Easy Irish Soda Bread
Learn how to make this easy Irish Soda Bread recipe without buttermilk! This traditional Irish soda bread recipe is the perfect side dish for Saint Patrick’s Day.
Irish soda bread is a staple in Irish cuisine and has been enjoyed for centuries! This delicious bread is known for its simple ingredients and ease of preparation. It’s light, delicious and slightly sweet. Perfect for breakfast or dessert!
Why is it called soda bread? Because it uses baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) as the leavening agent.
Traditionally, the classic recipe for Irish soda bread is a rustic, round loaf that is baked on a hearth or griddle with a deep crosscut into the top of the dough with a sharp knife.
Instead, this homemade bread recipe offers a modern twist on the traditional bread, perfect to serve with traditional dishes like Irish Potato Soup or a fun cocktail like this Luck of the Irish cocktail!
It’s a quick bread, meaning you don’t have to let the bread rise before baking it!
Recipe Substitutions
Full disclosure, I have not tried substituting oat milk, soy milk or almond milk for the regular dairy milk. Whole milk or 2% milk is best.
Instead of the white vinegar, you can use lemon juice or apple cider vinegar.
Other Recipe Tips
If you prefer a less sweet bread, you can cut back on the sugar to ¼ cup. But, doing this may make the dough hard to mix.
Over-beating the batter will make the bread dense and tough, so it’s best to mix it as little as possible.
Irish Soda Bread Recipe Additions
To make this bread extra festive on St. Patrick’s Day, add a few drops of green food coloring.
Add in 1 cup of raisins, currants or chopped dried fruit right before baking.
For a savory twist, add 2 teaspoons of caraway seeds on the top of the unbaked dough.
Serving Suggestions
This easy Irish bread recipe pairs well with soup, stew, Shepherd’s Pie, Irish Buttered Carrots, Instant Pot Cabbage or Smoked Corned Beef and Cabbage, Corned Beef Hash Casserole or this Irish Nachos with Corned Beef recipe. I like to serve it with a smear of Irish butter and some strawberry jam.
For a festive beverage, I recommend this Irish Mule recipe, an Irish Margarita or this Drunken Leprechaun Drink. And for dessert, try this sweet Irish Apple Cake, Rainbow Fruit Skewers or Irish Coffee Cupcakes!
If you need more ideas, check out this Vegan Colcannon recipe, or my complete list of Irish Side Dishes.
Storing Leftover Bread:
Wrap leftover bread in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container. It can be stored at room temperature for 3-4 days, or frozen for 2-3 months.
If frozen, allow it to thaw at room temperature for a few hours before serving.
I hope that you enjoy making this Irish Soda Bread! If you do make it, I’d love to hear how it went in the comments below.
Easy Irish Soda Bread
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 and 4/5 cups of milk
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup salted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan. Set aside.
- Make the buttermilk substitute. In a small bowl, add vinegar and milk. Whisk the milk mixture briskly to combine. Allow to stand for 5 minutes before using it in the recipe.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg and buttermilk substitute until well combined.
- Add the wet ingredients into the large bowl containing the flour mixture. Add melted butter and mix just until combined. Do not overmix, or the dough will become tough.
- Transfer dough into the greased bread pan.
- Bake for 60 to 65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the crust is golden brown.
- Allow to cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before slicing with a serrated knife.
- Top with your favorite butter, honey, jam, or jelly!
