No buttermilk? No problem. Irish soda bread without buttermilk will have you cutting into freshly baked bread that you can serve savory or sweet. Pair it with spreads like butter, fig jam, and marmalade, or hearty meals like Instant Pot beef stew or Dutch oven corned beef and cabbage.
Why is it called Soda Bread?
Traditional soda bread comes from Ireland and dates back to the 1800s, when baking soda became widely available. Instead of yeast, soda bread uses baking soda as the leavening agent (hence the name), eliminating the need for time-consuming proofing.
Traditional Irish soda bread relies on buttermilk for its signature tang and tender crumb. But let’s be honest, most of us don’t just casually have buttermilk hanging out in the fridge. I had to learn quick substitutions to make soda bread without buttermilk. This easy bread recipe shows you how to make hearty homemade bread without buttermilk. Just in time for your St. Patrick’s Day meal!
Can You Make Irish Soda Bread without Buttermilk?
Buttermilk does two important things. It adds the acidity needed for the baking soda reaction and imparts a subtle tangy flavor.
As a home cook, I believe in using what you have. Sometimes, that means using substitutions, whether you need to find a substitute for Napa cabbage or ingredients like chia seeds or simple syrup.
To replace buttermilk, we simply make our own version by adding acid to regular milk. If you need a buttermilk substitute, several combinations work well for the bread. Whatever you decide to use, this recipe will give you the details for making soda bread without buttermilk.
- Lemon Juice
- White Vinegar
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Greek Yogurt
- Sour Cream
- Cream of Tartar
- Plain Kefir
Key Ingredients
This soda bread without buttermilk uses simple pantry ingredients and a quick homemade substitute that works beautifully. It’s crusty on the outside, soft and tender inside, and perfect with salted butter, jam, or alongside a cozy bowl of soup. Here’s what you need to get started.
- Milk: Milk adds moisture and contributes to the bread’s overall texture. Use regular milk or a non-dairy alternative, such as almond or oat milk.
- Lemon Juice: Baking soda, combined with an acid, creates bubbles to lighten baked goods. In this recipe, baking soda, milk, and lemon juice react quickly, so the Irish soda bread dough doesn’t require a lengthy rise like in recipes for old-fashioned cinnamon rolls. You can also use Greek yogurt or sour cream.
- Flour: All-purpose flour is a staple in most pantries. You can also use whole wheat flour or gluten-free flour to meet your dietary needs, though I haven’t tested the recipe with those variations.
- Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate): Baking soda is a leavening agent that helps dough rise by producing carbon dioxide gas when it reacts with acidic ingredients. In this case, it reacts with the acidity of lemon juice in the milk, so be sure to use fresh baking soda to ensure it is active.
- Salt: Sea salt enhances the bread’s flavor.
Additions and Substitutions
While soda bread is delicious on its own, adding a few mix-ins or toppings can elevate the crusty loaf.
- Experiment with mix-ins. Make Irish soda bread however you like, which means deciding whether you want it to be savory or sweet.
- Seeds: Sunflower Seeds, Pumpkin Seeds, Sesame Seeds, Caraway Seeds
- Nuts: Walnuts, Pistachios, Almonds
- Fruit: Raisins, Craisins
- Herbs: Rosemary, Thyme
Equipment
I use a Dutch oven to bake Irish soda bread without buttermilk, but you can bake it on a rimmed baking sheet, roasting pan, or pizza stone. You will also need a sharp knife or bread lame to score the bread.
How to Make Irish Soda Bread Without Buttermilk
The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C). Combine milk and lemon juice in a small bowl or liquid measuring cup. Set it aside for 10 minutes.
Step 2: Mix flour, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.
Step 3: Create a well in the dry ingredients and add the oil and reserved sour milk. Combine to form a sticky dough.
Step 4: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and form a round, rustic loaf or disc that is 3 cm high using your hands.
Step 5: Prepare a Dutch oven by lining it with parchment paper, then add the dough. Use a bread lame or a sharp knife to make a deep cross cut across the top of the loaf. Bake for 30 minutes.
Step 6: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before serving.
How do you know when soda bread is done?
To know when bread is done cooking, tap on the crust and listen for a hollow sound.
Expert Tips
Soda bread is one of the easiest breads to bake, and all you need to make it is fresh lemon juice, milk, flour, salt, and oil. But here are some tips to get the perfect crumb.
- No need to knead. Irish soda bread without buttermilk is rustic, so it doesn’t need to look perfect. While forming the dough, don’t worry about making it perfectly round; there’s no need to overwork or knead it.
- Score the bread. Use a sharp knife, razor, or bread lame to score a deep cross on the top of the dough to ensure the center cooks at the same rate as the rest of the bread.
- Use higher heat. Soda bread bakes at a higher temperature than other bread recipes. Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C) and bake the bread for 30-40 minutes, or until it sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Set it aside to rest. Let the bread cool completely before slicing for the best results.
Whip up a loaf of easy soda bread without buttermilk and pair it with one of these dinner recipes!
What to Serve With Soda Bread
Unlike traditional bread, this quick bread relies on baking soda and soured milk instead of yeast—no proofing required! That means it’s ready to enjoy in no time. Serve the bread as is, spread with savory bone marrow butter, homemade fig jam, whipped ricotta dip and honey, mashed avocado, or your favorite nut or seed butter.
It also pairs well with hearty meals like braised short ribs in wine, instant pot Mississippi pot roast, and various beef stew recipes, to soak up all the extra flavor.
What To Do With Leftovers
- Storage: Soda bread can dry out quickly, so I recommend covering it with plastic wrap and wrapping it in foil. Leave it at room temperature for three days, but it’s best enjoyed fresh.
- Freeze: For longer storage, slice and freeze bread in a freezer-safe container or bag for 2-3 months. Toast directly from frozen.
- Repurpose: Use the leftover bread to replace rye and make a Reuben.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is buttermilk used in soda bread?
Unlike other bread recipes, soda bread relies on the reaction between the bicarbonate of soda and the acid in the buttermilk to flavor the bread and help it rise.
Can you over-knead soda bread?
If you want to knead the dough, limit it to 5-6 times to form the bread into a round loaf (especially if the dough is extra sticky). If you over knead a no-yeast bread like soda bread, it results in a dense crumb. As a rule of thumb, the softer the crumb, the less you knead.
More Bread Recipes:
Soda Bread Without Buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice, about one lemon
- 2 cups milk
- 4¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon seas alt
- 1 teaspoon oil
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C). Combine milk and lemon juice in a small bowl or liquid measuring cup. Set it aside for 10 minutes.
- Mix flour, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.
- Create a well in the dry ingredients and add the oil and reserved sour milk. Combine to form a sticky dough.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and form a round, rustic loaf or disc that is 3 cm high using your hands.
- Prepare a Dutch oven by lining it with parchment paper, then add the dough. Use a bread lame or a sharp knife to make a deep cross cut across the top of the loaf. Bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before serving.
- No need to knead. Irish soda bread without buttermilk is rustic, so it doesn’t need to look perfect. While forming the dough, don’t worry about making it perfectly round; there’s no need to overwork or knead it.
- Score the bread. Use a sharp knife, razor, or bread lame to score a deep cross on the top of the dough to ensure the center cooks at the same rate as the rest of the bread.
- Use higher heat. Soda bread bakes at a higher temperature than other bread recipes. Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C) and bake the bread for 30-40 minutes, or until it sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Set it aside to rest. Let the bread cool completely before slicing for the best results.