Traditional Irish Colcannon is a delectable combination of creamy mashed potatoes and pan-fried cabbage lightly seasoned with salt and black pepper. It is truly a match made in heaven and a must-try for those who have not experienced this tasty dish.
Indulge in this hearty Irish dish featuring creamy mashed potatoes, savoy cabbage, and crispy bacon. Follow our step-by-step recipe for a delicious colcannon that will surely be a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Potatoes: I use a mixture of Russet and Yukon Gold potatoes for this recipe, but you can use one or the other if desired.
- Butter: unsalted or salted. If using salted butter, reduce the amount of added salt.
- Heavy cream: half and half or whole milk
- Onion: sweet yellow or Vidalia onions
- Green Cabbage: For aesthetic purposes and the recipe’s tradition, stick with green cabbage.
How To Make Colcannon
This is the summary version; see the recipe card below for the complete list of ingredients and the instructions.
Oh my goodness, you won’t believe how incredibly easy this recipe is. You make buttery, creamy mashed potatoes and add pan-fried cabbage, a little pan-fried onion, and crisp bacon. The dish is lightly seasoned with salt and freshly ground black pepper. It’s so simple, and you won’t believe how marvelous it tastes!
Preparation Tips and Storage
- If you are always pressed for time, you can cook the bacon up to 3 days in advance and store it in a sealed zipper bag in the fridge. The potatoes can be peeled and soaked in cold water for up to four hours before boiling.
- If you are cooking the bacon simultaneously in the oven or the skillet, reserve 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat and use it instead of 2 tablespoons of butter for pan-frying the cabbage and onion.
- Add a sprinkle of leeks, green onions, or chives to the potato mixture for even more flavor.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. This delectable dish reheats well in the microwave at reduced power or on the stovetop over low heat.
Serving Suggestions
It is one of my favorites, and I love serving it with baked ham, slow cooker corned beef, and turkey meatloaf. This tasty side dish comes together quickly and easily without complicated techniques or ingredients.
Perhaps you are cooking a big Irish feast with Irish soda bread, Irish stew, and Irish nachos. Whatever you decide to do, these potatoes should be part of your celebration. They are so amazing that they will become part of your regular meal rotation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Colcannon is a traditional Irish dish of mashed potatoes with cabbage or kale. It’s so easy to make yet so delicious. Even the novice cook can confidently make this dish. If you can mash potatoes and fry cabbage, then you can master this recipe.
Freeze these potatoes in a heavy-duty freezer bag for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator. Because of the high moisture content in both potatoes and cabbage, you may need to rework the mash with some butter, sour cream, or cream cheese to return to its original texture and consistency.
More Potato Recipes
Irish Colcannon Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 large russet potatoes peeled and cut into large chunks
- 3 large Yukon Gold potatoes peeled and chunked
- 7 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup heavy cream or whole milk
- 1 medium onion chopped
- ½ head green cabbage chopped
- 6 slices crispy cooked bacon coarsely chopped
- kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
- Place potatoes in a large saucepan with enough lightly salted water to cover. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until fork tender. Drain well, making sure to remove excess water. Add 4 tablespoons butter and cream. Cover the pot and let the butter melt.
- Meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until tender. Add cabbage and cook until tender and lightly browned on the edges: approximately 7-8 minutes.
- Mash potatoes with a potato masher and gently stir in the cabbage mixture and half of the chopped bacon. Season with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste. Top with the remaining chopped bacon. Transfer to a serving bowl. Cut the remaining tablespoon of butter into pats. Make a small well on top and add the remaining butter.
Notes
- Are you always pushed for time? Then cook the bacon up to 3 days in advance and store it in a sealed zipper bag in the fridge. The potatoes can be peeled and soaked in cold water for up to 4 hours before they are boiled.
- If cooking the bacon simultaneously, whether in the oven or the skillet. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat and use it in place of 2 tablespoons of butter for pan-frying the cabbage and onion.
- Add a sprinkle of leeks, green onions, or chives to the potato mixture for even more flavor.
Nutrition
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Andrea
OH my does this sound amazing! I can’t wait to make this and devour it!
Alison
Mashed potatoes and cabbage! Why have I never made this before! Putting it on my St. Patrick’s Day menu!
Aimee Mars
I’ve never had colcannon before, but it sounds amazing! It’s a super hearty but flavorful side dish. I’m going to make this for dinner on St. Patrick’s Day.
Biana
Yum! This looks so delicious, and perfect for St Patrick’s Day!
Katie Beck
This was a huge hit with my family – we had never tried before! Thanks for the recipe.
Tezrah
This works well with red skin potatoes. No peeling needed.
Alisa Infanti
I have never heard of this dish before so the adventurer in me gave it a try last night and it was delicious! Thanks for sharing
Beth Pierce
Thanks Alisa! So glad that you liked it! I love it as well. It is so delicious!!
Angela Allison
This recipe is heavenly!! So flavorful, creamy, and delicious. The combination of potatoes and cabbage is perfection. Thanks so much for sharing.
Alisha Rodrigues
I like how you’ve combined simple ingredients to make a creamy and delicious salad. Would definitely make a good side dish on my dinner table
Michelle
This made me incredibly homesick! This is just like my Mum makes it! And perfect any time of the year.
Tonje
This was way easier than I thought, and what a great way to add vegetables to mashed potatoes!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
This couldn’t look any more perfect!
Sara Welch
Loved how perfectly smooth and crisp this was! Made a great side dish with dinner; hands down delicious!
Vikki
Incredibly delicious! Family loved it
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Vicki! Enjoy!
Kimberly
One of my all-time favorites, it’s the ultimate comfort dishes for potato lovers!
Amanda
This looks so amazing I cannot wait to try!
Nonna
Delicious! This will be on our rotation on our menu, but especially on St. Patti’s. The family loved it!
Beth Pierce
That is awesome, Nonna!