Brown Soda Bread Recipe (2024)

As an Irish person, this is my go-to Brown Soda bread recipe. I love it, my family loves it. You've really hit the nail on the head here. For those who want a softer outcome, add a tablespoon of oil to the batter. I use rapeseed (canola) and the bread is umptiously soft and stays softer for longer.

Made this twice in within three days now to go with hearty soup. Love the texture (the steel cut oats are such a lovely taste and textural surprise!) and flavor. Minor changes I made were to use only 1 T of brown sugar but add a glug of molasses (maybe 2T?) and used ground flax instead of the wheat germ. I make all our own yeast breads/rolls/buns, but I can see making this more often in place of some of that. So easy to make and tastes wonderful! Thanks!

In the former version of My Recipes there was a "Save" button to save the recipe to My Recipe Box/Cozi. I don't see that option anywhere on the new "improved" webpage!! Am I missing something or has this option been removed?? Grrrr.........

LOVED IT! It so reminded me of Ireland and the bread we enjoyed there. The Irish oatmeal (pin oats) makes all the difference in the world! No, it's not a sweet bread, but it's rustic and hearty and reminiscent of meals we had during our trips to the Emerald Isle. I followed the directions exactly, except when I checked it at 50 minutes, it was done. Not only healthy, but so easy to put together. Will certainly be making this one again and again!

I thought this recipe was only ok. I try out a lot of brown bread recipes, looking for "the one" that tastes like my favourite from Ireland but this isn't it. I'll keep searching!

A very easy recipe. Most whole wheat bread recipes I have tried turned out to be doorstops... this one is flavorful, nutritious, and light. I love it fresh out of the oven, and even more toasted the next day. Great with cheese, great with jam. This recipe is a keeper. Next time I will toast the oatmeal because I love the flavor. I didn't have wheat germ, so I didn't add those.

I REALLY LOVED THIS RECIPE AND MY FAMILY DID TOO. I WILL MAKE THIS AGAIN. I DID NOT HAVE WHEAT GERM SO I SUBSTITUTED BLACK WALNUTS. THE ADDITION WORKED VERY WELL. YUMMMMMM!

Made this for St. Patrick's Day dinner, and it was delicious. Very easy to put together, too. I upped the salt to a rounded teaspoon and subbed molasses for the brown sugar. We ate it with colcannon soup, and there was hardly any left. Definitely a keeper!

This was great and will become my "go to" quick bread with soups, stews, etc. We had it with beef stew tonight and it went together very well. Knowing that my family likes things a little sweeter, I did add 2 Tablespoons of molasses with the wet ingredients. Think I will try it as cinnamon toast for breakfast tomorrow. Yum!

This turned out great as far as the actual "bread of it all" goes. By that I mean texture and density. The flavor was good but not the same as what I experienced in Ireland. I want to say that maybe they didn't use any white flour. Next time I will stick to the whole wheat flour, maybe add a bit more wheat germ and I am thinking about adding some molasses. Molasses could be the missing ingredient that gave it just the right kind of sweetness and it would make it darker too. The brown soda bread in Ireland was darker than mine turned out. And I almost forgot, maybe a little more salt? I will update on results.

This recipe is so easy! Mine looked a bit ugly when it was done, but inside tastes moist and delicious! I made this for St. Patrick’s Day dinner, but my family declared it a “keeper” and it will be an every day type recipe. I was tempted to substitute regular oatmeal, but I found the steel-cut oats in the bulk-bin at Whole foods – I am so glad I used the steel-cut oats, it made a big difference. Don’t substitute anything. Must try it!

I shaped this into a dome and baked on a cookie sheet at 400 degrees for 30 minutes and it turned out perfect. This bread was moist and chewy on the inside with a nice crust. I also loved the addition of the steel cut oats. I will definitely make again.

I made this bread to serve with Beef and Guinness Stew for St. Patrick's Day, and while I loved the stew, I was disappointed in the bread. It was super easy to make, but it just needed more sweetness to it because it was a little bland. Maybe it needed raisins and more brown sugar. I was expecting a dark brown bread, as shown in the picture, but it didn't turn out that dark. I'll try it with jam when I serve the leftovers. Maybe that will give it the needed sweetness.

Yummy! I added golden raisins and per other reviewers increased the brown sugar to 1/4 cup to make palatable for my husband and son and their sweet tooths! Wasn't very sweet but a lovely breakfast bread, and I liked it toasted with a piece of cheese for a snack.

