An Old-Fashioned Southern Take on a St. Patrick’s Day Classic
St. Patrick’s Day doesn’t show up loud and flashy in the South—but it does show up quietly, in the kitchen. It looks like a simple recipe passed down, flour dust on the counter, and something warm baking while the house fills with that familiar, comforting smell. That’s always felt more our style anyway.
One recipe we come back to each year is a simple Irish-style soda bread, made the way a Southern cook would—no frills, no shortcuts, just good ingredients and a little patience. It’s the kind of bread that pairs just as well with corned beef as it does with butter and honey the next morning.
We make ours using organic flour from Azure Standard, and that choice really matters here. Soda bread is humble by nature, which means every ingredient has to pull its weight. Good flour gives it structure, flavor, and that hearty texture that feels both rustic and nourishing.
Old-Fashioned Southern Soda Bread (St. Patrick’s Day)
Ingredients:
4 cups organic all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1½ to 2 cups buttermilk
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 400°F. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add the buttermilk, stirring just until a soft dough forms. Turn it out onto a floured surface, shape gently into a round loaf (don’t overwork it), and place on a baking sheet or cast-iron skillet. Cut a deep cross into the top and bake for about 35–40 minutes, until golden and hollow-sounding when tapped.
That’s it. No yeast. No rise time. Just a straightforward, dependable loaf.
What we love about this recipe is how old-world and Southern it feels at the same time. It’s practical, filling, and made from pantry staples you likely already have on hand—especially if you keep your shelves stocked with quality ingredients. The bread lasts for days, toasts beautifully, and somehow tastes even better slathered with butter from the fridge.
St. Patrick’s Day doesn’t need to be complicated to be meaningful. Sometimes it’s enough to honor tradition by slowing down, baking something simple, and sharing it with the people at your table. That’s the kind of celebration that feels right—quiet, warm, and rooted in good food.