Ploughman's Lunch

A Ploughman's Lunch is a traditional British cold meal, typically consisting of a hunk of crusty bread, a generous portion of cheese, pickles, and sometimes ham or apples. It's a simple, rustic platter that celebrates high-quality, often local, ingredients. The name evokes the idea of a hearty, no-fuss meal a field worker might carry.

🍳 View the full Ploughman's Lunch recipe →

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This dish is generally high in protein and fat from the cheese and meat, with carbohydrates coming primarily from the bread. It provides key nutrients like calcium, protein, and fats, with a typical serving ranging from 500 to 800 calories depending on portion sizes and specific ingredients chosen.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	550 kcal
Protein	25 g
Carbs	30 g
Fat	35 g
Fiber	4 g
Sugar	8 g
Sodium	1200 mg
Calcium	350 mg
Iron	2.5 mg
Potassium	400 mg
Vitamin A	150 µg RAE
Vitamin C	15 mg
Vitamin B12	1.2 µg
Phosphorus	450 mg
Selenium	15 µg

Per 1 typical serving (approx. 250 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

The Ploughman's Lunch is a fascinating example of food marketing; its popularity was significantly boosted in the 1950s and 60s by the English Country Cheese Council's campaign to promote cheese sales. Nutritionally, it's a balanced, low-sugar meal that relies on fermentation (cheese, pickles) for preservation and flavor, making it a historically practical and satisfying lunch.