This traditional recipe for Irish soda bread makes a fluffy, golden loaf that’s ready for your corned beef and cabbage dinner in under an hour.
This is the ultimate quick bread for those times you can’t wait for the dough to rise, or if you just want to add some fragrant, homemade goodness to your table.
Irish soda bread is delicious slathered with butter, or dunked into gravy, or crumbled into soup!
![The best recipe for Irish soda bread is easy to follow! Begin by mixing flour, baking soda, and salt. Incorporate tangy buttermilk to achieve the perfect texture, then shape the dough and place it in a preheated Dutch oven for that authentic taste. Bake until golden brown, and savor the delightful aroma of this classic Irish favorite. #irishsodabread #recipeforirishsodabread #ourzestylife #bestirishsodabreadrecipe loaf of Best Irish Soda Bread Recipe with a bar of butter](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Best-Irish-Soda-Bread-Recipe-OurZestyLife-10.jpg)
What is Irish Soda Bread?
Irish soda bread originated in Ireland in the 1800s, when baking soda first emerged as a leavening agent. The dough is mixed and shaped into a round loaf, and then cut into wedges that are perfect for dunking or slathering with butter. Its texture and mild flavor might remind you of biscuits, or savory scones, although it is denser. Traditionally, soda bread was cooked in iron pots on an open hearth. Today you can get the same delicious, crusty texture and home baked flavor using a Dutch oven in the stove.
Irresistible Irish Soda Bread!
- Irish soda bread bakes to a golden brown round loaf, that gives rustic homemade appeal to your table.
- Quick and easy to make, this recipe delivers the heavenly aroma and flavor of homemade bread, but without the wait!
- Wedges of soda bread make a delicious snack for your coffee break, especially when served with jam or strawberry butter.
![Indulge in the aroma and flavor of this traditional recipe for Irish soda bread. This easy homemade loaf is soft and moist, made with simple ingredients like flour, butter, buttermilk, and baking soda. Enjoy it alongside corned beef and cabbage for a complete meal. Bake it in a Dutch oven for a crispy crust that adds to its irresistible appeal! #irishsodabread #recipeforirishsodabread #ourzestylife #bestirishsodabreadrecipe flour , buttermilk , butter , baking soda , salt with labels to make Irish Soda Bread](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IG-Best-Irish-Soda-Bread-Recipe-OurZestyLife-1.jpg)
Ingredients & Variations
Flour – For the best loft and moist crumb, use all purpose white flour. You can also use wheat flour or your favorite gluten free blend. The texture will be quite dense and less moist with whole wheat.
Buttermilk – Buttermilk is fermented, and will react with the baking soda to produce air bubbles and a fluffy, light texture! You can also use milk if that’s all you have.
Baking Soda – Check the expiration date. Although baking soda does not “spoil,” and can be used past it’s expiration date, it will loose some of its potency over time.
Butter – Use cold butter straight from the refrigerator, either salted or unsalted, and cut it into cubes before adding. You can also use shortening, but you might find the bread to be more bland than you’d like.
Variations – Add raisins or currents and a little sugar for a sweet, scone-like bread. For savory herbal tones add or top with poppy or caraway seeds, or add rosemary, dill, or thyme to the dough.
![Make this homemade recipe for Irish soda bread and serve with your corned beef and cabbage dinner! It’s the ultimate quick bread that requires no kneading, and no rising. Just mix flour, butter, buttermilk and, of couse baking soda! Bake it in a hot oven inside a Dutch oven to get a perfect golden brown, crusty loaf of bread. Slice into wedges and serve warm with butter. #irishsodabread #recipeforirishsodabread #ourzestylife #bestirishsodabreadrecipe whisking dry ingredients to make Best Irish Soda Bread Recipe](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Best-Irish-Soda-Bread-Recipe-OurZestyLife-2.jpg)
![Make this recipe for Irish soda bread and enjoy an Irish style side fit for a king! It's super quick and simple to make - no kneading or waiting. Combine flour, baking soda, and a hint of salt in a bowl, then gently stir in tangy buttermilk until just combined. Pop it in the oven in a Dutch oven for that crispy, golden finish! #irishsodabread #recipeforirishsodabread #ourzestylife #bestirishsodabreadrecipe adding butter to dry ingredients to make Best Irish Soda Bread Recipe](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Best-Irish-Soda-Bread-Recipe-OurZestyLife-3.jpg)
![Enjoy an Irish style loaf along with corned beef and cabbage this St. Patrick's Day! This easy homemade recipe for Irish soda bread is quick and simple to make. No need for kneading or waiting. It's a breeze to make with flour, butter, buttermilk, and baking soda. Pop it in the oven in a Dutch oven for that crispy, golden finish! #irishsodabread #recipeforirishsodabread #ourzestylife #bestirishsodabreadrecipe cutting butter in dry ingredients to make Best Irish Soda Bread Recipe](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Best-Irish-Soda-Bread-Recipe-OurZestyLife-4.jpg)
![Make this simple recipe for Irish soda bread and make the most moist and delightful loaf. Combine flour, baking soda, and a hint of salt in a bowl, then gently stir in tangy buttermilk until just combined. Transfer the dough to a preheated Dutch oven, shaping it into a round before scoring the top. Bake until golden brown and enjoy slices of this classic bread, perfect for any occasion. #irishsodabread #recipeforirishsodabread #ourzestylife #bestirishsodabreadrecipe adding wet ingredients to dry ingredients to make Best Irish Soda Bread Recipe](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Best-Irish-Soda-Bread-Recipe-OurZestyLife-5.jpg)
How to Make Irish Soda Bread
- Preheat oven to 450° and line a Dutch oven with parchment.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking and salt, as per recipe instructions below.
