Coronation Quiche
Coronation Quiche is a medium British recipe that serves 6. 350 calories per serving. Recipe by KeefCooks on YouTube.
Prep: 1 hr 7 min | Cook: 50 min | Total: 2 hrs 12 min
Cost: $19.15 total, $3.19 per serving
Ingredients
- 200 grams All-Purpose Flour (plain, sifted for pastry dough)
- 75 grams Unsalted Butter (cold, cut into small bits for pastry)
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt (kosher or table salt)
- 2-3 tablespoons Water (cold, add gradually until dough comes together)
- 250 grams Fresh Spinach (washed, trimmed; wilted and drained)
- 1 tablespoon Unsalted Butter (for sautéing spinach)
- 175 ml Double Cream (full‑fat heavy cream)
- 125 ml Milk (whole milk)
- 3 large Eggs (room temperature)
- 150 grams Mature Cheddar Cheese (grated, sharp)
- 100 grams Broad Beans (Edamame) (frozen; boiled and drained)
- 1 tablespoon Fresh Tarragon (chopped)
- 0.25 teaspoon White Pepper (to taste)
- 1 tablespoon Unsalted Butter (for greasing the flan tin)
Instructions
Make Pastry Dough
Combine the flour and salt in a mixing bowl, rub the cold butter bits into the flour with fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse sand, then add water a tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just comes together.
Time: PT10M
Chill the Dough
Form the dough into a flat disc, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Time: PT30M
Preheat Oven
Preheat a convection/air‑fryer oven to 170°C (190°C for a conventional oven).
Time: PT10M
Temperature: 170°C
Roll Out Pastry
Lightly flour a work surface and rolling pin, roll the chilled dough to about 5 mm (¼ in) thickness, then gently lift and fit it into the 23 cm flan tin, trimming excess.
Time: PT10M
Grease the Tin
Smear a tablespoon of butter over the inside of the flan tin to prevent sticking.
Time: PT2M
Cook Spinach
Melt a tablespoon of butter in a saucepan over medium heat, add the fresh spinach, season with a pinch of salt, and cook until wilted (3‑4 minutes). Transfer to a colander, press to remove as much liquid as possible, and let cool.
Time: PT5M
Prepare Custard Filling
In a large mixing bowl whisk together the double cream, milk, eggs, a pinch of salt, white pepper, and the chopped fresh tarragon until smooth.
Time: PT5M
Assemble Quiche
Sprinkle half of the grated cheddar on the bottom of the pastry, scatter the boiled broad beans, add the drained spinach, pour the custard mixture over everything, and finish with the remaining cheese on top.
Time: PT5M
Bake
Place the filled quiche in the preheated oven and bake for 35‑40 minutes, or until the centre is set and the top is golden.
Time: PT40M
Temperature: 170°C
Rest and Serve
Remove the quiche from the oven, let it rest in the tin for about 10 minutes, then release the removable bottom, slice, and serve warm or at room temperature.
Time: PT10M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 350
- Protein
- 12 g
- Carbohydrates
- 15 g
- Fat
- 25 g
- Fiber
- 2 g
Dietary info: Vegetarian, Contains dairy, Contains gluten
Allergens: Dairy, Eggs, Gluten
Ingredient Substitutions
- Instead of All-Purpose Flour: Cake Flour
- Instead of Unsalted Butter: Margarine
- Instead of Water: Milk
- Instead of Fresh Spinach: Frozen spinach (thawed and drained)
- Instead of Unsalted Butter: Olive oil
- Instead of Double Cream: Half‑and‑half
- Instead of Milk: 2% milk
- Instead of Eggs: Egg substitute
- Instead of Mature Cheddar Cheese: Gruyère
- Instead of Broad Beans (Edamame): Green peas
- Instead of Fresh Tarragon: 1 teaspoon dried tarragon
- Instead of White Pepper: Black pepper
- Instead of Unsalted Butter: Oil
Equipment Needed
- Mixing Bowl
- Rolling Pin
- Whisk
- Saucepan
- Colander
- Flan Dish with Removable Bottom
- Plastic Wrap (optional)
- Knife
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Oven (or Air‑Fryer Oven)
Critical Steps — Do Not Skip
- Forming a cohesive pastry dough without over‑mixing
- Removing excess moisture from cooked spinach
- Ensuring the custard filling is not overfilled
- Baking until fully set without over‑browning
Chef Tips from the Video
- Use cold butter and handle the dough quickly to keep the pastry flaky.
