Traditional Irish Colcannon Recipe - Tasting Table (2024)

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Traditional Irish Colcannon Recipe

Recipes Dish Type Side Dish Recipes

Traditional Irish Colcannon Recipe - Tasting Table (4)

Ting Dalton/Tasting Table

If you're craving mashed potatoes, why not try them the Irish way? There are plenty of ways to fix up this popular vegetable, but these Irish colcannon potatoes are super delicious and would be great to serve on St. Patrick's Day. If you're not familiar with exactlywhat Irish colcannon potatoes are, recipe developer Ting Dalton gives us a quick run-down, "It's a traditional Irish dish made of potatoes and cabbage," she shares. Although, you can sub in another green in place of the cabbage, as Dalton does in this recipe.

There is a lot to love about this dish. "Mashed potatoes are taken to a whole new level with this Irish colcannon recipe. [It's] buttery, smooth, and really delicious. This is a great side dish to accompany meats, [casseroles], or strews," Dalton says. "I love this dish because it's easy to make, and although it does have a lot of butter, it is another way to get my family to eat some greens."

Gather the ingredients for traditional Irish colcannon

Traditional Irish Colcannon Recipe - Tasting Table (5)

Ting Dalton/Tasting Table

To make these Irish colcannon potatoes, you'll need 4 russet potatoes, peeled and cut into large pieces. You'll also need salt, kale or cabbage, green onions, butter, and milk.

Boil the potatoes

Traditional Irish Colcannon Recipe - Tasting Table (6)

Ting Dalton/Tasting Table

Now it's time to start the prep work. Grab your chopped potatoes and place them in a large pot of boiling water.Add a pinch of salt to season the water as this will add flavor to the potatoes. Continue boiling the potatoes until they are fork-tender. This should only take about 15 minutes. Remove the potatoes from the heat and drain them in a colander.

Sauté the kale and onions

Traditional Irish Colcannon Recipe - Tasting Table (7)

Ting Dalton/Tasting Table

Grab a pan or skillet and place it on your stove. Turn the heat up to medium and add the butter. When the butter melts, add the kale and sauté for about 3-4 minutes, until it wilts. "If you don't have kale, you can also use green cabbage in the same way," Dalton shares. When the kale is wilted, add the green onions to the skillet.

Mash the potatoes and mix in the veggies

Traditional Irish Colcannon Recipe - Tasting Table (8)

Ting Dalton/Tasting Table

It's time to combine all of the veggies together. Put the potatoes back in the pot and mash them with a masher. Then, mix in the kale and green onions.

Add the milk for a creamier consistency. "If you want to substitute the milk for full cream, you can; it makes this dish very rich and decadent," Dalton shares.

Use a spoon and mix the ingredients so the potatoes become smooth. Add a teaspoon of salt, depending on taste.

Add the butter and serve

Traditional Irish Colcannon Recipe - Tasting Table (9)

Ting Dalton/Tasting Table

Once you finish mixing the potatoes, add a little more butter. "It's important to season the potatoes – I think one teaspoon of salt is enough, but you may want to add more. Don't scrimp on the butter," Dalton notes.

These potatoes would make a great side to accompany pretty much any protein. "This is a great dish to freeze for another time," Dalton shares. "Put it in a suitable container and freeze for up to 4 months. Defrost thoroughly before warming up in a microwave or on the stovetop."

We hope these potatoes hit the spot!

Traditional Irish Colcannon Recipe

5 from 90 ratings

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Switch out your standard mashed potatoes on St. Patrick's Day to enjoy the flavors of a traditional Irish colcannon version of the root vegetable.

Prep Time

10

minutes

Cook Time

25

minutes

Servings

4

Servings

Traditional Irish Colcannon Recipe - Tasting Table (10)

Total time: 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 russet potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks
  • 2 teaspoons salt, divided
  • 1 stick butter, plus more for serving
  • 3 cups chopped kale or cabbage
  • 3 green onions, finely chopped
  • 1 cup milk

Directions

  1. Put the chopped potatoes in a large pot of boiling water. Add a pinch of salt to season. Boil until the potatoes are fork-tender, about 15 minutes. Drain in a colander.
  2. Place a skillet on your stove and heat to medium. Add butter to the skillet. Once melted, add the kale and sauté until wilted, around 3-4 minutes. Then add the green onions.
  3. Put the potatoes back in the large pot and mash them with a masher before adding the kale and green onions.
  4. Add the milk to the pot. Using a spoon, mix the ingredients well, so it becomes smooth. Add 1 teaspoon salt, depending on taste.
  5. Serve with extra butter.

