delia smith’s corned beef hash
Delia Smith’s corned beef hash is made with potatoes, onions, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and tinned corned beef. You boil the potatoes, fry them with onions, fold through diced corned beef, and serve with a fried egg on top.
But before we get into the recipe fully, a little sidequest into one of Delia’s passions…
Delia and Norwich City FC
In her 2023 appearance on Desert Island Discs, Delia Smith reflected on her long association with Norwich City Football Club, which she and her husband Michael have supported financially since becoming majority shareholders in 1996. She described football as “the beautiful game,” full of both joy and frustration, but above all valued it for the sense of community it creates.
Since October 2024 Delia Smith and her husband reduced their shareholding down to 10%, standing down as club directors and became honorary life presidents.
About the “Let’s Be Having You!” Moment
Delia Smith isn’t just known for her recipes. In 2005, during half-time at a Norwich City football match`, she grabbed the mic and urged the crowd with the now-famous line:
“Let’s be ‘aving you!”
Smith also addressed her most famous moment as a fan: the 2005 half-time incident when she took a microphone at Carrow Road and urged the crowd to get behind the team with the now-iconic line, “Let’s be having you.” She explained that she had been frustrated by the subdued atmosphere and simply forgot that television cameras were present when she spoke.
The reaction at the time was mixed, with some press criticism suggesting she had overstepped. But she later received letters of support from fans across the country, and the phrase has since become part of football folklore. To this day, she said, opposition supporters still greet her with the chant, something she takes in good humour.
It’s become part of her public persona, often quoted with affectionate humour. Linking her no-nonsense cooking with that iconic rallying cry feels perfectly on-brand: hearty food with a dose of personality.
FAQs
What potatoes work best for corned beef hash?
Delia recommends Desirée or King Edward, as they boil well but still hold their texture when fried.
Can you reheat corned beef hash?
Yes, reheat in a frying pan until hot all the way through. The potatoes may soften slightly, but the flavour holds up well.
What’s the origin of corned beef hash?
It’s a thrifty dish, often made with leftover potatoes and salted beef, popular in British and American wartime cooking.
Why did Delia say “Let’s be having you”?
She was addressing the Norwich City fans in 2005, encouraging more support for the team. The phrase has since become a meme and a light-hearted shorthand for Delia herself.
You can see Delia’s method here. From Delia’s How to Cook
So why this recipe? …well, let’s beef hashing you!
Sorry.
corned beef hash
Ingredients
- 200 g tinned corned beef
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp wholegrain mustard
- 1 large onion
- 275 g floury potatoes
Instructions
- Peel, cut potatoes into even chunks, and boil in salted water for 5 minutes until tender. Drain, put back in the pan, and cover to steam.
- Slice the onion and fry gently in oil until softened and golden.
- Tip in the drained potatoes, breaking them up lightly with a spoon, and fry until beginning to crisp.
- Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, mustard, salt, and pepper.
- Cut the beef into small cubes, stir through the potato and onion, and cook for a few minutes until heated through.
- In a separate pan, fry the eggs to your liking.
- Spoon the hash onto plates and top each portion with a fried egg.
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