Treat yourself like royalty.
The upcoming coronation of King Charles III promises to be a day of pomp, tradition — and good food. Here are 10 coronation recipe ideas, from traditional English recipes like scones to English porridge, tea sandwiches, and more. No matter your mood or appetite, here’s what to cook for the coronation.
What to Cook and Serve for King Charles’s Coronation
It’s finally here! King Charles’s coronation (and Camilla’s) will take place on May 6, 2023, beginning at 11 a.m. in Great Britain, or 6 a.m. on U.S. eastern time, with celebration events scheduled throughout the weekend. And good English food should be a part of any celebration.
No matter where in the world you’re watching, these recipe ideas for what to serve for a coronation party make a perfect accompaniment.
No Queen Elizabeth-era coronation chicken this time around, though you can easily find that recipe. Instead, let’s focus on hearty English breakfasts, lovely afternoon tea party treats, and flavorful (flavour?) suppers fit for a king and queen — and you.
What is the coronation dish for King Charles?
King Charles III and Camilla have chosen a coronation quiche as their official dish, a deep quiche with a filling of broad beans, cheddar cheese, spinach, and fresh tarragon. The coronation quiche recipe certainly sounds delicious, but if you want some more recipe ideas for you or your coronation party guests, read on.
Coronation Recipe Ideas for Breakfast
To those watching in North or South America, coronation watching will be a breakfast affair. So these coronation-friendly recipes are designed with a lovely English breakfast in mind.
1. Multigrain English Porridge
This hearty take on traditional English porridge combines oats plus quinoa, though you can certainly modify it to all oats. This creamy bowl of breakfast oatmeal will start the day right and is one of my favorite (err, favourite — leaning into the British spelling) meals.
2. Traditional Full English Breakfast
Is there anything better to wake up to than a proper British fry up? Learn how to make the traditional full English breakfast recipe — complete with tomatoes, baked beans, eggs, mushrooms, sausage, bacon, and toast. A British fry up is the king of meals for King Charles III’s coronation.
3. Soft-Boiled Eggs
If you’ve watched The Crown (and haven’t we all?), you may have noticed the royals’ penchant for a proper soft-boiled egg breakfast, topped with salt and pepper and served with toast. Here’s how to make soft-boiled eggs, for a simple and elegant breakfast.
4. Cinnamon Toast
If you prefer a lighter breakfast on coronation day, what could be better than simple toast topped with butter and fresh cinnamon sugar? Here’s the recipe for perfect cinnamon sugar to sweeten the day.
What to Cook for the Coronation: Lunch, Tea, and Dinner Recipe Ideas
If you’re past breakfast and want something in the p.m. department, these coronation recipe ideas have you covered. From proper afternoon tea sandwiches to lovely English-inspired baking, enjoy these British foods and recipe ideas that answer what to cook for the coronation.
5. The Ritz Cucumber Tea Sandwich Recipe
No one does tea better than the British, and authentic afternoon tea sandwiches makes the perfect accompaniment. These cucumber tea sandwiches, adapted from the Ritz London recipe, are simple to make and taste just perfect.
6. Salmon Tea Sandwiches
This simple recipe for smoked salmon tea sandwiches combines salmon, cream cheese, and fresh herbs into a savory sandwich spread. Cut into fingers and serve with tea for the perfect coronation day lunch or tea.
7. Buttermilk Scones
This English scone recipe is one of the most popular recipes on Unpeeled Journal! This is the British royal family’s official English scone recipe, the scone recipe served at Buckingham palace — and kept secret until recently. Served best fresh and warm from the oven with strawberry jam.
8. Cream Biscuit Strawberry Shortcakes
The coronation takes place during prime strawberry season. So these little biscuit strawberry shortcakes are just right for celebrating. You can also serve the pastry biscuits plain with some good jam. Either way, these make a perfect dessert or accompaniment to afternoon tea.
9. Deep Dish Chicken Pot Pie
There is something about a pot pie that just says “cozy cottage in England.” This chicken pot pie recipe combines creamy, easy chicken and vegetable filling with an all-butter, double crust pie dough for the ultimate, family-favorite dinner.
10. A Twist on Coronation Chicken: Waldorf Chicken Salad
The official recipe for coronation chicken, a dish developed and shared for Queen Elizabeth’s coronation, is ubiquitous. And since this is a new coronation, how about a new chicken salad recipe?
This recipe for chicken salad comes loaded with chunks of white meat, plus apples, walnuts, and fresh herbs. Perfect on its own or as a sandwich.

10 Best Coronation Recipe Ideas for King Charles's Coronation
Ingredients
Instructions
- These recipes vary in their cooking and baking times, with some -- like the tea sandwiches -- being completely no cook.
A few coronation recipes notes:
- Make the tea sandwiches in advance and keep them cool in the fridge, covered, for up to 3 hours.
- The chicken pot pie filling and crust can be made in advance. Do not combine until ready to bake, to prevent the bottom crust from becoming soggy.
- Want to make the traditional English breakfast vegetarian? Substitute ripe avocado with some seeds for a protein swap.
- The Waldorf-style chicken salad can be made up to two days in advance and kept in the fridge.
7 comments
Ricki
Scones are delicious and will
make the tea sandwiches tomorrow. Everything looks so good !
Thx Lisa
Ricki
Unpeeled
Thank you!!!
Abby
Excellent! Was just browsing to see if there were any special foods for coronation day. The full English breakfast looks awesome and pretty filling! I am also liking the strawberry shortcakes and the quiche. I’m in US mountain time so the breakfast will hopefully be good timing for watching the festivities. Later in the day I’ll go for the quiche and shortcakes. Congrats to King Charles!!
Unpeeled
I hope that you enjoy! Yes, it was definitely a breakfast event in the U.S. 🙂
George F.
I have made the chicken pot pie recipe before and it is outstanding. I am going to try the porridge for breakfast this weekend.
Danny Goh
Full english breakfast fan except for the baked beans. I am on the west coast and do a CA/Mexican vegetarian style with black beans and avocado and quest fresco instead of meat and baked beans.
Ellen
Will be making the scones! One of my favourite recipes.