the Recipe Creator:
Higgins also reports that they’d make “little dainty afternoon tea sandwiches,” and mentioned how much patience it takes to make them. (The Queen eats her sandwiches crustless, so if you want to be extra authentic, trim away.)
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 286 calories, 10g fat (6g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 631mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 9g protein.
8/10
Chocolate Mousse
Total Time
20 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
As we’ve mentioned, the Queen loves her chocolate (queen or no, she’s still human), but what is her favorite chocolate dessert? According to Higgins, that would have to be chocolate mousse. “Trust me, the plates were clean when they came back from the royal family,” said Higgins.
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 366 calories, 30g fat (18g saturated fat), 160mg cholesterol, 23mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
9/10
Strawberry Jam
Total Time
40 min
Servings
4-1/2 pints
From the Recipe Creator:
McGrady also told The Daily Mail that her Majesty loved jam pennies—small sandwiches filled with jam that are cut into circles the size of an old English penny. To make these scrumptious delights you’ll need an extra delicious jam to fill them. Try our delicious strawberry jam recipe!
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 79 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 3mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
10/10
Beef Tournedos
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Charles Mellis, royal chef in 1965, reported one of the dishes often served (when there were guests) was Tournedos Continental—small beef rounds typically accompanied by some sort of sauce. The chef recommended making one more round than there are guests, so that one piece remains after everyone’s been served. “No guest should be made to feel that he or she has been served with whatever was left,” he told Chatelaine.
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 308 calories, 12g fat (5g saturated fat), 106mg cholesterol, 385mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 0 fiber), 36g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 1 starch.
