My Irish grandmother swears by this hearty comfort meal for chilly March nights. It is cheap, filling, and tastes like home.
Slow Cooker 5-Ingredient Irish Coddle
This slow cooker Irish coddle is a classic, hearty dish rooted in simple, traditional cooking. It combines pork sausages and thick-cut bacon with potatoes and onions, all gently cooked in broth. Instead of relying on heavy seasoning, the flavors develop naturally as the meats release their fats, blending with the starch from the potatoes to create a light, golden broth. The result is a rich yet comforting stew with tender vegetables and a rustic, home-style feel.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs pork sausages (bangers or thick-style)
- 2 lbs potatoes (white or russet), cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks
- 6 oz thick-cut bacon, chopped
- 2 large yellow onions, sliced
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
Instructions
Step 1: Brown the Meats
In a skillet, cook the sausages until browned on all sides, about 8–10 minutes. In the same pan, cook the chopped bacon until crisp.
Tip: Browning the meat first adds depth of flavor that a slow cooker alone can’t achieve, helping build a richer final dish.
Step 2: Slice the Sausages
Cut the browned sausages into thick 1 1/2-inch pieces so they stay juicy and hold their shape during cooking.
Step 3: Layer the Ingredients
Place the potatoes in the bottom of a 4–6 quart slow cooker, then add the sliced onions. Arrange the sausage pieces and bacon on top.
Tip: Keeping the potatoes on the bottom ensures they cook evenly and become soft and tender.
Step 4: Cook the Coddle
Pour the broth over the ingredients—it shouldn’t fully cover them. Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.
How to tell it’s ready: The potatoes should be fork-tender, and the onions should be soft and almost melted into the broth.
Step 5: Finish Gently
Give the mixture a light stir before serving, just enough to distribute the flavors without breaking up the potatoes.