- Add cubes of cold butter and cut in with a fork or pastry blender until crumbly.
- Stir in the buttermilk a little at a time. Dough will be sticky and lumpy.
- Transfer to the Dutch oven and shape into a round ball, and score an “X” in the top.
- Cover and bake for 35 minutes. Then remove cover and bake another 10-12 minutes until golden brown.
![This recipe for Irish soda bread is easy to make and will add a delightful touch to your St. Patrick's Day feast! It's an easy homemade loaf that's fluffy and moist, perfect alongside your corned beef and cabbage. No fuss and simple ingredients. Just combine flour, butter, buttermilk, and baking soda for a delicious result. Bake it in a hot Dutch oven for that irresistible golden crust! #irishsodabread #recipeforirishsodabread #ourzestylife #bestirishsodabreadrecipe mixing ingredients for Best Irish Soda Bread Recipe](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Best-Irish-Soda-Bread-Recipe-OurZestyLife-6.jpg)
![This recipe for Irish soda bread delivers a moist and fluffy homemade loaf to serve with your corned beef and cabbage dinner! It’s the ultimate quick bread that requires no kneading, and no rising. Just mix flour, butter, buttermilk and, of couse baking soda! Bake it in a hot oven inside a Dutch oven to get a perfect golden brown, crusty loaf of bread. Slice into wedges and serve warm with butter. #irishsodabread #recipeforirishsodabread #ourzestylife #bestirishsodabreadrecipe Best Irish Soda Bread Recipe dough in a pot](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Best-Irish-Soda-Bread-Recipe-OurZestyLife-8.jpg)
![This is the best recipe for Irish soda bread! It is simple to make and produces a moist and flavorful loaf. Start by preheating your Dutch oven while you mix together flour, baking soda, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Next, gently fold in tangy buttermilk until a soft dough forms, then shape it into a round and place it in the Dutch oven. Bake until golden brown and enjoy slices of this deliciously moist bread with butter or jam. #irishsodabread #recipeforirishsodabread #ourzestylife #bestirishsodabreadrecipe Best Irish Soda Bread Recipe in the pot](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Best-Irish-Soda-Bread-Recipe-OurZestyLife-9.jpg)
Tips & Tricks
- Irish soda bread is best when fresh, so plan to consume it within a day or two at most. To retain the crusty texture for a day, store it in a paper bag.
- Use a long sheet of parchment to line the Dutch oven. Then you can just lift the loaf out of the hot oven without a struggle!
- If you don’t have a Dutch oven, you can bake it in a parchment lined oven-safe pot or cast iron skillet with a foil cover.
![For the best Irish soda bread recipe, start with a simple recipe that is easy to make! Combine flour, baking soda, and salt, before incorporating buttermilk for a traditional flavor. Bake in a Dutch oven for a crispy crust and tender interior—a perfect blend of simplicity and tradition. #irishsodabread #recipeforirishsodabread #ourzestylife #bestirishsodabreadrecipe sliced Best Irish Soda Bread Recipe](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Best-Irish-Soda-Bread-Recipe-OurZestyLife-12.jpg)
How to Serve Irish Soda Bread
This is the best bread for serving with a corned beef and cabbage dinner. Your family will also enjoy dredging wedges of Irish soda bread in gravy rich dishes, like beef stew, beef tips and gravy or Mississippi pot roast.
Turn your soda bread into a snack! Drizzle it with crème fraiche, or spread with strawberry rhubarb jam and don’t forget a steaming mug of London fog on the side!
![Elevate your St. Patrick's Day menu with this traditional recipe for Irish soda bread, a delightful addition to any meal. Crafted with flour, butter, buttermilk, and baking soda, this homemade loaf is both quick and easy. Serve it warm with butter alongside your corned beef and cabbage for a satisfying dinner. Use a Dutch oven for baking to achieve that perfect golden-brown crust! #irishsodabread #recipeforirishsodabread #ourzestylife #bestirishsodabreadrecipe spreading butter on Best Irish Soda Bread Recipe](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Best-Irish-Soda-Bread-Recipe-OurZestyLife-15.jpg)
More Bread Recipes
Did you try this recipe for Irish soda bread? Leave a comment and rating below!
