Traditional Irish Soda Bread requires just four ingredients, is easy to put together and is delicious warm out of the oven the day it is baked. This recipe does not require yeast to rise because the baking soda in the recipe does all of the work!

Baked irish soda bread on white parchment on a cutting board with butter in a white ramekin behind it and a bread knife on the right

Slicing Irish soda bread with a knife and butter in a white ramekin in the background

Traditional Irish Soda Bread is delicious alongside some corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie or just by itself with butter! It’s lovely to serve on St. Patrick’s Day or any other day with a soup or stew. Some people add raisins, currants or caraway seeds to their bread, but we like ours plain.

The bonus of making traditional Irish soda bread is that it’s SO easy to make. If you have never made bread before, don’t worry. You’ve got this! It only requires four ingredients; all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt and buttermilk. That means there is no yeast and no need to let anything rise.

You really do need to use buttermilk for this recipe because it works together with the baking soda in helping the bread to rise and also makes it taste delicious!

This bread is absolutely delicious out of the oven with some butter spread on top. It has a soft, tender crumb and a crisp, golden crust.

Here is what you will need to make this delicious bread:

Ingredients

3 3/4 cups (450g) all-purpose flour
1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups (454g) buttermilk

Instructions

A baking sheet lined with white parchment paper

Flour, baking soda and salt in a medium light aqua colored bowl

Step 1. Preheat oven to 425° F.

Step 2. Line a baking sheet with parchment or a Silpat. (If you do not have parchment or a Silpat, you can use vegetable oil to grease your baking sheet.)

Step 3. Add flour, baking soda and salt to a medium mixing bowl.

Step 4. Whisk ingredients together.

Flour, baking soda and salt in a light aqua colored bowl with a spoon making a well in the middle

Pouring buttermilk into the flour mixture for the Irish soda bread

Step 5. Make a well in the middle of the dry ingredients using a spoon.

Step 6. Pour the buttermilk into the well. Start mixing with a big spoon or fork until almost all mixed together and starting to form a ball.

Step 7. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and shape into a ball.

Cutting a cross shape into bread dough with a red knife

Bread dough on a baking sheet with a cross cut into the middle

Step 8. Using a sharp knife, cut a cross pattern into the dough.

Baked Irish soda bread on a baking sheet on white parchment

Step 9. Bake bread for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown and it sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.

Step 10. Let cool slightly. Cut into thick slices and serve warm.

Baked Irish soda bread on white parchment with butter in a small bowl and a bread knife

Traditional Irish Soda Bread

Michele Wendt

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

Total Time 35

Course Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine Irish

Servings 1 loaf

Calories 238 kcal

Ingredients

3 3/4 cups (450g) all-purpose flour
1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups (454g) buttermilk

Instructions

Line a baking sheet with parchment or a Silpat. (If you do not have parchment or a Silpat, you can use vegetable oil to grease your baking sheet.)
Add flour, baking soda and salt to a medium mixing bowl.
Whisk ingredients together.
Make a well in the middle of the dry ingredients using a spoon.
Pour the buttermilk into the well. Start mixing with a big spoon or fork until almost all mixed together and starting to form a ball.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and shape into a ball.
Using a sharp knife, cut a cross pattern into the dough.
Bake bread for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown and it sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Let cool slightly. Cut into thick slices and serve warm.

Notes

Calorie content is based off of one slice of bread.

Store Irish soda bread at room temperature in an airtight container or storage bag for 3-4 days. It is best served the day it is baked.

Irish soda bread can be frozen in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.

Keyword Baking Soda, Bread, Bread Recipe, Irish Soda Bread, Soda Bread

I do have to say, if you’re not a bread maker, this is the perfect recipe to start with. It’s so easy and you will be delighted with the results! You can also find more bread recipes from my blog here.

Sweet regards,

Michele