Best Irish Boxty Recipe Inspired By Bricin In Killarney, Ireland (2024)

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This Irish Boxty Recipe with fillings is inspired by Bricin in Killarney, Ireland

The first time I tasted an authentic Irish Boxty was in Killarney, Ireland at Bricin Restaurant and Craft Shop.One bite and I was hooked.

Best Irish Boxty Recipe Inspired By Bricin In Killarney, Ireland (1)

The menu even included an old Irish saying about the Boxty:

“Boxty on the griddle, boxty on the pan; if you can’t make a boxty, you’ll never get a man.”

During my 10-day journey around the Republic of Ireland, I had the pleasure of trying many traditional Irish dishes. Out of all the delicious food I sampled, the Boxty stood out as my favorite, and I am excited to recreate it at home.

Irish Boxty Recipe with Fillings

An Irish Boxty is a traditional Irish Potato Pancake made with grated raw potatoes and mashed potatoes cooked on the griddle with a choice of fillings.

According to The Diner’s Dictionary: Word Origins of Food & Drink, the term “Boxty” possibly comes “from the Irisharán bocht tímeaning “poor house bread”orbácúsdenoting something used for baking, such as an oven or griddle.”

Best Irish Boxty Recipe Inspired By Bricin In Killarney, Ireland (2)

While most Irish Boxty recipes are paired with a meat filling like beef, lamb, or chicken, the Boxty I first tried in Killarney was filled with a hearty and delicious mushroom sauce which is what is included for this boxty recipe.

How to Make This Irish Boxty Recipe

Start by making the mashed potato. Peel, wash, and dice 1 medium potato. Cook in boiling water for 12 – 15 minutes until potato is tender. Drain the water, add 1 tbsp of butter, 2 tbsp of milk, and salt and pepper to taste. Then mash until creamy.

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Peel, wash, then grate the 2nd potato. Place grated potato in a colander to drain; squeeze to remove excess liquid. Pat dry with a paper towel.

In a large bowl, combine the grated potato, milk, flour, mashed potato, salt and pepper.

Let stand for 20 minutes. This step is key to allowing the boxty batter to thicken.

While the boxy batter is thickening, in a large nonstick skillet, heat oil and melt butter over medium-high heat. (If using frozen mushrooms, be sure to defrost and drain first to avoid overly thinning the sauce.)
Add mushrooms to skillet and leisurely cook, without crowding them, until golden brown. 4-5 min.

Best Irish Boxty Recipe Inspired By Bricin In Killarney, Ireland (5)

Just before they are done, add the garlic, salt, and pepper. Add white wine and stir for 1 minute. Add broth, cream, and parmesan and stir, bringing the sauce to a strong simmer. Cook time may vary, but 8-10 minutes at a simmer should bring the sauce to desired consistency.

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Once the sauce has thickened to a gravy-like consistency, add the thyme then remove from heat and keep warm.

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For Boxty
Coat a 10-inch nonstick skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium heat. When the skillet is hot, pour 3/4 cup of batter into the center of the skillet; spread batter evenly (I use the bottom of the plastic measuring cup I used to pour the batter to spread it evenly into a circle, like a pancake or crepe).

Cook until the top of the boxty appears dry and bubbles appear; you’ll see the boxty turning a shade darker as it cooks from the outside edges inward (about 3 -4 minutes).

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Flip the boxty over using a spatula and cook 3 minutes longer or until golden brown on each side.

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Remove from pan and keep warm on a plate with a cover. Repeat with the remaining batter, coating the skillet with cooking spray as needed.

Combine
Once you’ve made your boxties, spoon 1/4 cup of filling into the center of the potato pancakes and fold over. Finish by topping each one with the remaining sauce. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Print

Best Irish Boxty Recipe Inspired By Bricin In Killarney, Ireland (11)

Best Ever Irish Boxty Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star5 from 22 reviews

  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: Irish
Print Recipe

Description

After a little trial and error, I managed to re-create this traditional Irish specialty, and while I make my Irish Boxty with a creamy mushroom filling, get creative and serve your boxty with a chicken or beef filling or a range of other vegetables to suit your taste.

