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

Jump to Recipe·5 from 22 reviews

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.

Best Irish Boxty Recipe Inspired By Bricin In Killarney, Ireland (3)

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.

Best Irish Boxty Recipe Inspired By Bricin In Killarney, Ireland (6)

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

Best Irish Boxty Recipe Inspired By Bricin In Killarney, Ireland (7)

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).

Best Irish Boxty Recipe Inspired By Bricin In Killarney, Ireland (8)

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

Best Irish Boxty Recipe Inspired By Bricin In Killarney, Ireland (9)

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.

What is the difference between boxty and potato cakes? ›

'What makes boxty different to other potato breads is you grate the raw potato and extract the moisture out of it and add that back into it with some mash…if it's all mash, it's not boxty, definitely not. ' Pádraic Óg explains.

What is the difference between boxty and latkes? ›

Boxty is different from other potato pancakes or latkes, and you'll see that once you bite into one and notice the crispy hash brown-like outside and soft, dough-like inside.

What is a Fermanagh boxty? ›

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!

What is the national dish in Ireland? ›

Irish Stew is a thick, hearty dish of mutton, potatoes, and onions and undisputedly the national dish of Ireland.

What does a mac mean in Irish? ›

Many Irish surnames have "Mc" as a prefix because of the Gaelic language, which was widely spoken in Ireland until the late 18th century. The "Mc" prefix comes from "mac," which means "son of." This prefix was used to create a patronymic surname, indicating a person's lineage or family history.

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.

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.

Who created 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.

What is the difference between Colcannon and Champ? ›

What is the difference between Colcannon and Champ? Both Irish dishes, Champ is mashed potatoes with chopped spring onions (scallions) and milk. Colcannon is Champ with the addition of cabbage and sometimes some herbs.

Why are latkes served with applesauce? ›

The sweet tang of applesauce adds a contrasty punch to the potatoes and green onions, which make up latkes, while also cutting the grease from frying them. On the other hand, sour cream, while also adding its own version of tartness, can weigh the fried potato cakes down with dairy.

What does Fermanagh mean in Irish? ›

County Fermanagh (/fərˈmænə/ fər-MAN-ə; from Irish Fir Manach / Fear Manach, meaning 'men of Manach') is one of the thirty-two counties of Ireland, one of the nine counties of Ulster and one of six counties of Northern Ireland.

What food can you only get in Northern Ireland? ›

Check out our top traditional dishes and drinks we can't resist:
  • Fifteens. These sticky rounds, kissed with coconut and bejewelled with glistening cherries and chunks of yielding marshmallow, are a traditional favourite. ...
  • Ulster Fry. ...
  • Jammy Joey. ...
  • Dulse. ...
  • Boxty. ...
  • Yellow Man. ...
  • Potato Bread. ...
  • Mackle's Ice Cream.

What is another name for Ireland? ›

While Éire is simply the name for the island of Ireland in the Irish language, and sometimes used in English, Erin is a common poetic name for Ireland, as in Erin go bragh. The distinction between the two is one of the difference between cases of nouns in Irish.

What does colcannon mean in Gaelic? ›

The word colcannon is derived from the Irish word for white-headed cabbage, cál ceannann. Ultimately, many words associated with the brassica family of vegetables (cabbages, kale, mustard greens, etc.)

What does spud mean in Ireland? ›

“Spuds” is another word for potatoes.

How do you say mashed potatoes in Irish? ›

English–Irish Dictionary (de Bhaldraithe): Potato-mash. Potato-mash, brúitín m (prátaí). Mashed potatoes, brúitín m. Mashed potatoes, brúitín m, prátaí brúite.

What does Dudeen mean in Irish? ›

Irish. a short-stemmed clay tobacco pipe. Word origin. < Ir dūidīn, a little pipe < dūd, a pipe.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Kelle Weber

Last Updated:

Views: 6671

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (73 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Kelle Weber

Birthday: 2000-08-05

Address: 6796 Juan Square, Markfort, MN 58988

Phone: +8215934114615

Job: Hospitality Director

Hobby: tabletop games, Foreign language learning, Leather crafting, Horseback riding, Swimming, Knapping, Handball

Introduction: My name is Kelle Weber, I am a magnificent, enchanting, fair, joyous, light, determined, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.