Have you ever tried cullen skink recipe? It’s a classic Scottish soup that’s packed with flavor. The name actually comes from a small town in northeast Scotland called Cullen, where it originated. It’s made of smoked haddocks and potatoes. It is delicious and has a smoky flavor to it. Let’s quickly look at the recipe.

To make cullen skink, add butter and onions to a pan and fry them. Now, add potatoes and water and let it simmer. Take a pan and put haddock and milk in it and cook it. After some time, combine the haddock mixture with the potato mixture and serve.
When it comes to making cullen skink, there are a few different ways to add that creamy texture we all love. Some people add mashed potatoes as well to thicken the soup and give it that rich, velvety consistency. You can try that.
This smoky soup is great comfort food. But to make this Scottish skink soup, you need to follow the detailed procedure that I’ve mentioned below. Also, there are other recipes that you can have as starters, let’s check them out.
Other Starter Recipes That You Can Try
- Gnocchi Recipe
- Crab Bisque Recipe
- Roasted Chicken And Bow-Tie Pasta Salad Recipe
- Crunchy Katsu Musubi Recipe
- Charcuterie Board Meat Flowers Recipe
- Chinese Spring Rolls Recipe
- Sonic Mozzarella Sticks Recipe
- Cheesy Spinach Corn Sandwich Recipe
- White Wings Recipe
- Stewed Corn Recipe
What Equipment Will You Need To Make Cullen Skink?
- Cooking Pan – Cook your ingredients in the pan.
- Spatula – Use a spatula to mix the ingredients.
How Much Time Will You Need To Make Cullen Skink?
Preparation Time | Cooking Time | Total Time |
---|---|---|
10 Minutes | 30 Minutes | 40 Minutes |
What Ingredients Will You Need To Make Cullen Skink?
- Haddock – Haddock fish has mild sweet flavors and it’s perfect for soups and stews.
- Unsalted Butter – Sauté vegetables in the unsalted butter.
- Milk – Give a creamy texture to the cullen skink by adding milk.
- Potatoes – Add potatoes for the wholesome meal. Also, they add good carbs in the soup.
- Onion – For pungent flavors and aroma, add chopped onions.
- Parsley – Add fresh flavor to the soup by adding parsley.

Steps To Make Cullen Skink
1. Simmer It
Melt the butter in a pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, and fry for eight minutes until the onions turn brown. Add the peeled and cubed potatoes, and two cups of water to the pan. Bring the mixture to a boil.
Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for ten to fifteen minutes. In a separate pan, place the smoked haddock, and add enough milk to fully cover it. Cook over medium heat for six minutes.
Remove the haddock from the milk and let it rest for a few minutes. Flake the haddock into large pieces and remove any bones.
2. Back To The Pan
Add the flaked haddock back into the milk pan along with the potato mixture. Cook over medium heat for 6 minutes. Season with salt to taste. Sprinkle chopped parsley on top for garnish and serve hot.
Nutritional Information
Calories | 207 kcal |
Carbohydrates | 21 g |
Protein | 17 g |
Fat | 6 g |
Saturated Fat | 4 g |
Fiber | 3 g |
Sugar | 6 g |
How Will Cullen Skink Look And Taste Like?
Cullen skink is a classic Scottish soup that’s known for its rich, creamy texture and smoky flavor. This soup has a thick, creamy consistency with small flakes of smoked haddock.
The color is light beige or cream color, with some green flecks from parsley on top. It’s hearty and filling, but not overly heavy, making it a great choice for a winter lunch or dinner.
Recipe Card
Cullen Skink Recipe
Equipment
- Cooking Pan
- Spatula
Ingredients
- 1 Onion
- 1 tbsp Unsalted Butter
- 250 g Smoked Haddock
- 400 g Peeled Potatoes
- ½ Bunch Parsley
- 250 ml Whole Milk
Instructions
- Take a pan and add in the melted butter. Then, put it on medium flame and add in the onions. Fry them for about 7-8 minutes until their color changes to brown.
- Now, add in the potatoes that are cut into small cubes along with 2 cups of water and boil them.
- Put the flame on low and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes.
- Now, place the haddock in a pan and add in milk until it is fully covered. Then, cook it on a medium flame for about 6 minutes till it gets soft.
- Take out the haddock and keep it still for some time and then flake it into large pieces and remove the bones.
- Add the haddock back into the milk pan along with the mixture prepared earlier and let it cook on a medium flame for 6 minutes.
- At last, season it with salt and sprinkle parsley over it and serve.
Video
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What kind of haddock should I use for cullen skink?
You should use smoked haddock for cullen skink. You can use either dyed or undyed haddock.
Can I make cullen skink without cream?
Yes, you can make cullen skink without cream. Instead, you can use milk or a combination of milk and stock to achieve the desired consistency.
Can I freeze cullen skink?
Yes, you can freeze cullen skink. Allow the soup to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.
What can I serve with cullen skink?
Cullen skink is often served with crusty bread or oatcakes on the side. You can also add a dollop of sour cream or crème fraîche on top for extra creaminess.
Conclusion
Cullen skink has a major history about it’s origin and taste. People in Scotland adore this soup. It is a delicious and hearty soup that’s perfect for a cold winter day. You should definitely give it a try if you haven’t already!