• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Humbly Homemade
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Seasonal
  • About
  • Collaborate
  • Summer Baking
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Seasonal
  • About
  • Collaborate
  • Summer Baking
×
Home » Recipes » Seasonal

Cheese & Herb Irish Soda Bread

Published: Feb 22, 2023 · Updated: May 1, 2025 by Carissa Erzen · This post may contain affiliate links · 10 Comments

Jump to Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
5 from 5 votes

This hearty cheese & herb Irish soda bread has a dense yet soft and chewy texture. It doesn't require any yeast or rise time before baking. This traditional Irish bread tastes great in savory sandwiches, sweet bread pudding, or just sliced and slathered with butter and jam.

loaf of Cheese & Herb Irish Soda Bread cooling on a green linen.

What is Irish Soda Bread?

Soda bread does not have soda pop in it, as I thought as a kid. The "soda" comes from baking soda, which replaces yeast to help the bread rise. And since there is no yeast, the dough does not need to rise and proof, making it a very hearty and simple "quick bread".

Back when wallets and kitchen cupboards were sparse, soda bread gave folks energy and fullness in their bellies. Which is why traditional Irish soda bread is made from just four ingredients - flour, baking soda, salt, and buttermilk.

sliced rye bread topped with butter and jam.

This Irish soda bread recipe deviates a little from its traditional origins. I added shredded Irish cheddar cheese along with dried herbs and garlic powder, to give it a dynamic savory flavor. Seriously, cheese in bread makes everything better, like in my pull-apart cheese bread rolls.

I also switched out about a third of the all-purpose flour with rye flour, for a heartier taste and richer color. But keeping true to its roots, the only leavening agent is baking soda.

If you love this easy soda bread, I recommend baking more easy quick bread recipes like sweet banana bread or chocolate chip zucchini banana bread.

shredded Irish cheddar next to a cheese grater.

Ingredients and Notes

  • All purpose flour - provides the base structure for the bread
  • Rye flour - adds a nutty flavor and creates a darker brown colored bread
  • Salt - brings out the flavor of the other ingredients
  • Baking soda - serves as the essential leavening agent to help the bread rise while baking
  • Garlic powder - adds a savory flavor
  • Dried rosemary and thyme - herbs an enticing flavor and aroma to the bread
  • Shredded Irish cheddar cheese - adds a rich, tangy flavor
  • Buttermilk -the acidity of the buttermilk reacts with the alkaline baking soda to make the bread rise in the oven without any yeast
sliced loaf of rye bread ready to be served.

How to Make this Recipe

  1. Preheat: Preheat the oven to 420°F.
  2. Mix dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, rye flour, salt, baking soda, garlic powder, dried rosemary and dried thyme.
  3. Add cheese: Stir the shredded cheese into the dry ingredients.
  4. Add buttermilk: Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the buttermilk.
  5. Mix: Mix the dough in the mixing bowl until it is soft. It shouldn't feel wet or sticky; if it does, add a little more all-purpose flour.
  6. Knead: Knead the dough for just a few seconds, either in the bowl or on a lightly floured work surface.
  7. Shape & score: Shape the dough into a dome that is about 7-inches wide. Use a sharp knife to cut a big X into the top of the bread, about one inch deep.
  8. Bake: Bake the bread on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for 40 to 60 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the bottom sounds hollow when you tap it.
  9. Cool and serve: Allow the bread to cool for at least 30 minutes, then slice and enjoy!!
overhead view of a baked loaf of Cheese & Herb Irish Soda Bread.

Recipe Tips

  • Scoring an X on the top of the bread before baking it helps the center to bake through and it encourages the top to get crispy.
  • Don't over mix the dough. Stop mixing once there are no visible pockets of dry flour. Overmixing your dough can result in tough bread.
  • To make homemade buttermilk, combine a scant 1½ cups of milk with 1½ tablespoons lemon juice or white vinegar. Let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes to curdle into buttermilk.

Storing

Room Temperature: Store cooled bread at room temperature in a paper bag or clean kitchen towel at room temperature for up to 4 days.

Freezer: Freeze cooled bread wrapped in plastic cling wrap then aluminum foil for up to 3 months in the freezer. Thaw the bread at room temperature.

Reheat: The best way to reheat soda bread is to slice it and toast it for a minute or two in a toaster.

slices of Cheese & Herb Irish Soda Bread topped with butter and jam.

What to serve with Irish soda bread

I personally think this cheese and herb Irish soda bread tastes delicious when slathered with quality butter or even homemade vegan butter.

I think in Ireland it might also be served alongside beef or lamb stew at dinner. Perhaps I'll need to make a trip to Ireland to find out! For research purposes of course... 🙂

Sliced, toasted soda bread also tastes great with butternut squash and leek soup, easy vegan chickpea soup, and vegetarian chili with beans.

Irish Roots

Some of my family on my mom's side immigrated from Ireland. My Grandpa's mom, known to us as "Granny" certainly had an Irish unbreakable spitfire spirit. In fact, she was buried with a bottle of whiskey and a deck of cards. Baking this traditionally Irish helps me peek into the window of my family's heritage.

