🇬🇧 British Essentials I Always Reorder in the USA
Missing Yorkshire Tea, Heinz Beans, Cadbury, or other UK favourites?
I’ve put together my personal collection of British foods, drinks, and everyday essentials that I regularly reorder while living in America.
Moving from the UK to the USA comes with plenty of surprises. While Americans and Brits speak the same language, there are countless everyday habits, foods, and traditions that feel completely normal in Britain but leave Americans scratching their heads.
After living in America for over 15 years, there are still certain British things I miss, explain regularly, and sometimes have shipped across the Atlantic just to feel a little more at home.
If you’re a Brit living in the USA, you’ll probably recognise every item on this list.
1. Tea Isn’t Just a Drink—It’s a Lifestyle
In Britain, tea solves everything:
- Bad day? Have a cup of tea.
- Good news? Have a cup of tea.
- Someone visits? Put the kettle on.
Many Americans drink coffee throughout the day, but for Brits, a proper brew is often non-negotiable.
My favourites:
2. Electric Kettles Are Essential Kitchen Equipment
Many American homes don’t own an electric kettle. Most Americans heat water in a microwave or on the stove, which shocks many Brits. An electric kettle is usually one of the first purchases many UK expats make after moving to America.
3. Beans on Toast Is a Perfectly Acceptable Meal
Mention beans on toast to an American and you’ll probably get a confused look. To Brits, it’s a quick, comforting, inexpensive meal that we’ve been eating for decades. The key difference is that British baked beans are sweeter and have a completely different flavour than American baked beans.
4. Marmite: You Either Love It or Hate It
Few foods divide opinion quite like Marmite. Americans are often fascinated by it, while Brits already know exactly where they stand. Love it or hate it, it’s one of the most requested British products among expats living abroad. Plus, don’t forget the Branston Pickle!
5. Hot Water Bottles Are Winter Essentials
Many Americans rely on electric blankets or space heaters. Brits often reach for a hot water bottle. Whether you’re dealing with cold nights, aches and pains, or simply trying to stay cosy, hot water bottles remain incredibly popular in the UK.
6. Queueing Is Practically a National Sport
Brits take queueing seriously. Whether it’s waiting for a bus, buying groceries, or boarding a plane, standing in an orderly line is deeply ingrained in British culture. Americans often find British queue etiquette surprisingly strict. Cutting in line? That’s practically a criminal offence in Britain.
7. We Put Vinegar on Chips
Americans generally use ketchup. Brits use salt and vinegar. A proper portion of fish and chips simply isn’t complete without it. This is one of those small food differences that surprises Americans every time.
8. British Slang Sounds Like a Different Language
Even though Brits and Americans both speak English, some everyday British phrases completely confuse Americans.
For example:
- “I’m knackered” = I’m exhausted
- “Fancy a cuppa?” = Would you like some tea?
- “I’m popping to the loo” = I’m going to the bathroom
- “That’s brilliant!” = That’s great
- “Stop faffing about” = Stop wasting time
- “I’m skint” = I have no money
- “It’s chucking it down” = It’s raining heavily
One of the funniest parts of living in America is realizing how many British expressions you’ve used your entire life that Americans have never heard before. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve had to explain words like “dodgy,” “mate,” “brolly,” “jumper,” or “gobsmacked.” After a while, you start speaking a strange mix of British and American English just so everyone understands what you’re talking about!
9. British Chocolate Tastes Different
Many Brits find American chocolate sweeter than what they’re used to. That’s why products like:
remain popular purchases among British expats.
10. Squash Isn’t a Vegetable
Ask an American for squash and you’ll likely get a vegetable. Ask a Brit and you’ll get a concentrated fruit drink. Brands like Robinsons remain a staple in British households and can be surprisingly difficult to find in America.
11. Sunday Roasts Are a Weekly Tradition
For many British families, Sunday means:
- Roast potatoes
- Yorkshire puddings
- Gravy
- Roast meat
While Americans have Thanksgiving, Brits enjoy a mini version every week. A proper Sunday roast is one of the traditions many expats miss most.
👉 Traditional British Roast Condiments
12. British Sweets Just Hit Different
Every Brit has a favourite. Some swear by:
Others can’t resist a Cadbury selection box. Whatever your favourite, these are often among the first items Brits order when homesickness strikes.
The British Essentials I Reorder Every Year
After more than a decade living in America, these are the products I continue to buy again and again:
Tea
• Yorkshire Tea
• PG Tips
Pantry Staples
• Heinz Baked Beans
• Marmite
• Branston Pickle
Sweet Treats
• Cadbury Dairy Milk
• Maltesers
• Fruit Pastilles
• Cadbury Hot Chocolate
Home Comforts
• Hot Water Bottle
• Electric Kettle
If you’re missing a little piece of home, these are the items I recommend starting with.
Final Thoughts
Living in America has introduced me to plenty of new foods, traditions, and experiences, but there are certain British habits I’ll probably never give up.
Whether it’s putting the kettle on, eating beans on toast, or stocking up on Yorkshire Tea, these small comforts help make America feel a little more like home.
What British thing do you miss most living in the USA?
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- Amazon Home Setup for New US Apartments
- Moving to the USA from the UK: The Ultimate 2026 Checklist
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