Slàinte!

Ingredients

UnitsScale

For Boxty

  • 1 medium potato (peeled & grated – makes about 1 cup)
  • 3/4 cup potato, mashed
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp milk
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper

For Mushroom Filling

  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1/2 tbsp olive oil
  • 10 oz sliced mushrooms (if using frozen, be sure to drain excess liquid to avoid overly thinning the sauce)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 2 garlic cloves (minced)
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine (white vermouth or sherry works well too)
  • 1/2 cup vegetable or chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 tsp fresh thyme (1/2 tsp dried thyme)

Instructions

For Boxty

Start by making the mashed potato. Peel, wash, and dice 1 medium potato. Cook in boiling water for 12 – 15 minutes until potato is tender. Drain the water, add 1 tbsp of butter, 2 tbsp of milk, and salt and pepper to taste. Then mash until creamy.

Peel, wash, then grate the 2nd potato. Place grated potato in a colander to drain; squeeze to remove excess liquid. Pat dry with a paper towel.

In a large bowl, combine the grated potato, milk, flour, mashed potato, salt and pepper.

Let stand for 20 minutes. This step is key to allowing the boxty batter to thicken.

For Mushroom Filling
While the boxy batter is thickening, in a large nonstick skillet, heat oil and melt butter over medium-high heat. (If using frozen mushrooms, be sure to defrost and drain first to avoid overly thinning the sauce.)

Add mushrooms to skillet and leisurely cook, without crowding them, until golden brown. 4-5 min.

Just before they are done, add the garlic, salt, and pepper. Add white wine and stir for 1 minute. Add broth, cream, and parmesan and stir, bringing the sauce to a strong simmer. Cook time may vary, but 8-10 minutes at a simmer should bring the sauce to desired consistency.

Once the sauce has thickened to a gravy-like consistency, add the thyme then remove from heat and keep warm.

For Boxty
Coat a 10-inch nonstick skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium heat. When the skillet is hot, pour 3/4 cup of batter into the center of the skillet; spread batter evenly (I use the bottom of the plastic measuring cup I used to pour the batter to spread it evenly into a circle, like a pancake or crepe).

Cook until the top of the boxty appears dry and bubbles appear; you’ll see the boxty turning a shade darker as it cooks from the outside edges inward (about 3 -4 minutes).

Flip the boxty over using a spatula and cook 3 minutes longer or until golden brown on each side.

Remove from pan and keep warm on a plate with a cover. Repeat with the remaining batter, coating the skillet with cooking spray as needed.

Combine
Once you’ve made your boxties, spoon 1/4 cup of filling into the center of the potato pancakes and fold over. Finish by topping each one with the remaining sauce. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Nutrition

  • Calories: 434

Recipe Card powered byBest Irish Boxty Recipe Inspired By Bricin In Killarney, Ireland (12)

Tried this recipe? I would love to hear from you! If you have a moment, please leave a star rating and drop me a comment below.

Hungry for more? Check out The Best Mushroom Bourguignon Recipe.

Best Irish Boxty Recipe Inspired By Bricin In Killarney, Ireland (2024)

FAQs

What does boxty mean in Irish? ›

'Boxty' originates in the 1700s and may get its name from the Irish 'arán bocht tí', meaning 'poor house bread', due to its humble ingredients, making it a staple in Irish households where potatoes were relied upon to survive. It is a simple potato pancake using mashed and/or grated potatoes.

What's the difference between boxty and farls? ›

Irish potato cakes: Irish potato cakes are typically made from mashed potato, and flour or baking soda, and are usually fried. It differs from boxty as boxty is made of raw potatoes whereas potato cake is made from cooked potatoes.