Cheese & Herb Irish Soda Bread

Carissa Erzen
Irish soda bread is traditionally made with just baking soda, flour, salt and buttermilk. This recipe adds Irish cheddar cheese and dried herbs to enhance the flavor of this timeless classic.
5 from 5 votes
Print Pin Recipe Rate Recipe Save Saved Recipe!
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 50 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins
Course Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine Irish
Servings 10 servings
Calories 237 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1½ cups rye flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried and chopped rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 cup shredded Irish cheddar cheese
  • 1½ cups buttermilk

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 420°F.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, rye flour, salt, baking soda, garlic powder, dried rosemary and dried thyme.
  • Stir the shredded cheese into the dry ingredients.
  • Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the buttermilk.
  • Mix the dough in the mixing bowl until it is soft. It shouldn't feel wet or sticky; if it does add a little more all-purpose flour.
    Knead the dough for just a few seconds, either in the bowl or on a clean kitchen surface.
    Shape the dough into a dome that is about 7-inches wide. Using a sharp knife, cut a big X or cross into the top of the bread, about one inch deep.
  • Bake the bread on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for 40 to 60 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the bottom sounds hollow when you tap it.
  • Allow the bread to cool for at least 30 minutes, then slice and enjoy!

Notes

    • Don't over mix the dough. Stop mixing once there are no visible pockets of dry flour. Overmixing your dough can result in tough bread.
    • To make homemade buttermilk, combine a scant 1½ cups of milk with 1½ tablespoons lemon juice or white vinegar. Let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes to curdle into buttermilk.
    • Freeze cooled bread wrapped in plastic cling wrap then aluminum foil for up to three months in the freezer. Thaw the bread at room temperature, then slice and toast it to enjoy warm bread.
  •  

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 237kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 9gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 455mgPotassium: 152mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 177IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 132mgIron: 2mg
Keyword herb and cheese bread, rye bread, soda bread, traditional Irish soda bread
Did you make this recipe?Leave a comment below - I love hearing from you!

More Delicious Seasonal Recipes

  • A loaf of dark orange bread next to two slices.
    Rustic Tomato Basil Bread (Dutch Oven)
  • Pink cookies in a pile with sliced freeze dried strawberries on top.
    Strawberry Sugar Cookies (Fresh & Freeze Dried Strawberries!)
  • A slice of cake filled with blackberries on a plate.
    Easy Lemon Blackberry Cake with Lemon Glaze
  • A purple cake topped with fresh lemon slices and dried lavender flowers.
    Moist Lemon Lavender Cake with Lemon Drizzle

About Carissa Erzen

Growing up in Germany, I fell head-over-heels in love with ALL the German baked goods, from Lebkuchen to pretzels. Now I'm the founder, recipe developer, and food photographer behind Humbly Homemade, where I test and share German sweets lovingly created from scratch. So pull up a chair, and stay a while!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lindsey

    December 21, 2024 at 12:39 pm

    5 stars
    I am rewatching Boardwalk Empire on HBO and a character makes Irish soda bread. I wanted to make a dinner with recipes from that era, and knew I needed the bread. I looked up a classic recipe and wasn't sure about it, until I found this one with cheese!! I really loved the cheese in it, even if it's not super traditional for the 1920's, but I used Kerrygold brand cheddar so I feel like that counts lol!

    Reply
  2. Maria

    July 25, 2024 at 3:31 am

    5 stars
    I love how easy this was to make and how delicious it is. I didn't have any dried herbs, so I used fresh herbs from our garden! I love this combo of herbs with the cheese!!

    Reply
    • Carissa Erzen

      July 30, 2024 at 2:36 pm

      Thank you! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Giselle

    July 23, 2024 at 12:38 pm

    5 stars
    I love the texture of this bread. It's hearty and chewy, and I have been eating it with cheese and sliced turkey for breakfast. Thanks for sharing this recipe!

    Reply
    • Carissa Erzen

      July 30, 2024 at 2:44 pm

      Ooh that sounds like a delicious sandwich!

      Reply
  4. Carole

    July 23, 2024 at 12:37 pm

    5 stars
    I loved reading about your Granny! And I baked a loaf of this bread last week - it was absolutely delicious!

    Reply
  5. Yum-number1

    October 05, 2021 at 10:31 am

    You have to sprinkle some luck of the Irish on there too! Looks good!!

    Reply
    • strawberryandcream

      October 05, 2021 at 9:28 pm

      Of course! That is the secret ingredient! 🍀

      Reply
  6. Azilde Elizabeth

    October 05, 2021 at 2:54 am

    This looks amazing!

    Reply
    • strawberryandcream

      October 05, 2021 at 9:23 pm

      Thank you!! It was definitely more flavorful that I was expecting! 🍞

      Reply
5 from 5 votes (1 rating without comment)

I'm eggcited to hear from you :) Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

A girl in a pink apron sitting on a kitchen counter.

Hello, I'm Carissa!

I'm the founder, recipe developer, and food photographer behind Humbly Homemade. Inspired by my childhood growing up in Germany, I share recipes of delicious German bakes from scratch.

Learn More

Stay Connected

  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok

Sign Up + Never Miss a New Recipe!

Summer Baking

  • Easy Lavender Lemon Shortbread Cookie Bars
  • Easy Streusel Plum Yogurt Cake (without oil)
  • Peach Strudel with Fresh Peaches & Phyllo Dough
  • Cherry Strudel | Cherry Puff Pastry Tart

Trending Recipes

  • German Butter Cookie Biscuits | Butterkekse
  • Authentic German Apple Strudel from Scratch
  • Blueberry Strudel with Phyllo Dough
  • Spicy Peanut Butter Noodles

Footer

Let's Get Baking!

No baking experience? No problem! I've spent the past six years developing fool-proof recipes that anyone can create.

About

  • About
  • Work with Me
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure Policy
  • Shop

Recipes

  • Recipe Index
  • Cookies
  • Cake
  • Bread
  • Dessert
  • Breakfast

Connect

  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok

Copyright © 2025 Humbly Homemade. All rights reserved.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Rate This Recipe!

Your vote:




Let us know what you thought of this recipe:

This worked exactly as written, thanks!
My family loved this!
Thank you for sharing this recipe - it was absolutely delish!!

Or write in your own words:

A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.