Sourdough Irish Brown Bread is hearty and savory because it’s made with whole wheat flour and a cup of sourdough discard. It’s easy to make and super tasty.

a loaf of sourdough irish brown bread on a table

If you don’t already have one, I can show you how to make a sourdough starter and how to feed a sourdough starter.

If you don’t have a starter, you can make traditional Irish Brown Bread, traditional Irish Soda bread or Oatmeal Apricot Soda Bread.

Recipe Ingredients

Whole wheat flour
Unbleached all purpose flour
Salt
Granulated sugar
Baking powder
Baking soda
Butter
Egg
Buttermilk
Sourdough Discard (100% hydration)

How to make Sourdough Irish Brown Bread:

two side by side photos showing how to mix sourdough irish brown bread

Mix the sourdough discard with the buttermilk.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients.

two side by side photos showing how to mix brown bread

Mix in the bowl until a “shaggy” dough is formed.
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead briefly to bring the dough together.

two photos showing how to shape irish brown bread

Form the dough into a ball.
Cut a deep “X” on the top of the loaf, brush with buttermilk and bake.

Tips for making Sourdough Irish Brown Bread:

This dough is so easy to make you don’t need to use a mixer. Mixing by hand helps ensure that you won’t over work and toughen the dough.
The “riper” your sourdough discard, the more tangy flavor you get in the loaf.
Cutting a deep X in the top of the loaf before it goes in the oven ensures that it will rise evenly without splitting in random places.
Sourdough Brown Bread is best the day it’s baked. Leftovers can be frozen, then defrosted and reheated.

a slice of irish brown bread on a green towel

a piece of irish brown bread on a plate with marmalade

Looking for more Irish inspired recipes?

I know you hate to throw away that sourdough discard. Check out these recipes that use sourdough discard.

Since you’ve got your starter fed, peruse the entire list of My Best Sourdough Recipes. Have fun!

If you love this recipe as much as I do, I’d really appreciate a 5-star review.

a slice of irish brown bread with butter on a plate

Print Recipe

5 from 14 reviews

Sourdough Irish Brown Bread Recipe

By: Eileen Gray

Sourdough Irish Brown Bread is hearty and savory because it’s made with whole wheat flour and a cup of sourdough discard. It's super easy to make and super tasty.

Prep Time30

Bake Time45

Total Time1 15

24 servings

Ingredients

10 oz whole wheat flour (2 cups)
2 ½ oz all purpose flour (½ cup )
½ oz granulated sugar (1 tablespoon)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 oz unsalted butter (2 tablespoons, room temperature)
1 egg (room temperature)
8 oz buttermilk (1 cup)
8 oz sourdough discard (1 cup)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 °F. Line a ½ sheet pan with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, all purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda. Add the butter and work in with your fingers until fully incorporated and there are no lumps larger than a pea.
10 oz whole wheat flour, 2 ½ oz all purpose flour, ½ oz granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon baking soda, 1 oz unsalted butter
Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Combine the egg, buttermilk and sourdough discard and pour into the well. Mix gently with a wooden spoon until it forms a shaggy dough and most of the buttermilk is incorporated.
1 egg, 8 oz buttermilk, 8 oz sourdough discard
Turn onto a floured surface and knead about 15-20 times until combined. Form the dough into a large round ball. Place the dough onto the parchment lined sheet pan and flatten the top a bit.
Using a sharp knife or a single edge razor blade cut a ½-¾" deep X shape across the top of the loaf. Brush the top of the loaf with buttermilk. Bake for 40-50 minutes until it is golden brown and the internal temperature is 200 °F.

Equipment

My Book

Half Sheet Pans

Parchment Sheets

Pastry Brush

Bowl Scraper

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Notes

I use King Arthur whole wheat flour and unbleached all purpose flour.

Nutrition

Have you tried this recipe?Mention @eileen.bakingsense or tag #bakingsense!

Ron

Saturday 12th of March 2022

First day nice and moist. Loved it later that day it gets like more bisket. Can I purchase more starter or butter to help this. 1 hour sourdough bread my other recipe is 19 hrs. Can u go 100% white flour? Thanks Ron

M Car

Friday 20th of August 2021

This was easy, healthy, delicious and best of all, quick, thank you!