What is a traditional full Irish breakfast – This breakfast in Ireland consists of a variety of hot and cold items, including bacon, eggs, black pudding, white pudding, baked beans, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, and sometimes sausage.
It is often served with toast, butter, and marmalade or jam, and is typically accompanied by a hot beverage such as tea or coffee. The full Irish breakfast is a hearty meal that is intended to sustain one through the day and is often enjoyed as a leisurely brunch or breakfast on weekends.
Related Travel Guides:
- How To Get From Dublin Airport To City Center
- Best Restaurants In Dublin
- Best Irish Food
- Scottish Breakfast
- Irish Breakfast Drink
- Things to know before visiting Ireland
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WHERE TO STAY IN IRELAND
You can access a dorm that can go up to €18-30. And while a hotel that is a double room in a budget can go up to €90.
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What is a Full Irish Breakfast – Traditional Breakfast in Ireland
Why is the traditional breakfast in Ireland, the full Irish breakfast this heavy?
The full Irish breakfast is heavy because it is a traditional, hearty meal that is meant to sustain a person through the day. In the past, many Irish people worked long hours in manual labor jobs and needed a substantial meal to provide energy and nourishment. The full Irish breakfast is a way of continuing this tradition and providing a filling, nutritious start to the day.
Additionally, many of the components of the breakfast, such as black pudding and white pudding, are made with ingredients like oats, barley, and pork fat, which are filling and high in calories. Overall, the full Irish breakfast is meant to be a satisfying and filling meal that will keep a person full until lunchtime.
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The difference between Irish breakfast vs English Breakfast – Breakfast in Ireland
The full English breakfast typically includes items such as bacon, eggs, sausage, grilled tomatoes, baked beans, black pudding, and toast. In comparison, the full Irish breakfast also includes these items but may also include white pudding and/or additional items such as mushrooms or potatoes.
Another difference between the two is the type of bacon used. A full English breakfast is usually made with back bacon, while a full Irish breakfast is made with streaky bacon. Additionally, the full English breakfast is often served with brown sauce, while the full Irish breakfast is more commonly served with tomato ketchup.
Back bacon (English Breakfast) vs Streaky bacon (Irish Breakfast)
Back bacon is cut from the loin of the pig and is a leaner cut of bacon with less fat. It is usually thicker and has a meatier texture than other types of bacon. Back bacon is often served as a slice, similar to ham, and is a popular ingredient in the full English breakfast.
Streaky bacon, on the other hand, is cut from the belly of the pig and is a fatty cut of bacon with visible marbling. It is usually thinner and has a softer texture than back bacon. Streaky bacon is typically served as rashers and is a popular ingredient in the full Irish breakfast.
Both back bacon and streaky bacon are delicious, but the choice between the two often comes down to personal preference and the dish being prepared.
Irish Full Breakfast vs English Full Breakfast vs Scottish Full Breakfast
The Full English Breakfast typically consists of eggs, bacon, sausages, black pudding, baked beans, grilled tomatoes, and fried bread or mushrooms. It is a hearty meal that is typically consumed as a substantial start to the day.
The Full Irish Breakfast typically includes eggs, bacon, sausages, black pudding, white pudding, grilled tomatoes, and fried mushrooms. It also often includes baked beans, but less frequently than the English breakfast. The Full Irish Breakfast is considered a staple of Irish cuisine, and is often enjoyed as a weekend treat.
The Scottish Breakfast typically consists of eggs, bacon, sausages, black pudding, grilled tomatoes, baked beans, and fried mushrooms. It often includes Haggis, a savory pudding made from sheep’s heart, liver, and lungs, which is considered a national dish of Scotland. The Scottish Breakfast is typically enjoyed as a substantial meal to start the day, and is especially popular in Scotland as a weekend treat.
Irish Breakfast Tea vs English Breakfast Tea
Breakfast tea is a popular drink in both the full English and full Irish breakfast cultures. In both England and Ireland, tea is often consumed as a hot beverage with breakfast and is considered a staple part of the meal. In fact, tea is such an important part of the traditional English and Irish breakfast experience that it is often referred to as “a cup of tea” or “a pot of tea” in these countries.
While tea is commonly associated with the afternoon, in England and Ireland it is also enjoyed as a morning beverage, especially with breakfast. Both black tea blends, such as English Breakfast or Irish Breakfast tea, as well as herbal and green teas, are popular choices for breakfast.
English tea and Irish tea are both types of black tea blends that are traditionally consumed in England and Ireland, respectively. However, there is no set definition of what constitutes an English tea or an Irish tea, and the blends can vary widely depending on the tea merchant or region.
In general, English tea is thought to be a strong, robust blend that is well-suited to be enjoyed with a hearty breakfast. English Breakfast tea, one of the most popular types of English tea, is typically made from a blend of Assam, Ceylon, and Kenyan teas and is known for its full-bodied, malty flavor.
