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    Grits and Pinecones » Recipes » Bread

    Traditional Irish Soda Bread – Four Ingredients

    April 23, 2020 by Sharon Rigsby, Updated March 18, 2021 19 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Pinterest pin for Irish Soda Bread.

    Do you love the thought of homemade bread, but are worried that it will be too time-consuming or too much trouble to make? Then I hope you will try this recipe for “Traditional Irish Soda Bread.” It’s so easy; you won’t need to rely on the luck o’ the Irish to pull it off.

    A loaf of soda bread on top of a kitchen towel.

    Is there anything better than a slice of warm bread slathered with butter? If there is, I can’t think what it would be. It’s pure bliss and comfort food at its finest.  

    Traditional soda bread is more rustic in appearance than a regular sandwich loaf, with a craggy crispy crust and soft and tender insides. Not just for St. Patrick’s Day, this simple, quick bread will be the star of the show anytime you serve it.

    Why you will love this recipe:

    • No yeast; baking soda and buttermilk act as the leavening agents. And, you also only have to knead the dough a few times to bring the ingredients together. 
    • The dough doesn’t have to rise. You just mix everything in a bowl, plop the dough on a baking sheet and let it bake.  
    • If your children like to help in the kitchen, this is a perfect recipe for them to try. 

    The Origin of Irish Soda Bread:

    Back in the 1800s, when baking soda was first introduced, it made making soda bread one of the easiest and least expensive ways to put food on the table. It also meant that people who didn’t have an oven—and virtually nobody had an oven in Ireland then—could make it.

    The Irish cooked theirs in a big cast-iron pot with a lid on it that would have been put right onto the coals. To this day, this traditional recipe calls for the same four ingredients; flour, baking soda, buttermilk, and salt. That’s it!

    There are lots of Americanized recipes for it out there, but according to Ed O’Dwyer, who founded The Society for the Preservation of Irish Soda Bread, “If it has raisins, it’s called Spotted Dog or Railway Cake! If it contains raisins, eggs, baking powder, sugar, or shortening, it’s called cake.”

    O’Dwyer’s website also states, that “The Society for the Preservation of Irish Soda Bread is one of those Societies where there are no dues, no meetings, and the only requirement for joining is to bake a traditional loaf from time to time and teach a child about it and how to make it.” So, I think now I must be an official member, and you can be too!

    What to serve with it:

    If you are making it for St. Patricks Day, you might want to serve it with my  Irish Potato Boxty, Traditional Irish Potato Soup, or even my Shrimp with Green Sauce. 

    For other times of the year, it’s wonderful when served with soups, chili, salads, and casseroles. It would also be excellent with a pat of my homemade garlic herb butter.  It can also be served at any meal instead of biscuits or cornbread. 

    What’s in it:

    You only need four simple ingredients. 

    Baking soda, salt, buttermilk and flour on a kitchen counter.

    How to make it:

    1.  Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. 

    2. Place a sheet of parchment paper on a baking sheet or lightly spray with non-stick baking spray.

    3. Add flour, salt and baking soda to a large bowl and using a fork mix well. Add one and a quarter cup of buttermilk and mix until the flour is moistened and partially comes together. If necessary, add a little more buttermilk, if your dough is too dry.

    4. Pour this mixture out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead until the dough forms a nice ball and holds together. Do not knead too much, or it will be tough.

    5. Shape the dough into an approximately a 6-inch disk about 2 inches thick and place on the baking sheet.

    A round of bread dough on a baking sheet.

    6.  Using a knife, cut an X about 1 inch deep and extend it almost to the edges of the dough. This helps it cook in the middle.

    Soda bread dough with a cross cut into the top of it.

    7.  Bake for about 35 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when you tap on it.

    8.  Transfer to a rack to cool. Serve warm with butter. 

    A slice of soda bread with a pat of butter.

    Sharon’s tips:

    Leftovers, if you have any, should be stored in an airtight container. Because there are no preservatives, it will only last about three days on your counter. However, you can freeze it for two to three months. 

