Traditional Irish Soda Bread Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links. See our affiliate policy here.
This traditional Soda Bread Recipe is SO easy to make (no major kneading or rising) and goes perfectly with a hearty beef or lamb stew, as well as a wonderful complement to a hearty soup!
Step-by-step photos and instructions are below. Jump to the recipe card if you wish!
I’ll use any excuse to make homemade bread, St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) or not! This bread is SO easy and makes a really great addition to any kind of stew or soup recipe. A thick chunk of bread always screams “comfort” to me.
Because it takes no time to rise like a yeast bread, you can have this bread made in under an hour. That’s kind of awesome, don’t you think!?
Everyone needs a good soda bread recipe, and this is mine!
Irish Soda Bread history
Back in the “old days” when money was tight and ingredients hard to come by, traditional Irish Bread was born out of need.
Making bread with available and affordable ingredients was the main motivation. Most people had access to “soft” wheat flour (lower in gluten – ie, cake flour), baking soda, salt and soured milk. Soured milk was used because of the high acidity – these days of course, we use buttermilk! I use baking
This is a great recipe for anyone who wants to try their hand at soda bread!
Check out my Irish Nachos for another fun recipe to make to celebrate!
Why you’ll love this
- Basic ingredients, that you likely already have at home.
- This is a pretty fool proof bread. It’s an easy quick bread recipe that is hard to mess up! Make sure you have fresh ingredients (there’s nothing like stale baking soda to mess up your soda bread).
- This is a no knead, no rise bread. Just mix, shape and bake.
FAQs
I do it because it allows the bread to expand in a controlled way, vs the shaggy/jagged tears that occur if you don’t cut it.
Traditionally – it was because it was believed that the cross on the top would ward off evil and protect the household.
The simple answer is, any shape you like. However, I make my Irish Soda Bread into a round loaf (like those in Southern Ireland) vs how the do it in the north (cut the dough into triangles and cook on a griddle)
Not a scientific method, but it sounds hollow when tapped lightly on the top of the bread.
This bread works as a result of the chemical reaction between the acidic sour milk (we use buttermilk) and baking soda, which forms small bubbles of carbon dioxide in the dough.
Shaping Tip
Pat it into shape, don’t knead it to make it smooth. Shaggy is GOOD!
What to serve with Irish Soda Bread
Pretty much anything. Depending on if you use raisins or not, this hearty bread goes well with beef or lamb stew, with a little butter spread on, or dunked in soup.
Personally, I like to eat it for breakfast slathered with salty Irish butter, along with a cup of tea.
Step-by-step photos and tips and tricks are below. Jump to the full recipe card instead
Key Recipe Ingredients
Note: This highlights some ingredients. Full list is in the recipe card.
- Flour. Regular. All-purpose white flour. Cake flour has typically been used for soda bread, but I don’t usually have it on hand, so I use all-purpose flour.
- Sugar. Plain white sugar.
- Salt. I use kosher salt.
- Baking Soda. Also known as bicarbonate of soda, this is the only leavening agent in the bread, so make sure it’s fresh! Some people use baking powder (which is just baking soda with some cream of tartar added). If that is what you have, use that in place of the baking soda.
- Butter. You may use salted or unsalted. Just be sure it is very cold, as room temperature butter will not work as well.
- Raisins. These are optional.
- Buttermilk. You can sub this for homemade buttermilk using white vinegar or lemon juice. This is one of the ingredients that flavor the bread and gives it the tang, so don’t try to use regular milk.
- Egg. I use large eggs in my recipes.
Would you like to save this recipe?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
How to make this recipe
This is a step-by-step photo guide. Full ingredients and instructions are in the printable recipe card below.
JumpGet prepped
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a skillet or baking sheet and set aside.
Make the dough
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt and baking soda until well combined.
Use a pastry cutter or large fork to incorporate the cold butter into the flour mixture until well-distributed and dry ingredients resemble clumpy sand.
Stir in the raisins and set aside.
In a small bowl or large measuring cup, beat together the buttermilk and egg until well-combined.
Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the milk-egg mixture. Use a wooden spoon to stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until you’re unable to stir anymore, then use your hands to continue kneading the dough, at least 2 minutes until no longer sticky and the dough forms a cohesive ball.
(Avoid adding more flour to the dough for at least a minute – it will be sticky at first but should become less sticky with kneading.)
Cut and bake
Shape the dough lightly on a floured work surface, then place the ball of dough onto the prepared skillet or a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Use a sharp knife (a serrated knife) to cut a deep cross in the center of the dough to allow steam to escape.
