Let’s talk breakfast! Every country has its own breakfast and traditions…. And let’s face it: Ireland is a master in this field! Known as the“Traditional Irish Breakfast“,“Full Irish Breakfast” or “Irish Fry“: the“made in Ireland” breakfast is a real tribute to Irish delicacy and generosity!
Considered a must-see, it’s a must-do experience at least once in your life if you’re visiting Ireland. In fact, it’s a must for anyone wishing to learn about Irish customs!
More concretely, an“Irish breakfast ” consists essentially of eggs, bacon, beans and sausages (sometimes mushrooms, tomatoes and potato pancakes, but this depends on the region).
But since the Irish aren’t afraid to mix the sweet with the savory, you’ll also be treated to toast with jam, and scones accompanied by Irish tea, coffee, orange juice and milk. It’s your choice, and it’s a treat! A great way to sample the incomparable sense of Irish hospitality! We recommend it!
Traditional Irish breakfast
An ultra-generous meal that starts the day off on the right foot!
A traditional Irish breakfast in Ireland – Shutterstock
For the Irish, Irish Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Although many Irish people are beginning to abandon it, because of the time required to prepare it, it nevertheless remains a flagship dish of Irish gastronomy… one you come across everywhere, whether in pubs, hotels, restaurants or Irish homes.
It has to be said that this dish plays the card of simple, generous products, which, when brought together, produce what is the very essence of Irish hospitality: generosity.
Historically, this breakfast was mainly intended for Irish farmers. The harshness of their day meant that they had to build up as much strength as possible before going out to work the land and the farms. And the composition of the Irish breakfast alone was enough to get you ready for a hard day’s work!
Over the centuries, this meal has spread to the entire Irish population… so much so, that this breakfast has become one of the emblematic dishes of the Irish nation!
The tastes are particularly comforting, and will convince even the most reluctant of sweet/savory morning meals. That’s the success of this traditional dish from Ireland: it convinces everyone… and delights even the most demanding!
Where to eat an Irish breakfast in Ireland?
Focus on your accommodation, or on an Irish pub/restaurant!
An Irish breakfast from Tom Crean Fish & Wine Accommodation
Forget the preconceived notion of a sweet and savoury breakfast. Whether or not you like to eat in the morning, whether or not you prefer sweeter dishes… the Irish breakfast should be able to convince you… and seduce you!
But the question often arises: where can you enjoy a good “Full Irish Breakfast” in Ireland?
There are many possibilities:
- Are you staying in a B&B? Breakfast is generally included in the package. (sometimes optional, but this is rare). It is generally served from 7:30am to 10:00am. Don’t hesitate to ask them before booking.
- Would you like to discover it on a visit to a town or small Irish village? Many Irish pubs offer it à la carte, as do some brunch restaurants. Beware, however, of opening times: some establishments only serve it from 9am to 11am.
A veritable institution, an Irish breakfast worthy of the name makes use of the country’s regional products. Everything is fresh and authentic: from Clonakilty black and white pudding to bacon and eggs… not to mention their homemade bread, inimitable sausages and whiskey marmalade… a real treat for the taste buds!
And you can taste it! Authentic products with character, perfectly matched with sweet and savory ingredients. The whole package is a little rich, but ultra-friendly and will give you the energy you need to start the day! (In fact, it’s common to eat it for breakfast… and skip lunch).
A good Irish breakfast costs between €8 and €13 on average (sometimes more in some establishments, but it all depends on where you are).
If you’re at the pub, don’t be surprised if they recommend a pint of Guinness as an accompaniment: it’s a little Irish tradition, but not compulsory, of course! (not all Irish people eat it first thing in the morning, we assure you). Nevertheless, Irish stout goes well with the dish.
It is then important to take the time to taste. You’ll then be ready for the rest of the morning, and won’t have to wait as long as usual for your lunch!
If you’re not in Ireland and would still like to discover this gastronomic delight, it’s easy to prepare an Irish Breakfast. Here is the most common recipe used in Ireland:
Irish breakfast recipe
First and foremost, it’s extremely easy to cook this kind of breakfast. The trick, of course, is to coordinate everything so that it’s hot by the time breakfast is served. So here are just a few tips to ensure you have a 100% Irish meal.
The ingredients
The basic ingredients of this traditional breakfast are as follows:
- Eggs
- Bacon slices
- Irish sausages
- Black and/or white pudding rounds (Black Pudding and White Pudding)
- Brown Bread (traditional cereal-based brown bread)
- Porridge
- Butter
- Irish Breakfast Tea
- Café
- Milk
- Orange juice
Preparation
- To get started, place the raw bacon slices in a frying pan and heat. The slices should be golden brown before being placed on the plate.
- You can also cook the Irish sausages over a low heat. Don’t forget to turn them over as they cook.
- At the same time, place slices of Black Pudding and White Pudding in the pan. Fry on both sides for a few minutes.
- Bring the milk and rolled oats to the boil in a saucepan to prepare the Porridge and place the mixture in bowls which you will season with salt, sugar, honey, raisins…etc. according to your preference.
- This time, take a new frying pan and prepare either fried eggs or scrambled eggs (your choice).
- Toast some Brown Bread, spread the toast with butter and, if you like, cut it into triangular shapes for an attractive presentation.
- Prepare Irish Breakfast Tea, or coffee to your liking.
- Serve everyone a large glass of orange juice.
- Serve each preparation on the same plate.
- Finally, don’t forget to place butter, jam, fruit and fresh bread on the dining table.
- Now you can taste it!
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