How to Make Sourdough Irish Soda Bread

Sharing is caring!

Spring is here and it’s the perfect time to bake a loaf of Irish soda bread. This version, though, has a fun twist—it’s made with sourdough! Adding a sourdough discard along with some buttermilk will give this traditional rustic bread a slight tang, that makes it even more delicious.

Whether you’re making this to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day or just because you love homemade bread, this easy recipe is perfect for everyone. It’s a delicious, dense and crumbly, bread to eat with our Crock Pot Corn Beef and Cabbage recipe to complete your meal!

Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on a link and then make a purchase, I may get a small commission from that sale, at no extra cost to you.

Why This Recipe Works

Sourdough Irish soda bread is the perfect combination of easy and flavorful. The addition of sourdough takes a true soda bread recipe and adds a subtle tang and flavor that you just can’t get with regular baking soda. Plus, it’s a great recipe to use up that sourdough discard you’ve been feeding every week. You can whip this bread up in less than an hour, and it’s the kind of bread that’s perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

• 2 cups bread flour (we used Sunrise Flour Mill Heritage Bread Blend)
• 1 cup whole wheat flour (Bob’s Red Mill)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda (Bob’s Red Mill)
• 1 teaspoon salt (Kosher)

Wet Ingredients

• 1 cup buttermilk (or you can make your own with 1 cup of milk and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar, mix and rest for 5 minutes)
• 1/2 cup active sourdough discard (we used Sunrise Flour Mill Sourdough Starter to create our discard.)

Optional Add-ins

• 1/4 cup raisins or currants (for a traditional twist)
• 1 tablespoon caraway seeds (adds a bit of Irish charm and flavor)

For baking:

• Parchment paper (helps with easy removal and cleanup)
• Aluminum foil (optional, to cover the bread if it gets too dark)

Instructions

Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (190°C). If you’re using a dutch oven, this is a great time to preheat it as well. Line the baking container with parchment paper for easy removal later. Otherwise, you can place the dough on a baking sheet for a more rustic look.

Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the bread flour, whole wheat flour, baking soda, and salt. Make sure the flour mixture is well mixed so the baking soda is evenly distributed throughout.

Combine Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, combine the buttermilk and your sourdough discard. Wish until combined. The addition of buttermilk and sourdough give the bread a nice distinct flavor and tang.

Bring it All Together
Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir gently with a wooden bread wisk until the dough begins to come together. It should be a little rough and shaggy, but don’t overwork it. If the dough feels too sticky, add a little more flour. If it’s too dry, add a splash more buttermilk. Note: During testing, we needed about 1/4 cup extra buttermilk to bring the dough together.

Shape the Dough
Once the dough has come together, turn it out onto a floured surface. Knead it 5 or 6 times into a round loaf. You can also place it into your prepared loaf pan if you prefer a more structured shape. For a traditional touch, score the top in a cross pattern with a sharp knife. This will also help it cook evenly and look nice.

Bake the Bread
Place the bread in your preheated 400°F oven and bake for 35-45 minutes if you’re making a round loaf, or 45-55 minutes if you’re using a loaf pan. You’ll know it’s done when the top is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. You can also check the internal temperature—it should be around 190 (88°C) when it’s fully cooked. If you’re using a dutch oven, you can cover it with the lid for the first 15 minutes of baking, then remove the lid to allow the top of the bread to brown.

Cool it Down
Let the bread cool for at least 20 minutes on a wire rack before slicing. This will help it set and prevent it from being too crumbly. You can serve it warm with a pat of cold butter, or let it cool completely and enjoy it later.

A Personal Touch

Growing up my sister became obsessed with making homemade bread, her dream was to open a bakery when she grew up–so naturally the smell of bread wafting through the house became a normal occurrence. She’d often experiment with different types of bread but one of our favorites was her Irish soda bread. We were inspired by her love of trying new things to test this recipe out and we hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

New To Sourdough?

This Sourdough Irish soda bread doesn’t require a ton of prep time but you do need to become familiar with sourdough starter. It’s not hard to make but will take a 4 day process to get it ready for this recipe if you are just starting out. We decided to use Sunrise Flour Mill’s Sourdough Starter that originally came from Italy. It works best when combined with the Heritage Organic Bread flour that is made from hard red and soft white wheat flour.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick and Easy: You don’t need hours for bread to rise—this is a quick bread recipe that comes together in under an hour.
• Sourdough Twist: The sourdough starter adds that extra tangy flavor that makes this bread stand out. If you’ve never made sourdough before, this is a great recipe to get your feet wet.
• Versatile: You can add raisins or caraway seeds for a more traditional taste, or keep it simple with just the basic ingredients. The choice is yours!
• Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day: Whether you’re making a meal for the family or baking something special for the holiday, this bread is a great way to celebrate.
• Great Storage: This bread keeps well in an airtight container for a few days, and it’s also perfect for slicing and toasting the next day. It’s an easy recipe for longer storage.
• Simple Ingredients: With only a few simple ingredients, this recipe is something you can pull together at the last minute.

Final Thoughts

This sourdough Irish soda bread is a delicious way to bring a piece of Ireland to your table, especially for St. Patrick’s Day. The sourdough adds a fun twist to the classic recipe, and it’s perfect for pairing with soups, stews, or just a slab of butter. I hope you give this recipe a try and that it becomes a staple in your kitchen, just like it has in mine.

Leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out for you! I’d love to hear what tweaks you made or any family traditions you have around Irish soda bread. If you’re looking for any of the ingredients, check out my Amazon associate links for some great options!

Happy baking!