Great recipe. I've been searching for a good brown bread recipe able to stand up to that of my Irish bf's mother's. This one got a "best brown bread yet" from the bf, so it's a keeper! One change... I only had rolled oats, and they worked just fine.

This is delicious bread -- smelled wonderful while baking and tasted great. I used scant measurements for the flour, and didn't have wheat germ and substituted ground flaxseed instead. I will definitely be making this again for family and company.

So good! For years I've made a brown bread recipe that called for a stick of butter. No more! This was delicious and I love the texture the steel cut oats lend to the loaf.

St Pats Day 2011, served with corned beef and cabbage. Cannot believe how healthy this bread is, I might have to make it on a regular basis. I topped the bread with Kerrigold garlic herb butter and slices of Dubliner imported cheese.

This bread is fabulous! I made it for my family for dinner tonight - St. Patrick's Day. It was a big hit - even my 14 and 15 year old loved it. I am impressed how the steel cut oats cooked up in this recipe. We eat them regularly for breakfast, but I have never used them in any other way. This recipe is a keeper!

I've just returned from Ireland and discovered this recipe. It really is the next best thing to being in Ireland. My grocery shop sells Irish butter which makes it even more delicious but not calorie friendly :) I've made about 10 loaves now and have given them away as gifts. I think the whole town is hooked!

This was okay but nothing special in my opinion. Based on all the great reviews maybe my expectations were out of line. I made as instructed though I didn't have wheat germ so I skipped that. I also just sprayed the pan and skipped the parchment since I didn't have any. Not sure why that is suggested since the bread came out of the pan easily without parchment. The bread was certainly easy to make and I like that it was quite a healthy, whole grain bread but I found it quite bland and tasteless. I made it to serve with the Beef and Guinness Stew and it served the purpose I needed which was a solid, substantial bread to have with the stew. I might make it again with the stew but probably not worth the trouble.

Almost the brown bread recipe I am searching for! The ultimate recipe is darker than this and a little molasses...This is the closest to what I enjoy in Ireland that I have stumbled upon so far!

quick, easy & delicious

Easy and delicious - this recipe comes out perfectly every time I make it.

Made this to go with CL lentil stew with ham and greens. This recipe is wonderful. The steel-cut oatmeal makes give it great texture - just like the artisan wheat bread they sell at the supermarket. Loved the flavor, so easy to make. I will definitely make this again.

AMAZING! This has become our staple bread. Very easy to make, goes great with any kind of soup, is awesome toasted and slices nicely for sandwiches. It also freezes well so we always make two and freeze one for later.

i made several loaves of quick bread for st patrick's day...this was the least favorite. it tasted very healthy, but i found it a little dense. nice toasted the next day with a little jam.

This bread was delicious and so simple to make. An hour and five minutes was the perfect cooking time in my oven. I sliced it warm to serve with the Ploughman's Platter, and it was delicious! I will be making another loaf this weekend.

Very good soda bread. Made for a St Patrick's day party today and everyone loved it! Quite hearty for a lowfat bread.

Absolutely delicious, tastes just like the bread they serve at a local Irish Pub! I served this with corned beef and cabbage tonight, and will definitely make it again. It would be great with the smoked salmon as suggested, or with beef stew! Very quick and easy too!

Wonderful. Came together quickly and made a hearty bread. Tastes best warm and freezes well.

Forgot to buy the wheat germ, so left out; made with beef and guiness stew in same issue; fantastic combo; is easy and good; almost as good as my Irish grandmothers.

delicious and easy! Great for breakfast. I had to buy quite a few ingredients (like the oats and wheat germ) but now that I have them, I will make this again.

This was really good. I haven't tried it with the salmon yet but I intend to. I served it with soup for dinner. The boyfriend was suspicious because it looked so "brown" (i.e., "healthy") but he wound up eating most of the slice I had cut for myself. I like that all of the ingredients are pantry items.

My sister made this last weekend, and as soon as I got home I had to make it too! Comes together so easily, and tastes fantastic. Great for toast in the morning.

Loved this and it was SO easy!!!

Super easy and delish :)

Absolutely delicious and very easy to make. I will make it again and again. Wonderful with smoked salmon or a strong Irish cheddar cheese.

Wonderful bread! Tastes like a true Irish Soda bread but with whole wheat and oatmeal! Will make again and again! Used for sandwiches and dunking. Followed the recipe exactly, except made my own buttermilk with lowfat milk and two tablespoons of lemon juice, but other than that, no changes! And it turned out great!