Irish tea, on the other hand, is often thought to be a smoother, more balanced blend that is well-suited to be enjoyed on its own or with a light meal. Irish Breakfast tea, one of the most popular types of Irish tea, is typically made from a blend of Assam and Kenyan teas and is known for its smooth, well-rounded flavor.
What makes breakfast in Ireland Unique?
Other Irish Breakfast Food in Ireland
Porridge
Porridge is a traditional Irish breakfast staple made with oats, milk or water, and sweetened with sugar or honey. The oats are cooked slowly until they become creamy and thick, and the mixture is then sweetened with sugar or honey to taste. Porridge is a filling and nutritious breakfast option and is a staple in many Irish households.
Boxty
Boxty is a traditional Irish potato pancake made from grated raw and boiled potatoes, flour, and buttermilk. The mixture is formed into small cakes and fried until crispy and golden brown. Boxty is often served for breakfast and is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of toppings, including butter, cheese, and bacon.
Soda Bread
Soda bread is a dense, slightly sweet bread made with baking soda instead of yeast. It is a staple in many Irish households and is often served for breakfast, toasted and spread with butter. Soda bread is made with a mixture of flour, baking soda, salt, and buttermilk, and is quickly formed into a loaf and baked. The result is a dense, flavorful bread with a slightly crunchy crust.
Irish Oatmeal
Irish oatmeal is a type of oatmeal made with steel-cut oats that are cooked in milk and sweetened with sugar, honey, or syrup. Steel-cut oats are whole oat groats that have been cut into smaller pieces, giving the oatmeal a hearty, nutty flavor. Irish oatmeal is a nutritious and filling breakfast option and is often enjoyed in Ireland.
Scrambled Eggs
Scrambled eggs are a popular breakfast dish made with eggs that are beaten and cooked over low heat until they form soft, creamy curds. The eggs are seasoned with salt and pepper and can be served with a variety of toppings, including cheese, herbs, or bacon.
Toasties
Toasties are grilled cheese sandwiches made with Irish cheddar cheese and ham or bacon. The ingredients are layered between slices of bread, which are then toasted until the cheese is melted and the bread is crispy. Toasties are a popular and convenient breakfast option in Ireland.
Bacon and Cabbage
Bacon and cabbage is a traditional Irish dish made with bacon, cabbage, and potatoes that is often served for breakfast. The bacon is fried until crispy, and the cabbage is steamed or boiled until tender. The potatoes are boiled until tender and then mashed. The bacon and cabbage are then served alongside the mashed potatoes, creating a hearty and filling breakfast dish.
Traditional Irish Breakfast – Regional Breakfast in Ireland
Ulster Fry
The Ulster Fry is a hearty breakfast that originates from Northern Ireland. It typically includes bacon, sausage, black pudding, fried eggs, potato bread, and soda bread.
Cork Fry
The Cork Fry is a breakfast dish that originates from the Cork region in southern Ireland. It typically includes bacon, sausage, black pudding, pudding, eggs, and grilled tomatoes.
Connemara Breakfast
The Connemara Breakfast is a traditional breakfast dish from the Connemara region of western Ireland. It includes black pudding, bacon, pudding, and a grilled tomato.
Clonakilty Breakfast
The Clonakilty Breakfast is a breakfast dish that originates from the Clonakilty region in West Cork. It includes black pudding, bacon, and eggs, along with a selection of grilled mushrooms, tomatoes, and potatoes.
Breakfast in Ireland – Irish Breakfast Drinks
Irish Tea
Tea is the most popular drink for breakfast in Ireland and is usually served black with milk.
Irish Coffee
Coffee is also popular in Ireland and is often served as an espresso or cappuccino. There is of course the traditional Irish coffee, one you will NOT EAT during breakfast itself, but is actually a caffeinated alcoholic Irish drink.
Orange juice
Freshly squeezed orange juice is another common drink for breakfast in Ireland.
Milk
Milk is often consumed with breakfast in Ireland, either on its own or as an ingredient in cereal or porridge.
Smoothies
Smoothies made with fruit and yogurt are becoming increasingly popular in Ireland as a healthy breakfast drink.
Guinness
While not a traditional breakfast drink, some people in Ireland may enjoy a pint of Guinness with their breakfast, particularly on the weekends.
Where to Stay in Ireland
Accommodation in Ireland is very expensive than in any other country around Euro. You can access a dorm that can go up to €18-30. And while a hotel that is a double room in a budget can go up to €90. The prices vary depending on how much luxurious you want.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION IN IRELAND BEFORE YOUR TRIP WITH BOOKING
Hope you liked our Irish food blog post. Which one of the Irish dishes is your favorite in Irish cuisine? Are we missing any traditional food in Ireland to try? Let us know in the comments below.
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues to share his travel experiences alongside his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.