Nutrition

Calories per Serving443
Total Fat25.2 g
Saturated Fat15.7 g
Trans Fat0.9 g
Cholesterol66.8 mg
Total Carbohydrates49.1 g
Dietary Fiber3.9 g
Total Sugars5.1 g
Sodium831.3 mg
Protein8.1 g

The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Traditional Irish Colcannon Recipe - Tasting Table (11)

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Traditional Irish Colcannon Recipe - Tasting Table (2024)

FAQs

What is the Irish colcannon made of? ›

Colcannon is an Irish dish that's made of mashed potatoes, shredded cabbage or kale, green onions and tons of butter and whole milk. Sometimes crumbled bacon is added for an extra-succulent, salty flavor.

What's 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.

What does colcannon taste like? ›

Colcannon is full of flavor. If you like mashed potatoes, you'll most likely love this dish. The mashed potatoes get tons of flavor from the green onions and a nice texture from the chopped kale. We all love butter and milk in our potatoes, so that is also in this colcannon recipe with salt and pepper to taste!

Why is colcannon important in Ireland? ›

Colcannon is a hearty dish that has been eaten on Halloween night for years. Traditionally, a ring was hidden in the dish, and whoever was to find it would be likely to marry in the upcoming year! Colcannon was even paired with a little poem: Did you ever eat Colcannon, made from lovely pickled cream?

What does colcannon mean in English? ›

Colcannon is a mixture of cooked and shredded cabbage and mashed potatoes. The word colcannon is derived from the Gaelic term cal ceannann, which means "white-headed cabbage" — the vegetable most commonly mixed with potatoes in this dish.

Is colcannon the same as Bubble and Squeak? ›

He comments that although the basic ingredients of bubble and squeak and colcannon are similar, the two are very different dishes, the former being traditionally made from left-overs and fried to give a brown crust, and the latter "a completely separate dish of potato, spring onion and cabbage, served almost as creamed ...

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.

Which country would you be in if you ended up eating colcannon and champ? ›

Colcannon and Champ

Champ: Native to Northern Ireland, Champ looks similar to Colcannon. It differs though, in that it's made with scallions (or spring onions) and creamy mashed potatoes. Champ is great on its own, served steaming hot with extra butter. It's also the perfect side dish for good-quality sausages.

Do Irish people like mashed potatoes? ›

Potatoes are still a staple at most mealtimes, with traditional dishes remaining popular. 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.

Why are mashed potatoes called champ? ›

Champ is popular in Ulster, whilst colcannon is more so in the other three provinces of Ireland. It was customary to make champ with the first new potatoes harvested. The word champ has also been adopted into the popular Hiberno-English phrases, to be "as thick as champ", meaning to be stupid, ill-tempered or sullen.

Is corned beef and cabbage an Irish meal? ›

While corned beef and cabbage may not be a strictly Irish dish, it has become a popular part of Irish-American culture and is often associated with St. Patrick's Day celebrations. If you are looking for the best Deli near me to enjoy some good eats and drinks on St.

Why did the Irish only eat potatoes? ›

Why were potatoes so important to Ireland? The potato plant was hardy, nutritious, calorie-dense, and easy to grow in Irish soil. By the time of the famine, nearly half of Ireland's population relied almost exclusively on potatoes for their diet, and the other half ate potatoes frequently.

What did they eat in Ireland before potatoes? ›

Until the arrival of the potato in the 16th century, grains such as oats, wheat and barley, cooked either as porridge or bread, formed the staple of the Irish diet. The most common form of bread consisted of flatbread made from ground oats.

Why are Irish potatoes called Irish? ›

Potatoes are native to the Andes Mountains of South America. We call them Irish potatoes because the potato was first brought back to Europe in the 1500's and developed as a crop there. The Irish immigrants brought the culture of potato to the United States.

Why do the Irish eat corned beef and cabbage? ›

The Irish immigrants also realized that cabbage was a more readily available vegetable in America than in Ireland, where it was traditionally a fall and winter vegetable. So they combined the corned beef with cabbage to create a hearty, filling meal that was reminiscent of their homeland.

What did the Irish eat instead of potatoes? ›

Until the arrival of the potato in the 16th century, grains such as oats, wheat and barley, cooked either as porridge or bread, formed the staple of the Irish diet. The most common form of bread consisted of flatbread made from ground oats.

What is a traditional Irish potato basket? ›

Skibs were a traditional basket from the West of Ireland used to strain and then serve potatoes. The skib was placed at the centre of the gathering, in some cases in place of a table, and used as a communal serving plate for potatoes.

What is the Irish word for mashed potatoes? ›

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

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