What do you eat with Irish boxty? ›

Serve your Boxty with:
  1. Poached Eggs and Crispy Bacon.
  2. Poached Smoked Haddock and parsley sauce.
  3. Smoked Salmon and Sour Cream.
  4. Smoked Bacon and Melted Cheese.

When should I eat boxty? ›

It's commonly served with smoked salmon, sour cream, sausages, fried eggs, bacon, lamb chops, and even the notorious Irish beef stew. Boxty is regularly eaten at breakfast, but it's really a food you can enjoy any time of day. It's just that good.

What is potato slang for in Irish? ›

Spuds. We can't talk about Irish slang without mentioning potatoes! “Spuds” is another word for potatoes.

What is the Irish nickname for potatoes? ›

The common word for potato in Irish is práta (pl. prátaí), though in the West of Ireland, fata (pl. fataí) is used, while an early way of referring to the potato was An Spáinneach (meaning the Spaniard, and which is now usually translated to mean sweet potato).

Who invented boxty? ›

Boxty originated in Ireland sometime in the late 18th century, primarily in the northern counties of Cavan and Donegal. Now they're eaten all over Ireland, usually alongside meat or stew.

Is boxty Scottish or Irish? ›

Boxty is a traditional Irish potato pancake made with leftover mashed potato and grated raw potato. An old Irish rhyme goes: "Boxty on the griddle, boxty on the pan; if you can't make boxty, you'll never get a man." Our family has been making this delicious recipe for years!

Are potato cakes Irish or Scottish? ›

What do British people call potato cakes? It seems the Irish call them Potato bread, the English call them potato cakes (Lancashire), Scottish call them potato scones (tottie scones). Irish potato bread is typically made from mashed potato, and either flour or baking soda, and is usually fried.

What is the most common Irish meal? ›

One of the most popular and iconic Irish foods is undoubtedly the traditional Irish stew. This hearty dish typically consists of tender chunks of meat (such as lamb or beef), potatoes, onions, carrots, and sometimes other vegetables like celery or parsnips.

What is a true Irish meal? ›

We eat traditional Irish food: cabbage, bacon, potatoes - actually a delicious dinner when accompanied by white sauce. Sausages, black pudding, white pudding (neither of these are desserts), turnips, parsnips, carrots, fish, chicken, duck etc etc. Fish & chips. We are an island nation, so there's a lot of seafood.

What is the Irish special meal? ›

Colcannon and champ

Colcannon is a classic, comforting mash of potatoes, cabbage (or kale) and butter (or cream), flavoured with spring onions. Champ is a similar, mashed potato favourite, flavoured with spring onions, milk and butter. Try making your own... Colcannon or champ made with mustard or celeriac.

What is a fun fact about boxty? ›

The most noticeable difference between boxty and other fried potato dishes is its smooth, fine-grained consistency. An old Irish rhyme is: "Boxty on the griddle; boxty on the pan. If you can't make boxty, you'll never get a man!" As the interest in Irish cuisine has increased, so the popularity of boxty has risen.

What does "Irish coddle" mean? ›

The word “Coddle” derives from the French term caudle which means to boil gently, parboil or stew. Apparently, coddle dates back to the first Irish famine in the late 1700s where anything to hand got thrown into the pot.

What is the difference between Colcannon and Champ? ›

What's the Difference Between Champ and Colcannon? Champ and colcannon are both favorite Irish mashed potato dishes. They're very similar, though champ recipes tend to feature spring onions (scallions) alone, while colcannon adds cabbage, kale, or leeks.

Why is boxty called boxty? ›

Some say that the name boxty derives from the Irish language name of arán bocht tí, with the literal meaning of poor house bread. Others say it comes from the word bacstaí – to bake. Its origin dates back to before the famine times.

What is the origin of the word boxty? ›

Etymology. Likely Irish, possibly from the Irish arán bocht tí meaning "poor house bread" or bácús meaning "bakehouse".

Why is boxty popular in Ireland? ›

Boxty is an authentic Irish dish which originated in the 1700s. It was a staple food in Irish households where potatoes were relied upon to survive.

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