    If you do have leftovers, they are delicious sliced, toasted, and topped with butter and or jam. 

    Be sure to use a “dry” measuring cup to measure the flour, and a “liquid” measuring cup when measuring the buttermilk. Liquid measuring cups usually are glass or plastic and have a handle that allows you to pour the liquid. 

    Use the “spoon and level” method to measure your flour. Use a spoon to fluff up the flour, then fill your dry measuring cup with flour using the spoon and level it off with the flat blade of a knife. 

    When kneading your dough, less is best. It’s not supposed to look perfect, a few bumps here and there are fine. 

    Don’t skip the step of cutting the cross in the dough. It helps the interior cook all the way through. 

    Related recipes:

    If you like this recipe, you might also like these other popular recipes on my blog:

    • Ultimate Blueberry Bread with Lemon Glaze
    • Easy Hoecakes aka Johnnycakes
    • Easy Southern Sweet Potato Bread
    • Zucchini Banana Muffins
    • Easy Sausage Cheese Bread

    I have lots more recipes I think you will like as well, click on the following link to see all of my bread recipes. 

    A round of bread on a white plate with shamrocks.

    ★ If you make this recipe, please leave a comment and give it a star rating. I would love to know how you liked it!

    Thank you so much for visiting Grits and Pinecones!

    A round of rustic bread on a kitchen towel with a bowl of butter.

    Traditional Irish Soda Bread

    Sharon Rigsby
    Traditional Irish Soda Bread is not just for St. Patrick's Day. With only four ingredients, this recipe is simple to make and doesn't require any yeast.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 35 mins
    Total Time 45 mins
    Course Bread
    Cuisine International
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 303 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1 ½ cups buttermilk You may not need it all.

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
    • Place a sheet of parchment paper on a baking sheet, or lightly spray with non-stick baking spray.
    • Add flour, salt and baking soda to a large bowl and using a fork mix well.
    • Add 1-¼ cup of buttermilk and mix until the flour is moistened and partially comes together. If necessary, add a little more buttermilk if your dough is too dry.
    • Pour this mixture out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead a few times until the dough forms a nice ball and holds together. Do not knead too much, or your bread will be tough.
    • Shape the dough into approximately a 6-inch disk about 2 inches high and place it on your baking sheet.
    • Using a sharp knife, cut an X about 1 inch deep and extend it almost to the edges of the dough. This helps it cook in the middle.
    • Bake for about 35 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when you tap on it.
    • Transfer to a rack to cool. Serve warm with butter.

    Notes

    Leftovers, if you have any, should be stored in an airtight container. Because there are no preservatives, it will only last about three days on your counter. However, you can freeze it for two to three months. 
    If you do have leftovers, they are delicious sliced, toasted, and topped with butter and or jam.
    Be sure to use a "dry" measuring cup to measure the flour, and a "liquid" measuring cup when measuring the buttermilk. Liquid measuring cups usually are glass or plastic and have a handle that allows you to pour the liquid. 
    Use the "spoon and level" method to measure your flour. Use a spoon to fluff up the flour, then fill your dry measuring cup with flour using the spoon and level it off with the flat blade of a knife. 
    When kneading your dough, less is best. It's not supposed to look perfect, a few bumps here and there are fine. 
    Don't skip the step of cutting the cross in the dough. It helps the insides cook all the way through. 
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 303kcalCarbohydrates: 59gProtein: 9gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 538mgPotassium: 159mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 99IUCalcium: 80mgIron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe? Tag me today! Mention @gritspinecones or tag #gritspinecones!

    *This recipe was originally published on March 15, 2016, and republished on April 23, 2020, with new pictures and expanded tips. No change to the basic recipe. 

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    1. Johnny B

      March 17, 2021 at 12:15 pm

      Is there an update on the sodium for this recipe? 3/4 tsp salt is about 1750mg of sodium, yet the nutrition label suggests one serving is only 44mg of sodium. Seems like it should be about 290mg of sodium?

