Try my Easy Soda Bread Recipe that Gordon Ramsay loved!

I would make a loaf every morning, slice it, and top it with scrambled eggs, mashed avocado, or butter. I’d serve it as a partner in crime with simple salads and soups.

I even used it on an episode of MasterChef (I competed on Season 3), and Gordon Ramsay loved it. This recipe is very easy to put together and incredibly budget-friendly.

Get ready to put this one in heavy rotation! All recipes are rigorously tested in our Nashville Test Kitchen to ensure they are easy, affordable, and delicious. “I made this for St.

Patrick’s Day dinner, following the photo instructions and it was a great success! My family and I loved it!

I have a history of messing up recipes, even easy ones, and this was foolproof.”

Laura Weston

no-knead Soda Bread

Many cultures worldwide make some form of soda bread, and it is thought to have been created by Native Americans. However, the most commonly known recipe is for Irish soda bread. It became a popular recipe in Ireland during the famine when bread had to be made from cheap ingredients: soft wheat flour, salt, baking soda, and sour milk.

Soda bread is leavened with baking soda, which gives it its namesake. To develop its trademark soft crumb, you touch the dough as little as possible while shaping it. If you prefer a chewier kneaded bread texture but don’t want to put in all that work, try our easy No-Knead Bread recipe.

This easy-to-make, budget-friendly recipe quickly became a staple in my kitchen, and I’m confident it will in yours too.

Ingredients

• 2 cups (280 g) all-purpose flour* ($0.27)
• 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk* ($0.32)

How to Make Easy Soda Bread Step-by-Step Photos

Set a rack in the middle of your oven and preheat to 450°F. Mix the 2 cups of flour, the 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, and the 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a large bowl until they are fully incorporated.

Form a well in the center of the flour mixture and fill the well with the buttermilk. Use a fork to incorporate the flour into the buttermilk little by little until a thick batter forms. Use your hands to incorporate the final bits of flour and gently shape the batter into a dough.

Do not overwork the dough. Transfer the dough to a floured work surface and gently shape it into a round 6 inches in diameter and about 1 1/2 inches thick.

Place the loaf in a Dutch oven or cast iron skillet. Use a sharp knife to cut a large x into the top of the dough.

Bake for 10 minutes at 450°F. Then lower the oven temperature to 400°F and continue baking until the bread is golden brown and crusty on the outside, about 20 minutes.

Transfer to a rack and cool. Enjoy the warm, cozy soda bread with a thick smear of butter and your favorite bowl of soup!

Variations

Traditionally, Irish soda bread is just four ingredients. But Irish Americans add currants or caraway seeds to the dough.

You can also add a few teaspoons of citrus zest or your favorite fresh herbs. For a fun twist, try it with Everything Bagel seasoning.

It’s truly a blank canvas, so don’t be scared to experiment with your favorite flavors.

Serving Suggestions

This soda bread is perfect for sopping up that last bit of sauce or stew and turns even a simple bowl of soup into something a little more filling. I especially like to serve it with vegan winter lentil stew for a hearty plant-based dinner or alongside pumpkin soup when I want something cozy and a little creamy.

It’s also delicious with a bowl of Dublin coddle for a classic Irish pairing! Or next to chunky ham and bean soup for an extra-satisfying meal.