Full Irish Breakfast
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Recipe Intro From dianemorrisey
Experience the joy of an authentic, full Irish breakfast with this easy and delicious recipe! Imagine a plate filled with sizzling bacon, juicy sausages, and perfectly cooked golden-fried eggs. This hearty and traditional meal guarantees a flavorful start to your day that you'll never forget.
Recipe Description
An old motto says, “Eat breakfast like a King, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper,” meaning it is wise to start the day with a hearty breakfast to sustain you throughout the day. This adage certainly applies to the traditional full Irish Breakfast. Initially, this meal was assembled to fuel a day of work on the farm, especially on cold winter mornings.
While opinions vary on the exact contents of an Irish breakfast, the main ingredients typically include bacon, sausages, beans, eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes, and potatoes. These ingredients are fried in some Irish butter and served with a side of soda or brown bread.
- Full Irish Breakfast Ingredients
- Test Kitchen Notes
- FAQs
- Recipe Card
Full Irish Breakfast Ingredients
Baked Beans
Choose "Irish-style" baked beans for a genuine Irish flavor. They are sweeter and less savory than regular baked beans. Brands such as Heinz and Batchelor are recommended. You can use any baked beans variety for a similar dish if unavailable.
Sausages
Traditional Irish breakfast sausages, known as "bangers," are vital to the Full Irish Breakfast. Spices like nutmeg, mace, and pepper often season them, giving them a unique and delicious flavor. Any high-quality pork sausage will substitute if you can't find bangers.
Brown Bread (or Brown Soda Bread
Brown bread is a standard part of a Full Irish Breakfast, adding a filling and healthy component to the meal. Use a hearty whole-grain or rustic artisan loaf, or make homemade Irish Soda Bread if you can't find these specific bread types. This will give you a similar texture and flavor.
Test Kitchen Notes
Preparation Tip
Consider preparing some components of the Full Irish Breakfast in advance to save time.
Mushroom Varieties
Experiment with different types of mushrooms, such as cremini or shiitake, for added flavor and texture.
Vegetarian Option
Remove bacon and sausages, and add extra veggies such as roasted bell peppers or spinach.
Potato Types
Choose starchy potatoes like Russet or Idaho for the tastiest and most textured roasted potatoes.
Perfect Pairing
Serve the Full Irish Breakfast with a cup of tea, coffee, or orange juice for a classic and comforting meal.
For Fun
Aside from its traditional components, the only rule for a full breakfast is that it must be finished. A Full Irish is like a good book - if you don't see it through to the end, what was the point in starting in the first place?
FAQs
What is Ireland's famous breakfast?
Ireland's famous breakfast is the Full Irish Breakfast, a traditional fry-up. It typically includes bacon, sausages, eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes, baked beans, and brown bread or soda bread.
What does a full Irish breakfast include?
An Irish breakfast includes bacon, sausages, eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes, baked beans, and bread. Sometimes, it may also include black pudding and white pudding.
What is the difference between a full English breakfast and a full Irish breakfast?
The main difference between a full English and a full Irish breakfast is the inclusion of certain ingredients. Irish and English breakfasts usually have bacon, sausages, eggs, mushrooms, and tomatoes. However, Irish breakfasts also have white and black pudding, not usually found in English breakfasts.
What is a full breakfast served in Northern Ireland called?
People in Northern Ireland also call a full breakfast a Full Irish Breakfast. It has the same things as a Full Irish Breakfast: bacon, sausages, eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes, baked beans, and bread.
How does Bubble and Squeak differ from an Irish Breakfast?
Bubble and Squeak differ from an Irish Breakfast in several ways. Firstly, people make Bubble and Squeak from leftovers and prepare fresh Irish breakfast. Bubble and Squeak are primarily vegetables, while an Irish Breakfast has different meats like bacon and sausages. Bubble and Squeak is a side dish or light meal, while an Irish Breakfast is a filling main meal.
Recipe Card
For the Baked Beans
ingredients
- 2 (15 ounce) cans baked beans (preferably Heinz)
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
- Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
- 3 slices cooked crispy bacon, chopped
For the Tomatoes
ingredients
- 1 beefsteak tomato
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
For the Potatoes
ingredients
- 1 potato
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
For the Plate
ingredients
- 2 slices bacon
- 1 sausage
- 1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 2 eggs
- 3 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1 slice brown bread or soda bread
To make the Baked Beans
Method
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
Step 2
Combine the baked beans, brown sugar, onion, ketchup, Dijon, Worcestershire sauce, red wine vinegar, bacon, salt and pepper in a 9-inch baking dish. Stir to combine.
Step 3
Bake for 1 hour until the beans are bubbling and the mixture has thickened.
Step 4
Remove from the oven and set aside to cool until ready to serve.
To make the Tomatoes:
Step 1
Raise the oven to 425ºF.
Step 2
Slice the tomato into 1/4-inch thick slices.
Step 3
Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Step 4
Place the tomatoes on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Step 5
Roast until softened and browned in spots, about 25 minutes.
To make the Potatoes:
Step 1
Cut the potato into medium cubes, about ½ inch thick.
Step 2
Drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
Step 3
Spread in an even layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Step 4
Roast for 20 minutes until golden brown, flipping halfway through.
To assemble the plate:
Step 1
Heat one tablespoon of butter in a cast-iron skillet on medium heat.
Step 2
Fry the bacon and sausage until crispy, about 3 minutes on each side. Transfer to a plate.
Step 3
Add the mushrooms to the skillet and cook until soft, about 4 minutes. Transfer to the plate.
Step 4
Cook the eggs in the skillet, frying them for 3-4 minutes until the whites set and the yolks remain runny. Add more butter to the skillet as needed.
Step 5
Once you cook everything, arrange it all on the plate with the bacon and mushrooms. Serve with a slice of bread.