      Reply
      • Sharon Rigsby

        March 18, 2021 at 8:51 pm

        Johnny, I ran this recipe through my nutritional calculator and updated it. It did change the sodium amount for 1/6 of a loaf of bread. I hope you enjoyed the bread.
        All the best,
        Sharon

        Reply
    2. Ruth

      March 06, 2019 at 10:55 am

      Very tasty was my first bread of any kind to make and I really enjoyed it. I added dried cranberries and yum

      Reply
      • Gritsandpinecones

        March 06, 2019 at 5:29 pm

        Hi Ruth, thanks so much for leaving a comment. The dried cranberries were a great idea! I love it when a reader makes a recipe their own by tweaking it for their family’s tastes!
        All my best,
        Sharon

        Reply
        • Elizabeth M

          March 17, 2022 at 10:10 am

          5 stars
          Is the bake covered or uncovered? Thanks!

        • Sharon Rigsby

          March 17, 2022 at 1:40 pm

          Uncovered!

    3. Denise

      March 15, 2018 at 3:48 pm

      It looks so good and I am going to try and make it for the first time for my husband & kids as well as our family coming to visit this St. Patrick’s Day. Even though we have not been to Ireland yet, we are Irish so we are going to do a complete Irish dinner.

      Reply
      • Gritsandpinecones

        March 16, 2018 at 6:34 pm

        Hi Denise, thanks so much for leaving a comment and letting me know! I hope you and your family enjoy the soup and I hope you have a Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
        All my best,
        Sharon

        Reply
    4. Sara

      November 18, 2017 at 12:14 am

      Great recipe! Made this tonight with soup and it was like a massive delicious biscuit. Is that the way it’s supposed to be? I made my own buttermilk by adding vinegar to milk.

      Reply
      • Gritsandpinecones

        November 18, 2017 at 10:06 am

        Hi Sara, so glad you liked the bread! I hadn’t thought about it before, but I guess it is like a giant biscuit!

        Reply
    5. john

      July 20, 2017 at 4:53 pm

      Raisins?

      Reply
      • Gritsandpinecones

        July 20, 2017 at 5:44 pm

        Hi John,
        I didn’t include raisins in this recipe but I know that some recipes do include them. If you like raisins, I think it would be fine to add them. It is my understanding that traditional Irish Soda Bread doesn’t include them, but who knows?
        Sharon

        Reply
    6. Christine

      March 06, 2017 at 4:11 am

      I’ve never tried Irish soda bread but I’m guessing it’s pretty tasty warm out of the oven with some Kerrygold butter!

      Reply
    7. Erin

      March 05, 2017 at 8:29 pm

      This bread looks so good, especially with the melted butter on it!

      Reply
    8. Sue Ringsdorf

      March 05, 2017 at 12:41 pm

      I’m a huge bread lover and really enjoy the process of making it. Love the idea of a simple and quick bread too. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    9. Elaine @ Dishes Delish

      March 01, 2017 at 1:01 pm

      I love Irish soda bread. When hubby and I went to Ireland a few years back, I had it every meal!! So good. This recipe looks like a keeper!!

      Reply
      • Gritsandpinecones

        March 02, 2017 at 5:22 pm

        Thanks Elaine! I’ve never been to Ireland, but it’s definitely on my bucket list!

        Reply
    10. Michele

      February 28, 2017 at 12:07 am

      wow… I love the texture of your soda bread… mine is always too dry. Cant wait to make this and get that moist center!!

      Reply
      • Gritsandpinecones

        February 28, 2017 at 5:25 am

        Thanks, Michele! I’ve never been much of a baker but this bread is so easy, even I can make it! And, it really is delicious! I hope you enjoy it!

        Reply

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    Sharon Rigsby, blogger at GritsandPinecones.com

    Hello, I'm Sharon Rigsby, blogger, recipe developer, videographer, and photographer for Grits and Pinecones®. I have well over 50 years of experience in the kitchen, and there is nothing I like better than developing and reimagining recipes for my family, friends, and you!

    More about me →

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