This sourdough Irish soda bread is made with lievito madre discard for a novel twist on a basic Irish recipe. It has a tender, tender crumb with a milky tangy taste and crusty exterior!

I like dunking a country piece of Irish soda bread into soups and stews, particularly on St. Patrick’s Day! This sourdough Irish soda bread recipe is a twist on the basic and makes use of tangy sourdough discard for an anticipated but pleasant taste addition.
I used my lievito madre sourdough starter discard however you would use energetic sourdough starter if you need. True to a standard Irish soda bread, this bread shouldn’t be counting on the pure yeast to rise however as an alternative the buttermilk and baking soda.
The sourdough discard provides a depth of taste to the soda bread and all it’s essential to do is combine, form and bake. No lengthy fermentation time required!
Why I Love This Recipe
- Simple: Solely 6 elements are wanted for this easy sourdough discard Irish soda bread and with no lengthy fermentation course of required this bread is prepared in underneath an hour.
- Flavorful: Whereas baking soda does neutralize the tangy sourdough taste barely, it additionally contributes to the general refined taste and provides moisture to the tender tender crumb.
- Scale back meals waste: Utilizing the lievito madre leftover sourdough starter discard is only one extra method to make use of discard! It’s a good way to repurpose it and go away no waste behind.
Ingredient Notes
- Lievito madre sourdough discard: A tangy unfed sourdough starter that shouldn’t be extra then 3-4 days outdated, it’s the excellent praise to an Irish soda bread!
- Buttermilk: You need to use selfmade or retailer purchased buttermilk however don’t skip it! Buttermilk is the acidic ingredient that reacts with baking soda to assist the bread rise.
- All-purpose flour: This provides construction to the selfmade sourdough Irish soda bread.
- Granulated sugar: A small quantity of sugar provides a candy style to the bread.
- Baking soda: At all times guarantee your baking soda is recent so it might correctly support in leavening the bread.
- Salt: A taste enhancer, Kosher salt is commonly used, however any salt will work.
- Raisins: If utilizing raisins, soak in boiling water for 10-Quarter-hour then drain and towel dry.


Add-Ins and Variations
- Orange zest and currants: Use the zest of 1 orange and about 100g of currants so as to add a heavenly aroma and taste.
- Caraway seeds: These seeds are a extremely popular addition to soda bread.
- Oats: A handful of oats may be added to the dough, then roll the ball of dough with oats for a beautiful texture earlier than baking.
- Different mix-ins: Chocolate chips, savory herbs, Parmesan cheese or poppy seeds. These are much less widespread however enjoyable add-ins!
How one can Make Sourdough Irish Soda Bread
To start out, in a small bowl stir the sourdough discard and buttermilk.


Subsequent, in a big bowl whisk collectively the dry elements together with the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and raisins.


Add the discard combination and mix the moist elements with the flour combination utilizing a fork till virtually mixed. The dough shall be shaggy.


Transfer to a calmly floured flat floor and gently knead a number of occasions to carry the dough collectively. Kind dough into an oval form and place on a ready parchment paper lined baking sheet. Utilizing a pointy knife, rating the dough with a deep cross.


Bake till golden brown and baked by way of. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool earlier than serving.


discard soda bread suggestions
- Kind of flour: Change a number of the all-purpose flour with entire wheat flour for a heartier bread. For a sweeter bread, use a tender wheat flour resembling kind 00.
- Rating the dough: Not solely as a result of the cross is a standard Irish superstition however as a result of it helps the bread bake evenly and increase within the oven.
- Dutch oven: Whereas sourdough Irish soda bread is often baked on a baking sheet, you need to use your Dutch oven for a crustier crust.
- Don’t skip the buttermilk: It is a wanted ingredient for the chemical response that happens between the acidic buttermilk and baking soda. Make selfmade bitter milk by combining cream, milk and vinegar or lemon juice. A vegan model of this works as nicely.
- Cool earlier than slicing: In any other case the bread is gummy in texture and style. Use a serrated knife for slicing and slice into wedges to forestall it from crumbling.


Serving Ideas
This sourdough Irish soda bread recipe is the right accompaniment to any winter meal resembling this Italian beef stew, corned beef or shepherd’s pie. It’s equally nearly as good, although, with creamy Irish butter (or selfmade butter) and jam!
How one can make the soda bread with conventional sourdough starter
To make the bread with conventional sourdough starter discard use the identical quantity of starter however add 1-2 tablespoons additional of flour. Relying on the kind of flour it’s possible you’ll want a bit extra.
Extra Sourdough Discard Recipes


Nothing like a scrumptious Soda bread and this one made with lievito madre discard is so tasty! Buon Appetito!
- 3 tablespoons lievito madre discard
- ¾ cup buttermilk (retailer purchased or selfmade) room temperature
- 1¾ cups all objective flour
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
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Preheat oven to 375F/190C, line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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In a small bowl soak the raisins in boiling water for 10-Quarter-hour then drain and towel dry.
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In a small bowl combine the discard and buttermilk.
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In a big bowl whisk collectively the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and raisins. Then add the discard and mix with a fork till virtually mixed.
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Transfer to a calmly floured flat floor and gently knead a number of occasions to carry the dough collectively, kind into an oval form and place on the ready baking sheet, rating the dough with a deep cross with a pointy knife.
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Bake 30-40 minutes till baked by way of. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool earlier than serving. Take pleasure in!
To make selfmade buttermilk
Mix 2½ tablespoons cream (entire, heavy or whipping cream), 9 tablespoons milk (2% or entire milk) and ½ tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice. Let sit Quarter-hour earlier than utilizing.
How one can retailer the soda bread
Retailer: As with most fast breads, this tastes greatest served the identical day it’s made. You possibly can retailer leftover Irish sourdough soda bread in an hermetic container at room temperature for 2-3 days.
Freeze: To retailer longer than a number of days, I prefer to freeze it in slices for as much as 3 months. Wrap slices in plastic wrap then foil and retailer in a freezer protected container. Thaw and reheat particular person slices within the toaster or oven.
Energy: 994kcal | Carbohydrates: 196g | Protein: 30g | Fats: 8g | Saturated Fats: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 1g | Monounsaturated Fats: 2g | Ldl cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 1904mg | Potassium: 478mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 297IU | Calcium: 241mg | Iron: 10mg | Phosphorus: 389mg