- A pinch of freshly grated nutmeg in the custard adds a subtle depth that pairs well with tarragon.
- If fresh tarragon is unavailable, crush the dried version between your palms to release its aroma before adding.
Troubleshooting
Quiche is watery or does not set
Make sure the spinach is thoroughly squeezed dry and do not over‑fill the crust; bake a few minutes longer if needed.
Pastry is soggy at the bottom
Blind‑bake the crust for 8‑10 minutes before adding the filling, or place a sheet of parchment with beans as a weight.
Crust shrinks or cracks while baking
Chill the dough well before rolling and avoid over‑handling; gently press the dough into the tin without stretching.
Storage
Refrigerator: Cover tightly and store for up to 3 days
Freezer: Wrap individual slices in foil and freeze for up to 1 month
Room temperature: Do not store at room temperature for more than 2 hours
Make-Ahead Tips
- Bake the quiche a day ahead, cool completely, then refrigerate; reheat slices in a 150°C oven for 10 minutes
- The pastry can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance and kept chilled
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cultural significance and history of Coronation Quiche in British royal celebrations?
Coronation Quiche is not a historic royal recipe like Coronation Chicken, but it reflects the modern British palate for elegant, vegetable‑forward dishes served at state luncheons. The quiche’s ingredients—spinach, broad beans, and tarragon—are classic British garden produce that have become associated with royal catering for their fresh, seasonal appeal.
What traditional regional variations of quiche exist within British cuisine?
While quiche is originally French, British adaptations often include local ingredients such as Lancashire cheese, leeks, or smoked haddock. In the north of England, you might find a “Yorkshire quiche” with pork belly and sage, whereas a “Cornish quiche” could feature crab and Cornish sea salt.
How is Coronation Quiche traditionally served at a royal luncheon?
At a royal luncheon the quiche is typically sliced into neat wedges, served warm on a fine china platter, and accompanied by a light green salad and a glass of sparkling wine or a non‑alcoholic elderflower spritz. It is presented as a starter or a light main course alongside other seasonal vegetables.
What occasions or celebrations is Coronation Quiche traditionally associated with in British culture?
Although newly created for King Charles III’s coronation, quiche is a popular choice for British celebrations such as garden parties, tea‑time buffets, and festive brunches because it can be made ahead and served at room temperature.
What makes Coronation Quiche special or unique in British cuisine?
Its uniqueness lies in the combination of fresh tarragon—a herb more common in French cooking—with British staples like broad beans and mature cheddar, creating a bridge between classic French technique and British seasonal produce.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making Coronation Quiche?
Common errors include under‑draining the spinach, which leads to a soggy filling; over‑mixing the pastry dough, which makes it tough; and over‑filling the crust, which prevents the custard from setting properly. Following the moisture‑control steps is key.
Why does this Coronation Quiche recipe skip blind‑baking the pastry?
KeefCooks found that a well‑chilled dough and a short pre‑bake are optional; skipping blind‑baking saves time and still yields a crisp base as long as the filling isn’t overly liquid. The recipe emphasizes proper spinach drainage to avoid a soggy crust.
Can I make Coronation Quiche ahead of time and how should I store it?
Yes, bake the quiche a day ahead, let it cool completely, then wrap tightly and refrigerate. It keeps well for up to three days and can be reheated gently in a 150°C oven. For longer storage, freeze individual slices wrapped in foil.
What texture and appearance should I look for when the Coronation Quiche is done?
The top should be lightly golden with the cheese melted and slightly browned. The centre will be set but still slightly wobbly—similar to a custard—that will firm up as it rests. A clean knife slice without liquid pooling indicates it’s fully cooked.
What does the YouTube channel KeefCooks specialize in?
The YouTube channel KeefCooks focuses on approachable home‑cooking tutorials, often adding a humorous twist while tackling classic British and European dishes, and providing practical tips for everyday cooks.
How does the YouTube channel KeefCooks' approach to British cooking differ from other cooking channels?
KeefCooks blends humor with detailed, step‑by‑step explanations, often testing and improving traditional recipes (like skipping blind‑baking) to make them more accessible. The channel emphasizes troubleshooting common pitfalls, which sets it apart from more polished but less instructional cooking shows.
Last updated: September 2, 2026
