Irish Soda Bread

Irish Soda Bread is an authentic and tasty side to accompany your St. Patrick’s Day meal. No yeast, no waiting for it to rise, super easy to make! 

Our traditional St. Patrick’s Day meal just isn’t complete without a warm loaf of this Irish soda bread. It’s so easy to make that it takes no time at all and really adds to the meal. Because it’s got such a mild flavor, and there’s no yeast or rising involved, it’s an ideal quick bread that can be made any night of the week!

This Irish soda bread tastes delicious with soups and stews, sliced up with cheese melted on top, or just spread with butter and jam. It has a biscuit-like texture and a unique flavor that is well-liked. Try it and see for yourself, it’s so yummy!

Traditional Irish Soda Bread Ingredients

Stir together the dry ingredients then combine the remainder to make this easy soda bread recipe! Use a lightly floured surface to knead that bread then bake it until golden brown. It is a quick and easy bread that can be enjoyed with any meal!

• Flour – All purpose flour is the thickener of the bread. It is the base that keeps the bread together.
• Sugar – Adds in the sweetness!
• Baking powder and baking soda – Combining these two ingredients help build and lift the bread as it is baking in the oven.
• Salt – Balances out the flavor and texture of the bread.
• Caraway seeds – These have a unique flavor to them making this a traditional Irish bread.
• Butter – Use cold unsalted butter and use a pastry blender to give the bread that crumbly texture.
• Sour cream – Softens the bread and gives it moisture as well as flavor.
• Egg – One large egg. This is what binds the bread together and gives it that sticky texture.
• Buttermilk – Since this is similar to quick bread the buttermilk tenderizes the bread and breaks down the stands of gluten helping it become soft while baking. You can make your own buttermilk mixture by combining a cup of whole milk with a teaspoon of lemon juice or white vinegar.

What is Irish Soda Bread?

Irish Soda Bread is traditionally made with caraway seed, which I love. It gives the bread a unique flavor and bites to it. If you are not a fan of the Caraway flavor you can easily leave it out. The taste is very mild otherwise and has a similar flavor and texture to biscuits. Originally, Irish Soda Bread was baked in a cast iron skillet, Dutch oven, griddles or in a cast iron pan, since kitchens in old Ireland had kitchens with open hearths instead of ovens. Legend says that in Ireland, a cross was always cut on top of the loaf to ward off evil spirits and protect the household. I also think it looks pretty with the slices on top.

Steps to Making the Best Irish Soda Bread Recipe

This Irish soda bread recipe is simple to make and has all the flavor! The flour mixture is easy to blend together and combined with the liquid ingredients the homemade bread comes together quickly and easily!

1. Mix – Heat the oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and caraway seed.
2. Whisk – Cut in the butter using a pastry blender or whisk until thoroughly combined.
3. Combine – Mix in the egg, sour cream, and buttermilk until you have a sticky dough.
4. Knead – Pour the dough out onto a floured work surface and knead until soft, adding more flour as needed.
5. Bake – Place dough into a 9-inch round pan (I just used a glass pie pan) or on a baking sheet and cut a deep x in the center. Use parchment paper or cooking spray. Bake until a nice golden brown.
6. Serve – Brush with a little melted butter. Cool at room temperature on a wire rack. Slice with a sharp knife or a serrated knife when serving.

“Made this for my first time! I wanted to have it with the Irish Stew I was making on this chilly rainy day to compliment it. Both were delicious! This is added to my favorites! Moist and tasty bread!😋”

-Suz

Frequently Asked Questions

READ MORE: 30+ St. Patrick’s Day Ideas

How to Serve Irish Soda Bread

Make a complete meal with this Irish soda bread recipe. It is always a highlight during St. Patrick’s Day but can also be made throughout the year. It is a quick bread that can be enjoyed on any given night. Add a few more recipes to make a meal that can be enjoyed together!

• Our Irish Soda Bread pairs perfectly with our Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage, our traditional St. Patrick’s Day meal.
• Serve it alongside our Irish Beef Stew. Use the crust to dip into the stew. YUM!
• Slice the bread and use it to make a Corned Beef Sandwich.
• Whip up some delicious Shamrock Shakes and serve slices of bread as a snack after school.
• Check out our Top 10 St. Patrick’s Day Recipes post for more ideas on how to use Irish Soda Bread.

Storing the Best Irish Soda Bread

Place the leftover soda bread into an airtight container or cover it with aluminum foil and leave it at room temperature for five to seven days. You can even cover it in plastic wrap or a ziplock bag for storage to help keep the bread from becoming too crusty and hard.

How to Make Irish Soda Bread