Dublin Coddle
A hearty and comforting Irish sausage and bacon stew, where potatoes and onions are slowly simmered to perfection. A true taste of Dublin's working-class heritage.
🧂 Ingredients
- 8 Pork sausages(Good quality, thick pork sausages (e.g., Cumberland or Irish pork sausages))
- 8 Bacon rashers(Streaky bacon or unsmoked back bacon, cut into 2-3 cm pieces)
- 1 kg Potatoes(Waxy potatoes like Maris Piper, Desiree, or Yukon Gold, peeled and cut into 2-3 cm chunks)
- 2 Onions(Medium-sized, peeled and thinly sliced)
- 500 ml Chicken stock(Low-sodium chicken stock or vegetable stock)
- 1/2 cup Fresh parsley(Chopped, for garnish)
- for serving Soda bread(Warm, with butter)
- to taste Salt(Optional, as bacon and sausages are salty)
- to taste Black pepper(Freshly ground)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add the sausages and bacon. Brown the sausages on all sides until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes. Cook the bacon until it begins to crisp, about another 3-5 minutes. Remove the sausages and bacon from the pot with a slotted spoon and set aside. Leave the rendered fat in the pot.
⏱️ 10-12 minutes - 2
Add the sliced onions to the pot and sauté in the rendered fat until softened and lightly golden, about 5-7 minutes. Add the potato chunks to the pot and stir to coat them lightly in the fat. Season with freshly ground black pepper. If using, add a pinch of salt, but be mindful of the saltiness from the bacon and sausages.
⏱️ 5-7 minutes - 3
Arrange the browned sausages and crispy bacon pieces over the potato and onion mixture. Pour the chicken stock evenly over the ingredients in the pot. The liquid should come about halfway up the ingredients; do not submerge them completely. Cover the pot tightly with a lid. If your lid isn't a tight fit, you can use a layer of parchment paper under the lid for a better seal.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 4
Reduce the heat to low and let the coddle simmer very gently for at least 2 hours, or until the potatoes are tender and the sausages are cooked through. The key is a very low, slow simmer – you should see only the occasional bubble. Avoid stirring the coddle during this time to allow the layers to meld and cook undisturbed.
⏱️ 2 hours - 5
Once the potatoes are tender and the flavors have melded, remove the lid. Ladle the Dublin Coddle into warm bowls, ensuring each serving gets a good mix of sausages, bacon, potatoes, and onions. Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley. Serve immediately with warm soda bread and plenty of butter for dipping.
⏱️ 5 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Low and slow is key: A gentle simmer allows the ingredients to cook through and meld flavors without becoming mushy.
- ✓Don't stir: Resist the urge to stir the coddle while it's simmering. This helps maintain the distinct layers and prevents the potatoes from breaking down too much.
- ✓Traditionally made on Saturday: This dish was historically a hearty Saturday night meal, perfect for a leisurely weekend.
- ✓Ingredient quality matters: Using good quality sausages and bacon will significantly enhance the flavor of the final dish.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add 1/2 cup of pearl barley along with the potatoes for a heartier texture.
- Include 2-3 chopped carrots with the potatoes for added sweetness and color.
- A splash of Guinness can be added to the stock for a deeper, richer flavor.