Bake for 45 minutes (up to 55 minutes), until golden brown and an inserted toothpick comes out clean. If you tap the top of the bread and it gives a hollow sound, you know it’s done!
Set on a wire rack, until completely cooled before slicing.
Kylee’s Notes
Don’t overmix the dough – it needs to be shaggy so you get the craggy crust (see the pics for reference) Pat it into shape, don’t knead it to make it smooth. Shaggy is GOOD!
Substitutions/Additions
Leave out the raisins and add cheddar and bacon bits to the dough – you’ll have a non-traditional loaf, but it will be delicious!
Brush the top of the loaf with leftover buttermilk, if you have it.
Freezing instructions
This recipe can be frozen after baking. I recommend cutting into slices and freezing, then pulling out a slice or two at a time. Wrap in aluminum foil and store in a freezer bag until ready to use.
More delicious bread recipes:
- Red Lobster Biscuits. Soft, fluffy biscuits packed with cheddar cheese, and brushed with flavorful garlic butter after baking, these cheddar biscuits are dreamy!
- Maple Oat Skillet Bread – A gorgeous loaf, with a delicious crumb! This Maple Oat Skillet Bread is hearty, delicious and perfect for toasting, sandwiches, or eating with soup. Perfect for Fall! Yum!
- Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls. Quick and easy to make, these deliciously soft Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls make the perfect amount for your family! They make a hearty side to any dinner. Yum!
- Fluffy Golden Skillet Cornbread – a cinch to make, and is a fantastic side for any meal!
- 30 Minute Dinner Rolls – Make these dinner rolls from scratch in just about 30 minutes!! These are great for holidays, weeknights, basically – any time you need them. Using a stand mixer and simple ingredients, you can have these homemade rolls on the table FAST!!
Get free recipes in your inbox!
Find me on Pinterest, Facebook & Instagram.
If you make this recipe, please comment and let me know how it turned out and leave a star rating! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Irish Soda Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 4 tablespoons butter cold and cut into cubes
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 egg
Instructions
Get prepped
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Grease a skillet or baking sheet and set aside.
Make the dough
- In a large bowl, whisk together 4 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons white sugar, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon baking soda until well combined.
- Use a pastry cutter or large fork to incorporate the cold 4 tablespoons butter into the flour mixture until well-distributed and dry ingredients resemble clumpy sand.
- Stir in 1 cup raisins and set aside.
- In a small bowl or large measuring cup, beat together 1 3/4 cup buttermilk and 1 egguntil well-combined.
- Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the milk-egg mixture. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until you’re unable to stir anymore, then use your hands to continue kneading the dough, at least 2 minutes until no longer sticky and the dough forms a cohesive ball. (Avoid the desire to add more flour to the dough for at least a minute – it will be sticky at first but should become less sticky with kneading.)
Cut and bake
- Place the ball of dough onto the prepared skillet or cookie sheet.
- Use a sharp knife to cut a large X-shape in the center of the dough to allow steam to escape.
- Bake for 45-55 minutes, until golden brown and an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
Video
Notes
- Don’t overmix the dough – it needs to be shaggy
- Pat it into shape, don’t knead it to make it smooth. Shaggy is GOOD!
- Add cheddar and bacon bits to the dough – you’ll have a non traditional loaf, but it will be delicious!
Would you like to save this recipe?
We’ll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Did you make this recipe?
Make sure to follow @kyleecooks on Instagram for more and tag me #kyleecooks so I can see!Update: This recipe was originally published in March of 2018. It was republished with updated photos in March of 2022.
About Kylee Ayotte
I am a born and raised New Zealander (a Kiwi), now living in Phoenix, Arizona. I’m happily married to the love of my life – a hot American boy I met while traveling the world. I’m a mama to 2 awesome little boys and love red things, rugby, cheesecake, and bacon. Mmmmm. Bacon. Meet Kylee
I made a similar version of this bread a while ago, but added cheddar cheese and rosemary. Such a simple and delicious bread – and one you can add flavours to as well! PS My favourite part of this recipe is “shaggy.” 🙂
I love to make Irish Soda Bread for our St. Patrick’s Day meal. I typically make it in a cast iron, but I am going to try this method this year! I agree that there is something satisfying and hearty about a thick slice of bread!
Haven’t had this before but it looks YUMMY! And I love any kind of bread that is quick & easy to make.
We are so happy with this recipe. It turned out beautifully. We enjoyed a slice this morning for breakfast and fighting the urge for a second piece. This recipe is a keeper!
so i don’t really bake bread because, well, it’s such a hassle and time consuming. but ts bread . no kneading, easy ingredients, pretty time friendly. love it!