Real Traditional Irish Soda Bread

Rating: 4.51 stars
51 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 39
  • 4 star values: 4
  • 3 star values: 5
  • 2 star values: 1
  • 1 star values: 2

A recipe passed down through an Irish family for many generations contains none of the modern supplements like yeast or sugar. This is a simple, very effective recipe.

By barry
Advertisement

Ingredients

4
Original recipe yields 4 servings
The ingredient list now reflects the servings specified

Directions

  • Heat a heavy skillet, griddle, or cast-iron frying pan over medium-low heat.

    Advertisement

  • Stir the flour and salt together in a bowl, and sift in the baking soda. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture, and pour in the buttermilk. Stir the mixture quickly together into a dough, and turn out onto a floured work surface. Knead the dough a few times, just until it comes together. Gently form the dough into a flattened, round cake about 1/2 inch thick, and cut the round into quarters with a floured knife.

  • Sprinkle a little bit of flour into the bottom of the hot skillet, and cook the wedges 6 to 8 minutes per side, until golden brown.

Partner Tip

Reynolds® Aluminum foil can be used to keep food moist, cook it evenly, and make clean-up easier.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:
252 calories; 8.5 g protein; 50.6 g carbohydrates; 2.5 mg cholesterol; 380.2 mg sodium. Full Nutrition

Reviews (41)

Read More Reviews

Most helpful positive review

JoeCook
Rating: 5 stars
01/03/2011
I was a bit uncertain about this recipe even while it was baking. I had never baked a bread on the stove top. Well I followed the recipe exactly. I did need to add a lot of flour to the surface. The dough was a bit too moist for kneading. However it turned out really well and it was very easy to make. It's definitely a classic. Variations in the future may include currants or maybe some whole grain alternatives. Read More
Helpful
(40)

Most helpful critical review

jessicalyn98
Rating: 3 stars
01/19/2011
This is very simple to make. It's a fine bread maybe something to go good with a soup or something like that. I just found it very plain. I used some honey butter and that was a good addition but on its own I found it rather bland. Read More
Helpful
(13)
51 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 39
  • 4 star values: 4
  • 3 star values: 5
  • 2 star values: 1
  • 1 star values: 2
Reviews:
Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest
JoeCook
Rating: 5 stars
01/03/2011
I was a bit uncertain about this recipe even while it was baking. I had never baked a bread on the stove top. Well I followed the recipe exactly. I did need to add a lot of flour to the surface. The dough was a bit too moist for kneading. However it turned out really well and it was very easy to make. It's definitely a classic. Variations in the future may include currants or maybe some whole grain alternatives. Read More
Helpful
(40)
mul
Rating: 5 stars
02/16/2011
finally someone actually knows trad Irish bread does NOT contain raisins or caraway or butter perfect recipe though I do 1 cup white unbleached flour 1 cup brown flour thanks for the recipe. Read More
Helpful
(37)
CINJOY4
Rating: 5 stars
03/18/2011
Wonderful flavor and texture for such a simple recipe. I've tried several Irish soda bread recipes and this has trumped them all. I did not have actual buttermilk so I used the old milk with vinegar trick. I always feel like I'm cheating when I do that. laugh One note: I followed the instructions to add some flour to the cast iron griddle. I found this not only unnecessary but rather unpleasant. The flour burns which is unsightly and doesn't taste very good. After the first batch I wiped my pan clean wiped it lightly with oil and much preferred those results. My pan is seasoned enough that it's probably fine without doing any of that so I will skip it altogether in the future. Great recipe! Read More
Helpful
(29)
Advertisement
publicprivacy
Rating: 5 stars
03/16/2011
Thank you so much for posting the un-Americanized version of soda bread. I'd been trying to find a real recipe for several days and managed to stumble upon this one. Such a relief! Read More
Helpful
(23)
Inez S
Rating: 5 stars
03/18/2010
Wow! Got rave reviews for this one. I added a tsp of Splenda brown sugar for sweetness. I used a george Forman grilling machine with the pizza plate in and cooked it on medium for 30 min. Read More
Helpful
(20)
Joanna Anderson
Rating: 5 stars
03/18/2011
OMG a REAL soda bread recipe! I bake mine in the oven though. Make sure to put a cross on top! Read More
Helpful
(19)
Advertisement
deeen
Rating: 5 stars
03/21/2011
This is very delicious. I made no changes and would make exactly the same again which i plan to do very soon. Everyone in my family liked it also. I liked the fact that it was very moist although I covered it while it was still warm to make sure that it stayed moist and also softened the crust somewhat since that was what I was looking for that particular day... This bread would be wonderful toasted for breakfast with jam but ours did not make it long enough for that! Read More
Helpful
(17)
JANNABANNA
Rating: 5 stars
04/13/2010
This was a good recipe. I didn't change anything! Read More
Helpful
(14)
jessicalyn98
Rating: 3 stars
01/19/2011
This is very simple to make. It's a fine bread maybe something to go good with a soup or something like that. I just found it very plain. I used some honey butter and that was a good addition but on its own I found it rather bland. Read More
Helpful
(13)
More Reviews
© Copyright 2020 allrecipes.com. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.allrecipes.com 07/12/2020