What Makes Up A “Full Irish” Breakfast and Why Should You Try It?

One thing that Ireland is known for is its generous breakfast. Back to the days of hard labor, the Irish full breakfast was originally created for farmers to satiate their stomachs and make their bodies ready for tiring work. People may find some changes and upgrades in the recipe over the years but the tradition continues. The meal still grips the local produce and homemade ingredients, all of which are cooked in a frying pan with a dressing of the country’s iconic butter.

You’re lucky enough to experience waking up in an Irish hotel and get to be asked if you’d like a “Full Irish” for breakfast. Saying no is something that you’d probably regret so give it a try and learn what a Full Irish has to offer.

Butter

A wedge of creamy butter is slathered on the pan as an alternative to cooking oil. It adds flavor to the dish, especially when it’s pure Irish butter. 

Bacon 

Bacon is a top essential to achieve an authentic Full Irish breakfast. You can ask for a standard cooking method but glazed bacon is much better if you want to get fancy. 

Bangers

These bangers are sausages that will add sweetness to your Irish breakfast. If you want to round up with a great morning menu, you can try maple-glazed bangers and enjoy their sugar-and-spice-kissed flavor. 

Egg

Sunny-side-up eggs, of course! Eggs are major essential for a breakfast meal in most countries. You can try them with other cooking styles but for the authenticity of an Irish breakfast, sunny-side-up makes a perfect choice.

Black and White Pudding

An Irish breakfast is usually compared to Britain’s as there are many common ingredients found in both countries’ early morning feasts. But what makes you distinguish an Irish breakfast is the inclusion of black and white pudding. This kind of pudding that is also called drisheen is actually a pork sausage that you’ll find in both black and white versions.

Steakhouse Mushrooms

Steakhouse mushrooms are sauteed up and served in Full Irish breakfast as a booster to start the day strong. Your body gains 205 calories in 1 serving of steakhouse mushrooms.

Marmalade Toast

Irish people usually toast soda bread to differentiate their meal from a British breakfast. Soda bread is made with no yeast or any long riser. Nothing beats a marmalade toast if you want to indulge in a sweet-savory feast. Some people would also use fried potato farl or potato pancake as an alternative to soda bread.

Grilled or Oven-dried Tomatoes

Tomatoes are often sprinkled with seasonings. While some people would like them grilled or oven-dried, others would prefer them baked with mozzarella or parmesan. 

Baked Beans

Another essential element of Irish breakfast that will add protein and fiber to your morning routine is plainly delicious baked beans.

Morning Tea

To complete the breakfast table, morning tea is commonly served with Full Irish breakfast as a fat burner and antioxidant.