Step 1

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

Step 2

Place the flour, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl and whisk to combine.

Step 3

Add about 1 1/4 cups of the buttermilk to the flour mixture, working it into a shaggy dough with clean hands.

Step 4

If the dough seems too dry, add more buttermilk until a sticky dough is formed.

Step 5

Knead the dough a few times (being careful not to overwork it), then transfer it to a baking sheet and pat it to a thickness of about 1 1/2-inches.

Step 6

Score the dough in a criss-cross pattern with a floured knife, and puncture each of the 4 quarters with the tip of the knife.

Step 7

Bake the soda bread for 15 minutes at 450 degrees, then turn the oven temperature down to 400 degrees and bake for another 25 minutes.

Step 8

Turn the bread upside down and continue to bake at 400 degrees for another 5 minutes.

Step 9

Tap the loaf with your fingertips- it should make a hollow sound and be golden brown and crusty.