![cooked Irish Soda Bread](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Irish-Soda-Bread-OurZestyLife-11-500x500.jpg)
Best Irish Soda Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups flour can use whole wheat and/ or all purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ cup butter cold and cut into small pieces
- 1 ⅓-1 ⅔ cups buttermilk cold
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450F. Line a dutch oven* with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and baking soda. Add cold butter and cut butter into the flour using a pastry cutter or fork.
- Add buttermilk slowly, mixing with a spatula or wooden spoon until it forms a soft dough, similar to a thick batter. Transfer dough onto the parchment paper and form it into a round shape. Score an X into the top of the dough using a bread lame or a sharp knife.
- Cover and bake for 35 minutes. Remove the lid and bake for 10-12 more minutes, or until golden brown.
- Serve with butter. This bread is best eaten fresh, or on the day it has been made.
Notes
- *This can be baked on a baking tray or in a skillet. It will not rise as much as in a dutch oven.
- Be sure to use baking soda that is fresh for best results.
- Do not overmix the dough.
- Keep Irish soda bread at room temperature for up to 2 days (but it’s best eaten warm and fresh!).
- Freeze the loaf, or slices, wrapped in plastic wrap and then placed into zippered bags for up to 2 months.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information does not include optional ingredients or garnish and is an estimate. It may change based on actual ingredients and cooking methods used.
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![This traditional Irish soda bread recipe delivers a moist and fluffy homemade loaf to your corned beef and cabbage dinner in no time! It’s the ultimate quick bread that requires no kneading, and no rising. Just mix flour, butter, buttermilk and, of couse baking soda! Bake it in a hot oven inside a Dutch oven to get a perfect golden brown, crusty loaf of bread. Slice into wedges and serve warm with butter. #irishsodabread #recipeforirishsodabread #ourzestylife #bestirishsodabreadrecipe adding butter to Best Irish Soda Bread Recipe slice with writing](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/SP-Best-Irish-Soda-Bread-Recipe-OurZestyLife-1-2.jpg)
![Try this classic recipe for Irish soda bread to add a delightful touch to your St. Patrick's Day feast! It's an easy homemade loaf that's fluffy and moist, perfect alongside your corned beef and cabbage. No fuss and simple ingredients. Just combine flour, butter, buttermilk, and baking soda for a delicious result. Bake it in a hot Dutch oven for that irresistible golden crust! #irishsodabread #recipeforirishsodabread #ourzestylife #bestirishsodabreadrecipe loaf of Best Irish Soda Bread Recipe with writing](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/SP-Best-Irish-Soda-Bread-Recipe-OurZestyLife-1.jpg)
![Make this easy recipe for Irish soda bread and create a moist and delightful loaf with a crispy crust. Begin by combining flour, baking soda, and a hint of salt in a bowl, then gently stir in tangy buttermilk until just combined. Transfer the dough to a preheated Dutch oven, shaping it into a round before scoring the top. Bake until golden brown and enjoy slices of this classic bread, perfect for any occasion. #irishsodabread #recipeforirishsodabread #ourzestylife #bestirishsodabreadrecipe slices of Best Irish Soda Bread Recipe with writing](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/NP-Best-Irish-Soda-Bread-Recipe-OurZestyLife-2.jpg)
![Enjoy a taste of Ireland right in your kitchen this traditional recipe for Irish soda bread! This easy homemade loaf is quick and simple, pairing wonderfully with your corned beef and cabbage dinner. No need for kneading or waiting. It's a breeze to make with flour, butter, buttermilk, and baking soda. Pop it in the oven in a Dutch oven for that crispy, golden finish! #irishsodabread #recipeforirishsodabread #ourzestylife #bestirishsodabreadrecipe close up of Best Irish Soda Bread Recipe with butter and a title](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/NP-Best-Irish-Soda-Bread-Recipe-OurZestyLife-1.jpg)
![Get ready to savor this timeless recipe for Irish soda bread, a perfect addition to your dinner table. Crafted with flour, butter, buttermilk, and baking soda, this homemade loaf is a cinch to whip up. Serve it warm alongside your corned beef and cabbage dinner for a comforting meal. Bake it in a Dutch oven for a crusty golden exterior that's sure to please! #irishsodabread #recipeforirishsodabread #ourzestylife #bestirishsodabreadrecipe loaf of Best Irish Soda Bread Recipe cut into slices with a title](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/LP-Best-Irish-Soda-Bread-Recipe-OurZestyLife-.jpg)
![Treat your taste buds to this classic recipe for Irish soda bread, a must-have for any St. Patrick's Day celebration! With just flour, butter, buttermilk, and baking soda, you can create a fluffy and moist homemade loaf in no time. Pair it with corned beef and cabbage for a delicious dinner. Use a Dutch oven to bake it to perfection, achieving that golden brown crust everyone loves! #irishsodabread #recipeforirishsodabread #ourzestylife #bestirishsodabreadrecipe loaf of Best Irish Soda Bread Recipe and slice with butter and a title](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/LP-Best-Irish-Soda-Bread-Recipe-OZL-1-.jpg)
Recipe from Baker Bettie