There is perhaps no meal more legendary or satisfying than the Traditional Full Irish Breakfast. Far more than just a morning meal, it is a cultural institution—a plate piled high with hearty, savory comfort food designed to sustain you through a long day. While typically cooked in a frying pan in a cozy kitchen, taking this feast to the Arteflame Grill transforms it into a spectacular outdoor culinary event. The Arteflame’s unique design allows you to cook every single element of the "fry up" simultaneously on the plancha-style griddle, ensuring that the sausages are sizzling while the eggs gently fry, all without overcrowding a single pan. The high heat sears the meats to perfection, locking in juices, while the varying heat zones allow you to manage delicate items like tomatoes and eggs with ease. Whether you are curing a hangover or hosting a Sunday brunch, this recipe brings the authentic taste of the Emerald Isle straight to your backyard.
Ingredients
- 4 Traditional Irish Pork Sausages (Bangers)
- 4 Slices of Irish Bacon (Rashers - back bacon is preferred over belly bacon)
- 4 Slices of Black Pudding
- 4 Slices of White Pudding
- 4 Large Eggs
- 2 Large Tomatoes, halved horizontally
- 1 cup Button Mushrooms, cleaned and halved
- 4 Slices of Potato Bread (or Soda Bread Farls)
- 1 can of Baked Beans (to be warmed in a small cast iron pot on the grill)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 3 tbsp Unsalted Butter (for the grill surface)
- High-heat cooking oil (like Grapeseed or Canola) for seasoning the grill
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Arteflame Grill
- Start your fire in the center of the Arteflame grill about 20 minutes before cooking. You want a mature fire with plenty of heat radiating to the outer steel cooktop.
- Once the cooktop is hot, scrape down any residue and apply a thin layer of high-heat cooking oil to season the surface.
- Identify your heat zones: the area closest to the fire is for high-heat searing (sausages and pudding), while the outer edges are perfect for eggs and warming bread.
Step 2: Cook the Meats
- Place the Irish sausages on the grill first, positioning them closer to the center where the heat is higher. They take the longest to cook. Roll them occasionally for even browning.
- Once the sausages have been cooking for about 5 minutes, add the rashers (bacon), black pudding, and white pudding slices to the hot zone.
- Cook the rashers until the fat renders and they become slightly crispy at the edges. Sear the pudding slices for 2-3 minutes per side until they develop a crust.
Step 3: Grill the Vegetables and Bread
- While the meats are sizzling, melt a tablespoon of butter on a medium-heat section of the cooktop.
- Place the tomato halves (cut side down) and mushrooms on the buttered area. Season with salt and pepper. Grill the tomatoes until charred and softened, and sauté the mushrooms until golden.
- Add the potato bread or soda farls to the grill, toasting them in the bacon fat or a little extra butter until golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- Place a small cast iron pot containing the baked beans on the flat top or grate to warm through.
Step 4: Fry the Eggs and Serve
- Move the cooked meats and vegetables to the outer rim of the grill to keep warm without overcooking.
- Clean a spot on the cooler outer ring of the cooktop and add a dab of fresh butter. Crack the eggs onto the flat surface.
- Cook the eggs sunny-side up (or to your preference). The lower heat at the edge prevents the bottoms from burning before the whites set.
- Assemble your Full Irish Breakfast on warm plates, piling the sausages, rashers, puddings, veg, and bread high, with the egg placed gently on top or to the side.
Tips
Cooking a Full Irish Breakfast on the Arteflame is all about timing and heat management. Because the steel cooktop has different temperature zones, you can master the logistics of this multi-ingredient meal better than you ever could on a stove. Always start with the sausages, as they require the most time to cook through; if you cook them too fast on high heat, the skins will burst while the inside remains raw. Use the center of the grill to get a hard sear on the black and white puddings—this texture contrast between the crispy exterior and soft interior is crucial for an authentic experience. For the eggs, resist the urge to cook them near the center. The gentle heat of the outer ring mimics a low-flame skillet perfectly, giving you glossy whites and runny yolks without the crispy, burnt edges that high heat produces. Finally, utilize the bacon fat rendered on the grill to fry your potato bread for extra flavor.
Variations
While the ingredients listed above constitute a traditional fry up, regional variations across Ireland and personal preferences allow for plenty of creativity. The beauty of the Arteflame is that you have the space to accommodate everyone's specific requests without dirtying extra pans. Some people prefer a strictly vegetarian version, swapping the meat for veggie sausages and grilling halloumi cheese, which crisps beautifully on the flat top. Others might want to incorporate American influences or specific regional Irish touches. Here are a few ways to mix up your morning feast:
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The Ulster Fry: Swap the potato bread for soda bread farls and add savory pancakes.
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The Hash Addition: Add crispy hash browns or bubble and squeak (fried leftover potato and cabbage) to the grill.
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The Seafood Twist: In coastal areas, some add kippers (smoked herring) or sautéed kidneys, though this is more old-school.
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Cheesy Indulgence: Sprinkle sharp Irish cheddar over the beans or the mushrooms as they finish cooking.
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Spicy Kick: Dust the tomatoes with cayenne pepper or paprika while grilling for a modern heat.
Best pairings
A heavy, rich meal like the Full Irish Breakfast requires a beverage that can cut through the savory fats and cleanse the palate. The absolute standard pairing is a steaming mug of strong Irish Breakfast Tea—brands like Barry’s or Lyons are the authentic choices—served with milk and sugar. The tannins in the tea balance the richness of the sausages and pudding perfectly. If you are enjoying this as a late morning brunch on a weekend, a pint of Guinness is a culturally acceptable and delicious accompaniment; the creamy stout complements the earthy flavors of the black pudding. For a lighter option, freshly squeezed orange juice provides a citric acidity that brightens the meal. Condiment-wise, this dish is rarely served without a bottle of Chef Sauce or HP Brown Sauce on the table; the tangy, vinegary sweetness is the traditional dipping sauce for sausages and bacon in Ireland.
Conclusion
Mastering the Irish Breakfast Fry Up on your Arteflame Grill is more than just cooking a recipe; it is about creating a communal experience centered around warmth and abundance. The sight of steam rising from the grill in the crisp morning air, combined with the intoxicating aroma of sizzling bacon and sausages, creates an atmosphere of hospitality that is hard to beat. This meal is designed to be shared, encouraging laughter and conversation as everyone gathers around the fire to watch their breakfast come to life. By moving the kitchen outdoors, you elevate a humble comfort food into a memorable event. Whether you are feeding a hungry family or treating friends to a gourmet brunch, this Full Irish Fry Up guarantees that no one leaves the table hungry. So, fire up the grill, brew the tea, and enjoy the taste of Ireland.